Francisco López de Gómara facts for kids
Francisco López de Gómara (born February 2, 1511, died around 1566) was a Spanish historian. He is famous for writing about the early 16th-century trips of Hernán Cortés. Cortés was a Spanish explorer who helped conquer parts of the New World (the Americas). Gómara never went to the Americas himself. But he got his information directly from Cortés and other explorers who returned.
Some people, like Bernal Díaz del Castillo, said his books weren't always accurate. They felt he made Cortés seem too good. Even so, his writings are still important for learning about these historical events.
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Life of Francisco López de Gómara
Francisco López de Gómara was born in a town called Gómara in Spain on February 2, 1511. He went to school at Alcalá de Henares. Later, he became a priest.
In the 1530s, he lived mostly in Italy. There, he worked for the Spanish ambassador, Diego Hurtado de Mendoza. After 1540, Gómara came back to Spain. He then started working for Hernán Cortés as his secretary and a religious advisor (chaplain).
Gómara went with Cortés on a trip to Algeria. After Cortés died, Gómara was in Valladolid around 1556 or 1557. People believe he then moved back to his home city of Seville, where he likely passed away.
Gómara's Famous Book
Gómara wrote his most famous book, Historia general de las Indias, using information from Cortés and other explorers. These explorers had returned from the New World. The book was published in Zaragoza in 1552.
His book was very popular and was translated into many languages:
- It was translated into French in 1578.
- It was translated into Italian in 1560.
- It was even translated into Nahuatl, a language spoken by some native people in Mexico.
The first part of his book talks about the discovery and conquest of places like the Antilles, Peru, Chile, and Central America. It also covers Magellan's trip around the world. The second part of the book focuses on the conquest of Mexico.
Why His Work Was Questioned
Some people thought Gómara's book had mistakes. They believed he might have made Cortés seem more important than he was. This could be because Cortés was his boss, or because Gómara never actually went to the Americas.
Because of these concerns, Prince Philip (who later became Philip II of Spain) ordered that all copies of Gómara's book be collected. He also said that no one should print it again. This rule was made in 1553.
However, this ban was lifted in 1727. Later, Bernal Díaz del Castillo, who traveled with Cortés, wrote his own book. It was called "True History of the Conquest of New Spain". He wrote it to correct what he saw as errors in Gómara's work. Even with these criticisms, Gómara's writing style was clear and easy to read. This made his book popular and an important source for history.
Main Works
- Historia general de las Indias y todo lo acaescido en ellas dende que se ganaron hasta agora y La conquista de Mexico, y de la Nueva España (1553)
- La segunda parte de la Historia general de las Indias que contiene La conquista de Mexico, y de la Nueva España (1553)
- Crónica de los Barbarrojas
- Anales de Carlos V
- Vida de Hernán Cortés
See also
In Spanish: Francisco López de Gómara para niños
