v/Lewis-Hanke-Aristotle-and-the-American-Indians ii

AMERICA AS FANTASY



Later Iberian Medieval History

1. Peaceful Cultural Osmosis no discernible upheavals
2. 15th Century Conquest Canary Islands foreshadowing conquest of the Americas
3. Disputes justice of treatment of the Natives foreshadowing 16th century discussions in America
4. Portugal brought to Europe a knowledge of far off and strange peoples
5. Disputes on treatment of natives  Physical subjections and cruelties justified 
6. Of minor importance with benefits derived from conversion
7. Waging war in Africa with full papal support
8. Spaniards first to have Christian laws to govern relations with the Indians.

TRAVEL LITERATURE AND THE PRINTING PRESS

• America at first of little interest to Europe
• Feats of Spanish arms Mexico and Peru
• New possessions became better understood
• Historian Francisco Lopez de Gomara
• Spaniards and new world through Medieval Spectacles

1. Columbus Terrestrial Paradise
2. Fountain of Youth
3. 7  enchanted cities    established by 7 Portuguese bishops 

Hispaniola  Columbus landing in 1493

1. Enquiries of monsters to be found there

Incredible booty sent back to Charles V (Emperor)

1. by Ferdinand Cortez with letter recounting great deeds wrought in Mexico
2. samples of giants bones found in Hispaniola

Spanish captains expecting to encounter many kinds of mythical beings:

1. giants
2. pygmies,
3. dragons
4. griffins
5. white haired boys
6. bearded ladies
7. humans w/tails
8. headless creatures with eyes on their stomachs

St Augustine in City of God

1. Chapter  "Whether the descendants of Adam or the Sons of Noah produced Monstrous races of Men"