About Skies and Earth

judiciary astrology and the description of terrestrial surface in the missionaries histories of the sixteenth century New Spain

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 the natural science of the XVI century, regarding the two subjects: the knowledge about the bodies and celestial phenomena, including the nahua system calendar, and the analysis of the space and natural elements of the terrestrial surface. In this way, in relation to the main hypothesis of this research, we believe that these Histories reflect conceptions based on the European knowledge of the XVI century, which had elements of Christian religion and also the practices related to the magical-astrological tradition. Thus, when presenting the XVI century knowledge, we believe to clarify the positions and the attitudes of the missionaries Histories which were traditionally studied by having its religious aspects prioritized. Another hypothesis of this work considers that these narratives are based on its respective evangelical project of those missionaries.