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Pedro Sarmiento de Gamboa (1532-1592) was a Spanish explorer, historian, and a renaissance man with notable contributions to science and literature, particularly known for his seminal work on Pre-Columbian Andean history. His most distinguished work, 'History of the Incas', remains a critical source for scholars studying the Incan Empire. Born in Alcalá de Henares, Spain, Sarmiento de Gamboa pursued nautical studies, which later played a significant role in his voyages to the New World. His intellectual pursuits were diverse, including mathematics, astronomy, and philosophy, which inform the meticulous observations present in his historical writings. 'History of the Incas', written in 1572, provides an account of Incan society, culture, and history as gathered from oral testimonies and personal research during his time in Peru, including the myths, legends, and the lineage of Incan rulers. His writing style demonstrated a scholarly rigor uncommon for the time, characterized by his attempts to critically evaluate and corroborate the information he presented. This work, though controversial for its Eurocentric bias and justification of the Spanish conquest, is invaluable for its detailed descriptions of Incan life prior to Spanish influence. Sarmiento's dedication to his scholarship and his inclusion of the native perspective, albeit filtered through a colonial lens, offers a rare glimpse into the world of the Incas from a 16th-century viewpoint. |
