About Skies and Earth: judiciary astrology and description of terrestrial surface in the missionaries histories of New Spain of XVI Century

Author(s)

Marcia Helena Alvim

• Document type: Doctoral Thesis
• Press: Campinas, SP.
• Institution: Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Instituto de Geociências
• Defense date: 2007-10-12

Examining board members

Silvia Fernanda de Mendonça Figueirôa; Maria Amelia Mascarenhas Dantas; Leandro Karnal; Maria Rachel Gomensoro Froes da Fonseca; Eduardo Natalino dos Santos

• Advisor: Silvia Fernanda de Mendonça Figueirôa

Abstract

The main purpose of this doctorate research is to analyze the dialogue between the texts Historia de los indios de la Nueva España, by Friar Toríbio de Motolinia, Historia General de las cosas de Nueva España, by Friar Bernardino de Sahagún, and Historia Eclesiastica Indiana, by Friar Gerónimo de Mendieta, and natural science of XVI century, regarding the two subjects: the knowledge about the bodies and celestial phenomenal, included the nahua system calendar, and the analysis of the space and natural elements of the terrestrial surface. In this way, relation to the main hypothesis of this research, we believe that these Histories reflect conceptions based on the European knowledge of XVI century. This was formed for by elements of Christian religion and to the practical by the tradition magical-astrological. Thus, when presenting the knowledge of XVI century, we believe to clarify position and attitudes of the Histories missionaries which traditionally were studied and its religious aspects were prioritized. Another hypothesis of this work considers that these narratives are based on its respective evangelical project of these missionaries (AU)