Greetings beautiful souls,
Thank you for your interest in this series. Within each post, I will provide translations of 4 to 5 sheets of manuscripts of the Urbano Monte’s Global Map, created around 1587. For the complete list of the 60-sheet manuscript world map, visit the David Rumsey Map Collection. The manuscripts are of very high quality, allowing for detailed zooming in to closely examine the texts.
In Part 1, we will study the outer texts located in present-day South America, starting from section 57 and proceeding counterclockwise to section 60 on the Index page. In Part 2, we will continue with section 43. These texts offer descriptions of the land, including its inhabitants, animals, and plant life, from an Italian perspective around the 1600s. In addition to the actual map, the Key sheet is also helpful for quickly locating the described areas.
The translations follow a left-to-right order based on the provided images. I used OpenL to translate the texts into English. I rely completely on these tools and welcome corrections, as I myself do not speak Italian. Any errors present are my own.
With love, honor, and respect.
Nhu
Florida
Florida is so named because it was discovered on Easter Sunday in bloom. It is a very rich land, and its inhabitants are very strong, valiant, and so swift that they can catch a deer in a run and can run an entire day without tiring. They carry long bows of twelve palms and thick as a forearm, with which they shoot two hundred paces and penetrate any strong armor; their arrows are made of flint stone or bone instead of iron tips. The men go naked, while the women wear tree bark coverings for their modesty. They eat spiders, ants, and lizards, and despite being so hungry, they are very cheerful, dancing and singing. Men do not marry until they are forty years old, although women can marry at ten or twelve.
Della Florida
La Florida è così detta perché fu Trovata il giorno di Pasqua fiorita, è paese molto ricco, et ha li suoi habitatori molto gagliardi valorosi et Tanto legieri che pigliano ni corso un cervo, et corrono un giorno intiero senga stan carsi, portano archi longhi dodici palmi, et grossi come un bracio, con li quali Tirano dugento passi et passano ogni forte corazza, le saette ni loco di ferro hano pietra focaia ouero osso. Li homini andavano nudi, Le done portavano un velo d’albero alle parte vergognose, mangiano ragni formiche e lucerte, et essendo Tanto affamati vanno molto allegri, ballando et cantando. Li homini non si maritano fin che non hanno quarant’ ani, benche le donne siano da marito di dodeci o dodici ani.
The Frozen Southern Ocean
Oceano Del Sur Giaciato
The Spanish Island
On this island, many forts were built by Columbus. There were no four-legged animals except rabbits; there are geese called Gianohe, which have red heads, and various parrots. This island produces mastic and aloe, and has many mines of gold and silver. The men and women are light chestnut in color, went naked, and are of medium stature and deformed in face; they have ugly eyes, bad teeth, very wide nostrils, and a very large forehead, because they deliberately disfigured it for beauty and for strength. They regarded the Devil as their principal god, and painted him in every corner in the form in which he appeared to them. The women give birth without the help of other women, and immediately after giving birth they go to the nearby river to wash themselves and the child, lest they fall ill.
Note: on the map, this location corresponds to present-day Haiti, the Dominican Republic, and Puerto Rico.
Del’ Isola Spagnola
Sopra questa Isola faronfatte dal colombo molte fortegge. Non vi erano animali da quatro piedi salvo conigli, vi sono oche Gianohe, et hano il capo rosso et papagalli diversi, questa Isola produce mastice et aloe, ha molte minere d’oro e d’argento, Li homini et done sono di colore castagnato chiaro andavano nudi, et sono di megana statura et contrafatti di viso, hono brutti occhi, cattina dentadura, Le nari molto aperte, et La fronte grandissima, perche a studio la conciavano per bellega et per fortegga, Tenevano costoro per loro principal Dio Il Diavolo, et lo dipingevano per ogni cantone in quella forma che egli Li appareva, Le donne partoriscono senga L’ ainto d’altre donne, et subito partorito vano al fiume vicino a lanarsi loro, et la creatura, ne L’aria li famale.
The King of Portugal
Still follows in the Indian ocean. The fame of this one spreading its flight and while to him for honor the gods of the marine fleet. A long and dense forest of armed ships ran for him many years over the salty ground that may be pleasing in heaven to Jesus Christ. While living, I strive to acquire it.
IL Re di Portogallo
seguita ancor nell oceano Imenfo. Lafama di costni drigando il volo et mentre a lui per honorany a Ilcefo pagar li Dei del marinesco stolo D’armati legni un longo bosco e denso per lui molt’ani corse il salso suolo che sia in cielo grato a Giesu cristo. Done vivendo procuro L’aquisto.
Of the Leucadian Islands
The Leucadian Islands are more than 400 in number. All small except Leucadia, from which all the others take their name. The people are friendly and there are beautiful women, who were naked except in times of war or dance, for then they wore a garment of wonderfully crafted fabric, and large plumes; the maidens wore a belt of net with leaves and meshes (when their month came, they made strong knitting nets). They gave themselves to pleasures; their necklaces are pearl oysters, and they wore crowns and collars of certain stones like rubies on their necks, arms, and legs. There are so many doves and other birds on these islands that neighbors from other countries came to hunt them, and ended up carrying away boats loaded with said birds.
Delle Isole Leucaie
Le Isole leucaie sono piv di 400. Tutte picola salvo leucaia, da La quale Tutte le altre pigliano il nome. Le genti sono disposte et vi sono belle donne, An davano nudi salvo al Tempo di guerra o de balli, per che allora si metevano una veste di pinma maravigliosamente Lavorata, et grandi pennacchi, le vergini portavano una cinta de rete con foglie & le maglie quando li veniva il lor mese, et allora facevano forte In nitando parenti come se facessero nogge, , si dano a piaceri, le loro ichege sono ostreghe da perle portan ano coronne et collari di certe pietre come rubini al collo, alle bracia, et alle gambe, vi sono in quest’ Isole tanti colombi et altri vcelli, che li vicini de altri paesi venevano a vcelarui, et ne conclucevano via le barche cariche de detti vcelli.
Note: I am unable to locate this land on the map.
Land of Fire: Terra del fuogo
Delli finmi Plafa Maragnon, esnoi paesi (Not sure how to translate this. This refers to Marañón River in Peru)
The mouth of the Maragnon River is described and it is said that there are many inhabited islands. The people of these countries wear pendants on their ears, and three or four rings on their lips which they pierce as a custom. They make bread with balsam, and wine from dates, which is good, and they have incense much better than that of Arabia, emeralds, and other fine gems. The mouth of the La Plata River is 75 miles wide with many islands and it grows like the Nile. All those who live along this river eat human flesh and go almost naked; they are great warriors and carry a stone pommel with a strong and good rope attached to a castone, with which, by throwing it at the enemy and turning the pommel around, they capture him and drag him to eat him. The country is fertile and healthy. There is found a fish very similar to the human body, and a snake called a rattle because when it moves it sounds like a rattle, and these countries have silver, pearls, and various gems.
Delli finmi Plafa Maragnon, esnoi paesi
Lafoce det finme Maragnon e disoleghe chesono iso miglianostre et ha molte isole habitate, Li homini de questi paesiportano alle orechie pendenti, et Tre o quano anelli alle labra quali si forano per gentilegga, fano il pane con balsamo, e il vino de datili, qual ebono, et vi homo Incenso assai migliore di quello de Arabia, homo smeraldi et altre gerne fine. Il Finme de La plata ha la sua foce de 75 miglia con molte isole et cresce come fa il Nilo et Tutti quelli che habitano longo qito finme mangianano carne humana, et vano quasi nadi; et sono gran gueriori, et portano un pomo di pietra con forte et bona corda atacato a un Castone, con il quale percolendo L’Inimico voltandosegli il pomo alorno lo pigliamo, et lo strascinano per mangiarlo, il paese e fertile et sano, Iui si Trova un pesce moltosimile al corpo humano, et una serpe detta sonaglio perche caminando risnona come sonaglio, et hano questi paesi argento perle e geme diverse.
Southern Ocean
Oceano del sur
From the Strait of Magellan
Some inhabitants of these lands eat bread made from shaved wood and human flesh, wear feathers with long tails, or go naked, and pierce their jaws, lower lips, and ears to wear stones and bones. They all paint themselves, do not have beards or hair, which they shave with great skill, and sleep ten to a bed with their wives. There are others who are of giant stature and have deformed feet, dress poorly, and tie their private parts. Between their thighs, they dye their hair white, blacken their eyes, and paint their faces yellow, drawing a heart on one cheek. They are great archers, hunt ostriches and other fierce beasts. The coast is very high with great cliffs, the land is barren, no grain grows there, and snow lasts. All year round, there are many ostriches and other birds much larger with claws that can carry an elephant while flying. They dress in seal skins and use large tree barks as boats!
Del stretto di Magalianes
Alcuni habitanti de questi paesi mangiano panecli Legno rasato, e carne humana, vestono di piuma con code longhe, o che van nudi, si forano. Le mascelle, li labri di sotto, et L’orechie, per por tarni pietre et ossi, si dipingono Tutti, non portano barbane peli, quali se canano concerto artificio, dormono a dieci e pin con le lor moglie, vi sono altri che hano statura de giganti, et hano i piedi difformi, vestono male, et legansi le parte vergognosi. Tra le coscie, si Tingono i capelli di bianco, sifano neri li occhi et Tingonsi la facia di giallo, disegnando in una masella un core, sono grandi saetatori, vcidono struggi, et altre brave fiere, la costa e motto alta con gran rapi, il Tereno e sterile, ne vi nasce grano, et vi dura la neve. Tutto l’ano vi sono struggi assai, et altri vcelli assai magiori che co g Vartigli sostengono volando vno elefante, vestonsi di pelle de lupi marini, et per barche si serno di scorze de arbori grandiss!
The King of Poland
Confines the King with the vast sea of the Great Bear whose waves he restrains. The height of his power is singular. Full of majesty and honor. In him grace and virtue appear that grant reward to the good and impose punishment on the wicked, and Poland lends itself to his praises, for he celebrates her and she celebrates him.
Il Re De Polonia
confina il Re con lagiaciato mare della grande orsa le cui onde afrena. Lalta di lui possanza, singolare. Tutt’e di maestad’e d’honor piena. In lui la gratia ela virtude appare che fona premio ai boni e Trisli pena et Pollania a cenn suoi si presta, ch’egli di lei, ella di lui fan festa.
From the city of Cusco
The city of Cuzco was the capital of the empire of the Inca king, it has harsh and very cold terrain, the houses are made of raw bricks covered with esparto grass, which is abundant in the mountains, which produce turnips and lupins. The men wear long hair and wrap their heads with bands, and they wear woolen shirts. The women wear sleeveless skirts, which they fasten with long belts, and certain shawls that they place over their shoulders with needles with beautiful gold knobs. They eat raw meat and fish. Men take as many wives as they want. The soldiers marry their sisters. Everyone is buried with a sign of their art or profession. The people are tall and beautiful, and they wear sealskin, they use bows for war and for hunting, the country is well inhabited, and when we have summer, they have winter, and when it is day here, it is night there, and the country abounds with fruits and sheep.
Del Cuzco, e chili
La citta at cuzco era capo del Imperio felli Re Inga, ha Tereno aspro e molto fredo, le case sono de matuni crudi coperte di sparto, che ini e in quantità grande, per le montagne, le quali producono navoni e lupini, Li honimi portano capelli, longhi et si cingono, il capo con bende, et vestono camise di lana. Le done portano sottane senza maniche, quale fasciano con cinture longhe, e certi matellini the si postano sopra le spalle con aghi con belli pomelli d’oro, mangiano la carne et il pesce crudo. Li homini pigliano quante moglie vogliono, li soldati si maritano con le sorelle, Tutti si sepeliscono con un segno de L’arte o professione sua. I chilesi sono grandi e belli, e vestono pelle de lupi marini, usano archi alla guerra et alla cafia, il paese e’ ben habitato, e quando noi habiamo la estate, essi homo il verno, e quando qua e giorno La e’ notte, et il paese abonda de strappi, et di pecore.
From Popaia
In the region of Popaia, some places are warm and some are cold, some sites are healthy, and others are sickly, in one part there is much rain and in another almost none. These people are negligent, and above all they abhor serving and being subjects; when they are forced by the Spaniards, they burn their houses which are made of wood and straw and move elsewhere, and in three or four days they build a house and sow as much grain as they want in another place, and if the Spaniards do not leave that place, they move to another, and they do this because the land is very fertile and capable of yielding crops, and they find food everywhere, and therefore they are so unruly. The women wear long cotton garments with various designs, they wear their hair well-combed and around their necks they have fine gold necklaces linked together, and they have earrings that married daughters wear after they have lost their virginity and not before, and they think nothing of having a virgin wife, and in other places of this region, the women go naked except that they wear certain small garments to cover their private parts.
De Popaia
In la puintia di Popaian alcuni luoghi sono caldi et alcuni sono fredi, alcuni siti sono sani, et alcuni Infermi, in una parte pioue assai ni un’altra quasi mai. Questi popoli sono negligenti, et sopra tutto aborriscono il servire et star sugetti, quando sono astretti da spagnoli ardono le case loro che sono dilgeno e paglia et vano altrove, et in tre o quatro giorni fano una casa, et seminano in altriquano quanto grano vogliono, et se li spagnoli segno no lasciano quel loco e vano in un altro, et cio fano per esser il paese fertilissimo et atto a rendergli frutto, et Trouano in ogni loco da mangianre, et percio sono cosi indomiti. Le donne vestono pani longhi di cotone con varie dinise, portano li capelli ben pettinati et al colo peggi di oro fino uniti l’un con l’altro, et hano pendenti al’orecohie maritan le fig liole poiche han perduta la virginità e non prima, e stimato per nulla haner la moglie vergine, et no altri luoghi di questa psouintia le done vano nude salno che portano certi fa goletti per coprire le parte vergognose.
The Frozen Southern Ocean
Oceano del sur Giaciato
Of Quito
The whole province seems sterile in appearance but is very fertile and there are abundant crops. And it is continuously spring. In the plains, much wheat and other produce are harvested. There are many warm valleys full of wild fruit trees all year round, like oranges, lemons, and others similar. The peasants are more familiar than others from Peru; they have large quantities of sheep as big as camels, they have deer, rabbits, partridges, turtledoves, pigeons, and other wild animals. The women work the fields, manage the grains, and the men spin. They weave, make clothes, and manage the household, and in everything, they do more service than men. They believe that the devil has power in everything, and they honor the sun as soon as they see it, and they consider it God.
Del Quito
Tutta La proumtia pare sterile in sterile in aparema mae fertile et vi’ si natricano armeti copiosi. et di continuo vie primanera. Nelle pianure si coglie molto grano et altra vitoaglia. Vi sono molte valle calde piene d’arbori frati feri Tutto L’ano, come naranci, limoni, et altri simili, Li paesani sono pin famigliari che altri del Peru, hano gran quantita di pecore grandi come cameli, hano cerni, conigli, pernice, Tortore, colombi et altre saluaticine. Le done lanorano i campi, governono le biade, et li homini filano. Tessono fano veste, et governono la casa, et in ogni cosa fano pin Tosto seriutio di dona che di homo. Credono che il demonio habbi possanga in ogni cosa, et honorano il sole subito che lo vedono, et to Tengono per Dio.
Leave a Reply