Spanish King Of The Incas: The Epic Life Of Pedro Bohorques (Pitt Illuminations)

Described in his lifetime as “mad,” “a dreamer,” “quixotic,” and “a lunatic,” Pedro Bohorques is one of the most fascinating personalities of Spanish colonial America. A common man from an ordinary Andalusian family, he sought his fortune in the new world as a Renaissance adventurer. Smitten with the idea of the mythical cities of gold, Bohorques led a series of expeditions into the jungles of Peru searching for the paradise of El Dorado. Having mastered the Quechua language of the countryside, he presented himself as a descendent of Inca royalty and quickly rose to power as a king among the Calchaquíes of Tucumán. He was later arrested and executed by the crown for his participation in a peasant revolt against Spanish rule. In Spanish King of the Incas , Ana María Lorandi examines Bohorques as a character whose vision, triumphs, and struggles are a reflection of his seventeenth-century colonial world. In this thoroughly engaging ethnohistory, Lorandi brings to light the many political and cultural forces of the time. The status of the Inca high nobility changed dramatically after the Spanish conquest, as native populations were subjugated by the ruling class. Utopian ideals of new cities of riches such as El Dorado prevailed in the public imagination alongside a desire to restore an idealized historic past. As the Middle Ages gave way to the new belief systems of the Renaissance, ingenuousness about mythical creatures became strong, and personal success was measured by the performance of heroic deeds and the attainment of kingdoms. Charismatic and bold, Pedro Bohorques flourished in the ambiguous margins of this society full of transition and conflict. Ann de León's artful translation preserves both the colorful details of the story and the clarity of expression in Lorandi's complex analyses. Described In His Lifetime As Mad, A Dreamer, Quixotic, And A Lunatic, Pedro Bohorques Is One Of The Most Fascinating Personalities Of Spanish Colonial America. A Common Man From An Ordinary Andalusian Family, He Sought His Fortune In The New World As A Renaissance Adventurer. Smitten With The Idea Of The Mythical Cities Of Gold, Bohorques Led A Series Of Expeditions Into The Jungles Of Peru Searching For The Paradise Of El Dorado. Having Mastered The Quechua Language Of The Countryside, He Presented Himself As A Descendent Of Inca Royalty And Quickly Rose To Power As A King Among The Calchaquies Of Tucuman. He Was Later Arrested And Executed By The Crown For His Participation In A Peasant Revolt Against Spanish Rule. In Spanish King Of The Incas, Ana Maria Lorandi Examines Bohorques As A Character Whose Vision, Triumphs, And Struggles Are A Reflection Of His Seventeenth-century Colonial World. In This Ethnohistory, Lorandi Brings To Light The Many Political And Cultural Forces Of The Time. The Status Of The Inca High Nobility Changed Dramatically After The Spanish Conquest, As Native Populations Were Subjugated By The Ruling Class. Utopian Ideals Of New Cities Of Riches Such As El Dorado Prevailed In The Public Imagination Alongside A Desire To Restore An Idealized Historic Past. As The Middle Ages Gave Way To The New Belief Systems Of The Renaissance, Ingenuousness About Mythical Creatures Became Strong, And Personal Success Was Measured By The Performance Of Heroic Deeds And The Attainment Of Kingdoms. Charismatic And Bold, Pedro Bohorques Flourished In The Ambiguous Margins Of This Society Full Of Transition And Conflict.--book Jacket. Ethnic Complexity And Social Conflicts -- The Incas In The Colony: The Construction Of Memory -- Routes To The Utopia: The Magnificent Paytiti -- Pedro Bohorques In Peru -- Calchaquí: The Restoration Of The Tawantinsuyu -- Death In Lima -- Epilogue: The Saga Of Pedro Bohorques. Ana María Lorandi ; Translated By Ann De León ; With A Foreword By Peter Klarén. Originally Published As: De Quimeras, Rebeliones Y Utopías : La Gesta Del Inca Pedro Bohorques (lima, Perú : Pontificia Universidad Católica Del Perú, Fondo Editorial, 1997). Includes Bibliographical References (p. 245-258). Spanish King of the Incas tells the fascinating story of a Spanish commoner who participated in the conquest of Latin America, then changed loyalties. He declared himself a king among the Calchaqui Indians and was eventually executed for his role in an Inca rebellion in 1667. Contents Foreword by Peter Klarén Acknowledgments Introduction 1 Ethnic Complexity and Social Conflicts 2 The Incas in the Colony 3 Routes to the Utopia 4 Pedro Bohorques in Peru 5 Calchaquí 6 Death in Lima Epilogue: The Saga of Pedro Bohorques Notes Bibliography