The more allies Rome had the more territory it could have under its control. Also the other places bring new cultures into Rome so that it could grow in that aspect as well.
The man being described here is Prince Henry the Navigator. Prince Henry was a Portuguese man who helped spark the age of exploration. He is known for his several contributions to this era, including:
1) Opening of a school for navigation in Sagres, Portugal.
2) Mapping the west coast of Africa.
3) Laid the foundation for individuals like Christopher Columbus, Vasco Da Gama, and John Cabot.
The answer to this question would be 'true'