Pedro MexÃa
Pedro Mexía (also Pedro Mejía, * between 17 January and September 6, 1497 in Seville, ibid † January 17, 1551 /52) was a humanist author of the 16th century. The majority of his life, the writer in his home town, for which he always brought a special affection in his writings expressed.
Life
There are not many details about Mexías childhood. It is believed that Pedro Mexía lived until 1516 with his family in Seville, where he had already developed an interest in humanistic and liberal arts studies.
In the fall of 1516 Mexía began at the age of 19 years in Salamanca to study law, which he continued for ten years. However, it is not known whether he gained an academic degree. Also, there is no detailed knowledge of his residence and his activities during the time between his graduation and the year 1530, when he was living in Sevilla again.
Over the last stage in the life of Pedro Mexías, which he spent in Seville, most is known on the. It applies both professionally and literary than its most fertile phase of life in which he was publicly active. In 1537 Mexía was appointed cosmographers the Casa de Contratación de Sevilla, a year later he became mayor of Santa Hermandad de Sevilla, 1548, he was after the death of Guevara official imperial chronicler of the court and later ( 1530-1540 ) to Ritter appointed Veinticuatro of the City Council of Seville. In literary terms Mexía ended about 1540-1550 his most important literary and scientific productions.
Education
Pedro Mexía was interested in many things and formed continuously in a variety of sciences. Before attending law school in Salamanca Mexía learned Latin, and gained in the course of his life rudimentary knowledge of Greek at. In addition Mexía gained a comprehensive mathematical and astrological knowledge, which is why he was called "el Astólogo " (according to Aristotle, who was nicknamed "el Filósofo "). In addition, Mexía devoted to the study of history and presented his mathematical, cosmography, hydrographic and historical knowledge of pilots and navigators available. It is believed that Pedro Mexía to most of his knowledge through self-study appropriated, because as he mastered Latin, in the 16th century, the universal language of culture in Europe, he could read ancient and modern treatises on these subjects.
Personality and character
Mexías biographer Francisco Pacheco has handed down some details about Pedro Mexías personality and character. As a teenager Mexía is said to have presented very courageous, determined and purposeful. Over the years he acquired an ever greater knowledge and dealt with different areas of knowledge. Mexía was in correspondence with Juan Luis Vives and Erasmus of Rotterdam and entertained family contacts to Hernando Colon and don Baltasar del Rio, the Bishop of Escala.
During his last phase Mexía was known as a very self-controlled, studious and inquisitive man who ate little, drank and slept more than four hours. According to his biographers, he had morning fulfilled his religious duties, both during the day pursued his professional duties and public office, and have dedicated themselves until late into the night reading and writing. He was regarded as grumpy, tidy and tirelessly, and despite jährzorniger and choleric traits a mild-mannered, compassionate and honest heart, so he was always trying to cheer others, to encourage and to promote the truth.
Works
Large, up to the present time in reaching awareness ( especially among Romanists ) Mexía gained through his writing Silva de varia lección (1540 ), which is considered the forerunner of the essay as a literary form. Other major works are Historia imperial y Cesarea ( 1545 ), Historia del emperador Carlos V (unfinished and unpublished) and Coloquios y Diálogos ( 1547). In addition Mexía to have written some historical and genealogical writings and it is believed that he also translated romances, the dramatic art and - however, quite unsuccessfully - devoted to poetry.