Conversations across time and space: classical traditions in the Andes

Ona June night in 1557,Gonzalo Femández de Oviedo, courtier, soldier, imperial official, man of letters and historian, lay on his deathbed, clasping in his hands the key to the fortress of Santo Domingo of which he had been commandant, alcaide, duringthe preceding thirty four years. 2 His life had been long and event ful. In his youth, he had served in the household ofthe Infante Don Juan, son of Ferdinand and Isabel, at whose side he witnessed the capture of Granada. After the lnfante's premature death in 1498, Oviedo spent sorne time in Italy. Long afterwards, he was still exchanging letters with sorne ofthe eminent Italians whom he had met during those years.