Juan Martínez Silíceo facts for kids
.JPG)
Juan Martínez Silíceo (1486–1557) was an important Spanish figure. He was a Catholic bishop, a cardinal, and a skilled mathematician.
His Life Story
Juan Martínez Silíceo was born in Villagarcía de la Torre in 1486. He came from a family that wasn't wealthy. His last name is sometimes also written as Guijarro.
He started his education in Llerena, studying grammar. Later, he went to Seville to learn about philosophy. To help pay for his studies, he worked as a sacristan. A sacristan is someone who takes care of the church and its sacred items. He then became a tutor for two sons of a gentleman in Valencia. After that, he went to the University of Paris to finish his education. When he returned, he became a professor of moral philosophy at the University of Salamanca.
After becoming a priest, he taught Christian theology. He also became a canon theologian at the Cathedral of Coria. In July 1534, he was chosen to be a tutor for Prince Philip. Prince Philip later became the King of Spain. Martínez Silíceo also served as the prince's almoner and confessor. An almoner helps give money to the poor. A confessor is a priest who hears confessions.
On February 23, 1541, he was chosen to be the Bishop of Cartagena. He was consecrated as a bishop later that year. This means he was officially made a bishop in a special ceremony. In 1543, Prince Philip sent him to Badajoz. His task was to bring the prince's fiancée, Maria Manuela, Princess of Portugal, back. On January 8, 1546, he became the Archbishop of Toledo. This was a very important position.
Pope Paul IV made him a cardinal priest on December 20, 1555. He received his cardinal's red hat and his special church, Santi Nereo e Achilleo, on February 1, 1556. He became a well-known mathematician of his time. He published a book called "Arithmética," first printed in Paris. He also published another book called "Arte calculatorio."
He passed away in Toledo on May 31, 1557. He was buried in the church of the Colegio de Doncellas Nobles. This was a girls' school he had started in Toledo.
Rules About Family Background
Silíceo worked hard to put special rules in place for the Archdiocese of Toledo. These rules were called limpieza de sangre, which means "purity of blood." These rules were meant to stop people whose families had converted from Judaism to Catholicism from holding important jobs in the Church.
He used different arguments to convince Charles V, who was also the King of Spain, and the Pope to approve these rules. These rules were based on a person's family history, not their own beliefs.
His Published Works
- "Arithmética"
- "Arte calculatorio"
See also
In Spanish: Juan Martínez Guijarro para niños
