The Privilege of Being Part of the RUTTER Project

When I first arrived in Lisbon at the end of 2019 to start my work in the RUTTER project, I barely knew who Magellan was, and the concept of an ocean route was something smoky, vague and elusive. In the office I was surrounded by people speaking exotic languages, too fast for me to understand the slightest bit of what was being said. The outbreak of the covid pandemic in March 2020 did not facilitate my integration into a research project in which I still wondered what my place was.

It was during my temporary return to Italy amidst the mandatory lockdown that things began to change. The social distancing measures prevented us from coming together, but during the lectures given by our PI, Prof. Henrique Leitão, I began to learn about a fascinating, complex but not difficult world. A moment of revelation for me was when Prof. Leitão told us about Magellan and his voyage - the first expedition capable of circumnavigating the world. He emphasized the importance of scientists and technical issues, such as calculating longitude, and celebrated the fact that Magellan was able to cross the Pacific Ocean on his first attempt, an unprecedented achievement in history. From that lesson during the pandemic, I derived an idea, and from that idea, a successful book on Magellan’s voyage was born.

In my subsequent years in Lisbon, I continued to learn a surprising number of things. They were the years of the greatest professional and personal growth in my life. Thanks to my international colleagues, I learned new working styles, methodologies, and approaches. I could discover more in a lunch conversation than if I had read entire books. These years have provided me with many benefits, such as international visibility and projects to pursue, but most importantly, friendships and professional relationships that I am sure will last for a long time. Although a new career path is opening before me, my role in the RUTTER project will not end but will be more marginal. Despite this, I will never cease to feel a part of this reality that has so decisively defined my identity as a scholar.

In conclusion, I would like to thank my boss, Prof. Henrique Leitão, for these pivotal years. I would also like to thank all my colleagues, which would be too many to mention individually by name, and I would not like to forget any of them, but to all, really to all, goes my gratitude. I also thank the Portuguese people for winning me over with their fascinating history, their past so dense and their culture so welcoming. [David Salomoni]

Science on the Verge of Disaster? The 1577-78 Comets and the Astrological Predictions in Europe and Asia

Following up on the previous blogposts on documental surprises awaiting the researcher when visiting archives, we could not fail to report on an unexpected document found in the Vatican Secret Archives, filed under the Nunziatura di Portogallo. The documents in question are part of the correspondence collection of Monsignor Roberto Fontana, who served as the apostolic collector in Portugal between 1577 and 1583. The letters were exchanged between Fontana and Rome during the papacy of Gregory XIII (1572-1585).

Shortly after arriving in Portugal, Monsignor Fontana reported on the illness of Queen Catherine of Austria (1507-1578). In his report, he commented on the Queen’s worsening health and expressed hope for her recovery, despite her advanced age, due to the appearance of a comet that year. Fontana’s mention of the comet is linked to the astrological predictions about the fate of Portuguese King Sebastian (1557-1578) in the upcoming Alcazar-Quibir battle in August 1578, as shown in the following treatise. While astrologers in Portugal and Europe debated whether the comet was a good or bad sign, Fontana believed it was a positive omen for Queen Catherine’s recovery. However, in February 1578, Fontana sadly reported that he had been mistaken as the Queen had passed away.

Catherine of Austria, Queen of Portugal

Now, Monsignor Fontana’s interest in the astrological predictions surrounding comets did not end with the Queen’s death. In 1579, while reporting on the Portuguese empire in Asia, Fontana collected an interesting piece of information about the impact of the 1578 comet in distant India. During the war between Sultan Ali Adil Shah I of Bijapur (1558-1579) and the Portuguese viceroy, D. Luís de Ataíde (1578-1581), the Sultan became concerned about the comet’s significance and asked his astrologers to predict whether it indicated a victory or defeat for him in the war. When the astrologers predicted that the comet foretold his defeat (as indeed happened with the failed conquest of Portuguese Goa in 1578), the Sultan asked for measures to reverse its bad effects. Some suggested that he sacrifice human flesh, while others recommended building a golden comet similar to the one seen that year to be worshiped as a symbol of a new era. In addition, the Sultan was advised to order all men in his kingdom to be circumcised to commemorate the new era. While this document does not describe the outcome of these events, it is known that the Sultan died shortly afterwards.

Ali Adil Shah I of Bijapur

Thus, the bad omens of the 1577 and 1578 comets were confirmed both in Europe and Asia, showing decisively how astrological predictions were regularly practised and widely commented in those days. When it came to making forecasts on important events, astrological science was always called into action as had been happening ever since Antiquity. No Papal order could prevent such an interest, even if it came from a distinguished member of the Papacy, Monsignor Roberto Fontana, who voiced his personal opinions on contemporary events while stationed in Portugal. [Nuno Vila-Santa]