Popol Wuj

Popol Wuj

Central America Recorded in writing c. 1554-1558; transcription in K’iche’ and Spanish translation in 18th century   Anonymous Popol Wuj (Popol Vuh, Pop Wuj) “One of the several surviving—in some ways, thriving—highland Maya groups in Guatemala is the...
Tullia d’Aragona, Il Meschino, altramente detto il Guerrino

Tullia d’Aragona, Il Meschino, altramente detto il Guerrino

Italy First published posthumously in 1560   Tullia d’Aragona,   Il Meschino, altramente detto il Guerrino​   [The Wretch, Otherwise Known as Guerrino] ​ Tullia d’Aragona (ca. 1501- 1556) was a celebrated Italian courtesan, prolific author, and...
Anchieta, De gestis Mendi de Saa

Anchieta, De gestis Mendi de Saa

Portugal 1563     José de Anchieta     De gestis Mendi de Saa   (On the Deeds of Mem de Sá)     Before Alonso de Ercilla wrote La Araucana (Madrid 1569) about the war waged between Spaniards and Mapuches on the Chilean frontier, before...
Alonso de Ercilla, La Araucana

Alonso de Ercilla, La Araucana

Spain 1569, 1578, and 1589 (first complete edition)     Alonso de Ercilla La Araucana   Alonso de Ercilla’s La Araucana (published in Spain in three parts, 1569, 1578, and 1589, the latter gathering all three parts) is probably the best known epic poem of...
Camões, The Lusiads

Camões, The Lusiads

Portugal First published: 1572     Luis Vaz de Camões, The Lusiads (Os Lusíadas)   Camões’ Os Lusíadas is not technically a New World epic, as it is sometimes called, since most of its action takes place in Africa and India. Yet it clearly exemplifies a...