The Medieval Marvels Present in the Discovery of Spanish America

Résumé

During the sixteenth century several discoveries took place on the American continent that allowed the establishment of the Spanish empire in the Indies. This process, chronologically situated in the dawn of the Modern Era, nevertheless was marked by deep continuities proper of the Hispanic medieval mentality. How to interpret these discoveries is, among others, an aspect of the Spanish Conquista which can only be understood after the recognition of its medieval roots. This paper tries to understand the role of the medieval imaginary marvel as a driving force behind the Conquistadors ’imperative need to go further that exceeds the simple analysis of a process that was less modern than what the traditional historiography usually states.