Among the early Spanish chroniclers who contributed to images of the New World was the Amerindian-Spanish historian and literary writer, El Inca Garcilaso de la Vega. In this volume, the author explores El Inca's rationale and motivations in writing his chronicle. He suggests that El Inca was trying to influence events by influencing discourse.
A cross-disciplinary view of an important De Soto chronicle.
"Steigman places Garcilaso in a historical context that is sure to be of interest to historians, anthropologists, and literary scholars. This is a fascinating story well told."--Marvin T. Smith, author of
Coosa: The Rise and Fall of a Southeastern Mississippian ChiefdomAmong the early Spanish chroniclers who contributed to popular images of the New World was the Amerindian-Spanish (mestizo) historian and literary writer, El Inca Garcilaso de la Vega (1539-1616). He authored several works, of which
La Florida del Inca (1605) stands out as the best because of its unique Amerindian and European perspectives on the De Soto expedition (1539-1543). As the child of an Indian mother and a Spanish father, Garcilaso lived in both worlds--and saw value in each. Hailed throughout Europe for his excellent contemporary Renaissance writing style, his work was characterized as literary art. Garcilaso revealed the emotions, struggles, and conflicts experienced by those who participated in the historic and grandiose adventure in
La Florida. Although criticized for some lapses in accuracy in his attempts to paint both the Spaniards and the Amerindians as noble participants in a world-changing event, his work remains the most accessible of all the chronicles.
>
Jonathan David Steigman is a specialist in Colonial Latin American Literature at Auburn University.
