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Who is Antonio Pigafetta?
Antonio Pigafetta was an Italian explorer and chronicler best known for his detailed account of the first circumnavigation of the globe led by Ferdinand Magellan. Born around 1491, Pigafetta joined Magellan's expedition in 1519 as a ship's chronicler and recorded the journey in his work, "The First Voyage Around the World" (Relazione del primo viaggio intorno al mondo). His account is one of the primary sources of information about the voyage, including detailed observations of the lands and peoples encountered, such as the Philippines.
How does Pigafetta’s admiration for Magellan affect his account of events?
Pigafetta’s admiration for Magellan significantly affects his account of events by portraying Magellan in a highly favorable light, often highlighting his leadership, bravery, and strategic skills. This bias can lead Pigafetta to emphasize Magellan’s positive qualities while downplaying his mistakes or controversial decisions. As a result, Magellan is often depicted as a heroic and almost infallible leader, which may overlook the perspectives of other crew members or the indigenous people they encountered. This admiration influences Pigafetta’s narrative, making it more of a tribute to Magellan’s legacy rather than a completely objective account of the voyage.
How did a native Filipino become a slave according to Plasencia’s document?
According to Plasencia’s document, native Filipinos could become slaves through various means, including being captured in wars, failing to pay debts, or as a punishment for committing crimes. Slavery could also result from inheritance, where children of slaves were born into servitude.
How did Placesia described the social hierarchy of the precolonial Philippines?
Plasencia described the social hierarchy of precolonial Philippines as being divided into three main classes: the nobles (maharlika), the commoners (aliping namamahay), and the dependent class or slaves (aliping sagigilid).