About the book
In this pioneering study of slavery in colonial Ecuador and southern Colombia — Spain’s Kingdom of Quito — Sherwin Bryant argues that the most fundamental dimension of slavery was governance and the extension of imperial power. Bryant shows that enslaved black captives were foundational to sixteenth-century royal claims on the Americas and elemental to the process of Spanish colonization. Following enslaved Africans from their arrival at the Caribbean port of Cartagena through their journey to Quito, Bryant explores how they lived during their captivity, formed kinships and communal affinities, and pressed for justice within a slave-based Catholic sovereign community.
In Cartagena, officials branded African captives with the royal insignia and gave them a Catholic baptism, marking slaves as projections of royal authority and majesty. By licensing and governing Quito’s slave trade, the crown claimed sovereignty over slavery, new territories, natural resources, and markets. By adjudicating slavery, royal authorities claimed to govern not only slaves but other colonial subjects as well. Expanding the diaspora paradigm beyond the Atlantic, Bryant’s history of the Afro-Andes in the early modern world suggests new answers to the question, what is a slave?
Editions of Rivers of Gold, Lives of Bondage
- Hardcover
- ISBN 9781469607726
- Paperback
- ISBN 9781469645667
- EBook
- ISBN 9781469607733
- EBook
- ISBN 9798890843777
- EBook
- ISBN 9781469608259
- PDF
- ISBN 9798890843760
Read an Excerpt
In this pioneering study of slavery in colonial Ecuador and southern Colombia — Spain’s Kingdom of Quito — Sherwin Bryant argues that the most fundamental dimension of slavery was governance and the extension of imperial power. Bryant shows that enslaved black captives were foundational to sixteenth-century royal claims on the Americas and elemental to the process of Spanish colonization. Following enslaved Africans from their arrival at the Caribbean port of Cartagena through their journey to Quito, Bryant explores how they lived during their captivity, formed kinships and communal affinities, and pressed for justice within a slave-based Catholic sovereign community.
In Cartagena, officials branded African captives with the royal insignia and gave them a Catholic baptism, marking slaves as projections of royal authority and majesty. By licensing and governing Quito’s slave trade, the crown claimed sovereignty over slavery, new territories, natural resources, and markets. By adjudicating slavery, royal authorities claimed to govern not only slaves but other colonial subjects as well. Expanding the diaspora paradigm beyond the Atlantic, Bryant’s history of the Afro-Andes in the early modern world suggests new answers to the question, what is a slave?
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Rivers of Gold, Lives of Bondage about?
In this pioneering study of slavery in colonial Ecuador and southern Colombia — Spain’s Kingdom of Quito — Sherwin Bryant argues that the most fundamental dimension of slavery was governance and the extension of imperial power. Bryant shows that enslaved black captives were foundational to sixteenth-century royal claims on the Americas and elemental to the process of Spanish colonization. Following enslaved Africans from their arrival at the Caribbean port of Cartagena through their journey to Quito, Bryant explores how they lived during their captivity, formed kinships and communal affinities, and pressed for justice within a slave-based Catholic sovereign community.
In Cartagena, officials branded African captives with the royal insignia and gave them a Catholic baptism, marking slaves as projections of royal authority and majesty. By licensing and governing Quito’s slave trade, the crown claimed sovereignty over slavery, new territories, natural resources, and markets. By adjudicating slavery, royal authorities claimed to govern not only slaves but other colonial subjects as well. Expanding the diaspora paradigm beyond the Atlantic, Bryant’s history of the Afro-Andes in the early modern world suggests new answers to the question, what is a slave?
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Rivers of Gold, Lives of Bondage?
History and Archaeology > History > History of the Americas
Where can I read a sample of Rivers of Gold, Lives of Bondage?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9781469607726
How long is Rivers of Gold, Lives of Bondage and how many pages does it have?
Rivers of Gold, Lives of Bondage has 264 page(s)
Who is/are the Author/s of the book Rivers of Gold, Lives of Bondage?
Sherwin K. Bryant
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
Rivers of Gold, Lives of Bondage is available as hardcover(ISBN 9781469607726) and paperback(ISBN 9781469645667) and ebook(ISBN 9781469607733) and ebook(ISBN 9798890843777) and ebook(ISBN 9781469608259) and pdf(ISBN 9798890843760)
Where can I buy Rivers of Gold, Lives of Bondage online or support local independent bookshops?
You can buy Rivers of Gold, Lives of Bondage from below
Where can I buy Rivers of Gold, Lives of Bondage?