El mito y la historia crítica o Mayáns contra F.J. de la Huerta

Abstract

Classical antiquity was the source from which emerged most of the exploits of characters such as Atlas, Geryon, Hercules, Gargoris, etc. that as a result of euhemerism had featured as actual episodes in the histories of Spain and other European nations in order to demonstrate the primitive and prestigious background of the country. In the eighteenth century, several "ilustrados" attempted to reform the historical studies and to banish these fables and myths. One outstanding exponent of this concern is Gregorio Mayáns, who devoted his utmost efforts combating the publication and dissemination of what he regarded as the continuation of the pseudo-history of preceding centuries. His critique of Francisco Javier de la Huerta y Vega’s España Primitiva was a splendid example of the application of a critical method to the practice of historiography.