Barco, Centenera, Martín del,--b 1535

In his testimonial epic poem Argentina y la conquista del Rio de la Plata con otros acaecimientos de los Reynos del Peru, Tucuman, y estados del Brasil, the archdeacon Martin del Barco Centenera manifests a distinct point of view than that evidenced by the participants in the conquista. The concept of "otherness" developed by the author throughout the epic poem, acts as a coordinating nexus between the conquered subject and the conqueror. This alterity tinges the work with a disappointment that is more appropriate of the posterior baroque period, product of the disillusion engendered by the conquista.