De Orbe Novo, Volume 1 (of 2) The Eight Decades of Peter Martyr D'Anghera

"De Orbe Novo, Volume 1" by Pietro Martire d'Anghiera is a captivating historical record from the time of early Spanish exploration, giving readers a firsthand look at the encounters between Europe and the Americas after Columbus's voyages. Martyr's story follows his life, starting with his Italian roots and his move to Spain in search of opportunity during a period of dramatic historical change. It highlights his role as a scholar and diplomat in the Spanish court and his place in documenting history. The book also mentions his relationships with important people in Italy and Spain, his education, and how humanism was changing Europe. The setting offers insights into the social and political tensions of the time, showing how Martyr's goals and scholarly work were combined with the big historical events of discovering and settling new lands.