Giovanni Botero

thumb| Giovanni Botero (Latin: Boterus; c. 1544 – 23 June 1617) was an Italian thinker, priest, poet, and diplomat, and author. Quotes Relationi Universali (1595) Translated as Relations of the Most Famous Kingdomes and Common-wealths (1630) Of East, and West, what more can be spoken? To places parallel, the Sunne neither riseth, nor falleth. When it approacheth the South with us, (being about noone-tide) then is it said to fall, by the Easterne people; and contrariwise, then to rise by the Southerne. And therefore, as well to reconcile the doubts of the Ancients, as to satisfie the Curious, in these unrevealed workes of God, and his servant Nature; the Moderne Cosmographers have beene bold to suppose the finite limitation of the East, to determine in the Islands of the Molucca; and of the West in the Hesperides. For herein (say they) standeth the centre of the Globe, the Meridian of both Islands being 180 degrees distant one from another. On the other halfe of the Globe lieth America, divided from either angle by so immensible a tract of Sea, that it deserveth by it selfe, peculiar Bounds of East and West. As for that great Globe (commonly termed Australia) I had rather say with Bodin, That as yet, it is better set forth for shew than for certainty. Bk. 1, ch. 6: Of the people of the Middle Region The King of Spaine weares at this day (perchance) a homely Cassocke of blacke Serge, many a Curate in his Country having a better; whereas the King of China gives not presence, but rarely at the great suit of his people, and that out at the window of a gilded chamber, himselfe gloriously shining in Rubies, in Gold and Diamonds; and that at such time too, as the Sunne shining upon him, even dazles the eyes of his adoring subjects, with the glitter of the reflection; and this they thinke the Sunne doth in favour of him, whence they call him, The Sonne of the Sunne. Bk. 1, ch. 7: Of the world, &c. Finally, politike enemies, have still given way to resolute, yea even when they were vanquished: A resolved or a famished enemie that would get loose or die, make him a bridge of gold to flee upon. Certainly, a couragious enemy is never despised, a politike one may bee. Bk. 1, ch. 7: Of the world, &c. No place is to be held impregnable, whither an Asse laden with gold may get up. Two great effects it workes: First, it levies forces suddenly, and withall, keeps them long together: Secondly, a monied enemie may fight when he will, and but when he will, and must needs therefore weary out his adversary, and so at last endanger either to overthrow him, or force him to a faire composition. For want of pay Armies mutinie, and will neither muster nor fight; and especially the Germans. But Spinola hath made great use of a secret of warre, how in scarcitie of moneys to awe these mutiniers; and that is by paying and contenting the horse, and they shall keepe the foot in obedience. But this tricke will not alwayes serve, for in an Armie a man can hardly tell which is most necessary, armes, victuals, or money; this last alwayes fetches in both the other. Bk. 1, ch. 7: Of the world, &c. See also Pierre Davity External links Category:1617 deaths Category:Authors from Italy