Works Girolamo Benzoni

title page of historia del mondo nuovo

benzoni, while not unsuccessful in undertook, conceived inveterate hatred of spanish people , government , in return protection given him , favors compelled reluctantly acknowledge, wrote , published book of diatribes , accusations against spain in america. contains interesting details countries visited, abounds in errors , in intentional misstatements. benzoni states antilles clumsy rehash of las casas. reports on conquest of mexico , conquest of peru bristle errors.

the book of benzoni historia del mondo nuovo published @ venice in 1565. dedicated pope pius iv. @ time when controversy concerning treatment of native americans hottest, , work, written 1 had returned new world after stay of fifteen years not fail attract attention. in writing it, no standard of criticism applied; not in spirit of times.

the ultra-philanthropists found benzoni welcome auxiliary, , foreign nations, more or less leagued against spain sake of supplanting mastery of indies, adopted extreme statements , sweeping accusations. several editions published in rapid succession; translations made english several other languages.

intrinsically, book has small merit, except in far presents , describes facts witnessed author. these not faithfully reported. might called controversial document because of violent partiality , hostility. not notice mitigating circumstances, , ignores when not suit author.

benzoni writes disappointed trader, , man of limited education , narrow views. historia reprinted in 1572, , translated french eustace vignon , german nicolaus höniger, both 1579. aside annotations trivial , partial book itself, english translation, history of new world girolamo benzoni (london, 1857), hakluyt society, best.