Idolatrous Cultures and the Practice of Religion.

Idolatry in literature; De Orbe Novo (Book); Martyr, Peter; Worship of religious idols; Religion; Sixteenth century; Fifteenth century

This essay explores the shifting valuations of idolatry in cultural descriptions of the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries based on historian Peter Martyr's book "De orbe novo." In the book, Martyr explains the religious practices and cultural descriptions of Yucatan peoples. It focuses on religious practices as signs of civilization. Martyr's writings are compared with the works of Latin Christian authors.