Alcaçar Imperial dela Fama del Muy Yllustrissimo Señor el Gran Capitan…

Alcaçar Imperial dela Fama del Muy Yllustrissimo Señor el Gran Capitan con la Coronacion, y Otras Coplas de Arte Mayor y Real, en las quales se Declaran las Quatro Partidas del Mundo

“Oh source where born: all science
oh flower of cities: the world crown
oh Córdoba mother...”
Alonso Gómez de Figueroa
The author’s poem of praise to his homeland is meant to set it up as a splendid comparison to any of the grand cities of the known world, which the author supposedly travelled. Figueroa was a poet and chronicler The codex is a wonderful compendium of texts ranging from travelogues to coronation rules to works of cosmology, philosophy, natural science, politics, history, and even include a carol and the aforementioned poem. It is evident that these texts were inspired by authors from antiquity, the Church Fathers, and the Bible itself. Published on November 17th, 1514 in Córdoba, the text is a combination of prose and poetry arranged in one or two columns.

A Spaniard Inspired by Antiquity

Whether or not the author was actually as well-traveled as he claims, he demonstrates a solid understanding of contemporary events, geography, history, and other information related to travel. Even if the 16th century poet did not travel to all the places he had claimed, it is believed that he did indeed travel to the Holy Land. As such, the work has received special attention from students of travel writing. Even if the 16th century poet did not visit all the places he had claimed, the consensus is that he did indeed travel to the Holy Land. Figueroa also demonstrates a solid understanding of Latin and Greek – his writings on natural science and cosmology are clearly inspired by ancient authors.

Calling for a Crusade

The text begins with a prologue encouraging both the interest in and the conquest of the Holy Land. Although addressed to the reader, its implicit target is the papacy and the various crowned heads of Europe, i.e. those with the means to launch a new Crusade. The title page also alludes to this implied audience, as it depicts an allegorical king and queen talking with their companions in the gardens of the Alcázar of Córdoba. By describing his own pilgrimage and the various holy sites that he visited throughout the Levant, Figueroa hoped to inspire the Christian kings of Europe to resume the long-defunct Crusades. The introduction also specifically addresses Gonzalo Fernández de Córdoba y Enríquez de Aguilar (1453–1515), “The Great Captain”. The leader of successful campaigns during the Conquest of Grenada and Italian Wars, Córdoba was instrumental in transforming the Spanish army into the dominant military force of the 16th and 17th centuries. Figueroa saw the Spanish general, whose family happened to patronize him, as the perfect candidate to lead this new Crusade.