La Argentina (poem) facts for kids
 |
|
| Author | Martín del Barco Centenera |
|---|---|
| Country | Viceroyalty of Peru (modern Argentina) |
| Language | Spanish |
|
Publication date
|
1602 |
La Argentina is a long poem written in 1602 by Martín del Barco Centenera. Its full title is Argentina y conquista del Río de la Plata, con otros acaecimientos de los reinos del Perú, Tucumán y estado del Brasil. This means "Argentina and the conquest of the Río de la Plata, with other events from the kingdoms of Peru, Tucuman, and the state of Brazil." The poem is famous for being one of the first times the name "Argentina" was used.
About the Author
Martín del Barco Centenera was a priest and an explorer. He traveled to the Río de la Plata Basin in South America. This was with a leader named Juan Ortiz de Zárate. Centenera spent 24 years exploring this region. He wrote down his adventures and observations in this epic poem.
Centenera's Journey and Writings
Centenera's poem mixes real events with amazing, imaginative stories. For example, he wrote about fish that looked like humans! The poem is very long, with over 10,000 lines of verse. It is divided into 24 parts, called canticles. It was first published in Lisbon, Portugal, in 1602.
Why the Poem is Important
La Argentina is a key historical work. It gives us a look into the early days of European exploration in South America. It also shows how the name "Argentina" became known. The poem helped shape the identity of the region.
See also
In Spanish: La Argentina para niños
