Conversion and degradation in the first part of "Crónica del Perú", by Pedro Cieza de León

In this article we explore the  Cronica del Peru , by Cieza de Leon, considered the first chronicler of the Incas and the peoples before the Inca Empire. We examine the differences in his conception of the Andean period with respect to the Inca Garcilaso, and emphasize his rigorous use of his sources and the freedom with which he expresses his ideas regarding the Indians and the Spanish conquest. The image that Cieza constructs of America is related to the messianic and utopian vision of the new territory, after the conversion and evangelization of the natives; for him, America is the ideal scenario for the emergence of a new Christian society. The author must first give an account of the degradation in which the barbarian peoples live and of their misguided customs. The aim is to extirpate idolatries and highlight the successes of evangelization. Cannibalism, sodomy, idolatry and other evils are described in all their crudeness in Cieza’s chronicle. At the same time, for this civilizing Christian mission to be carried out, Cieza considers that he must denounce the mistreatment suffered by the Indians at the hands of the Spaniards.