Abstract

After an introductory discussion of textual issues of the Historia eclesiástica indiana, the article studies certain rhetorical aspects of this chronicle: the abundant biographies of Franciscan friars who lived and preached in the New World, and the abundant use of miracles, supernatural visions and divine revelations. Mendieta also describes several instances of martyrdom of missionary friars. Finally, Mendieta uses the image of childlike innocence to describe Indians as genus angelicum.