Edgar Allan Poe“Eldorado”

Based on Legend

El Dorado (Spanish for "the golden one")

…is a legend that began with the story of a South American tribal chief who covered himself with gold dust and would dive into a lake of pure mountain water.

A possible source of the legend was the golden palace, Coricancha, in the heart of the Inca Empire.

The palace was known for its use of gold, including a golden garden with statues and flowers made out of gold.

Quests for the “City of Gold”

In 1540 Gonzalo Pizarro, the younger half-brother of Francisco Pizarro,

Gonzalo quit after many of the soldiers and Indians had died from hunger, disease, and periodic attacks by hostile natives.

He ordered Orellana to continue downstream, where he eventually made it to the Atlantic Ocean, discovering the Amazon (named Amazon because of a tribe of female warriors that attacked Orellana’s men while on their voyage.)

Fictional Quest for the City

• The Road to El Dorado is a 2000 animated comedy film.

• The movie begins in 16th century Spain with two men named Tulio and Miguel winning a map that shows the location of the city of gold.

Edgar Allan Poe: El Dorado

Gaily bedight,A gallant nightIn sunshine and in shadow,Had journeyed long,Singing a song,In search of El Dorado.But he grew old --This knight so bold --And -- o'er his heart a shadowFell as he foundNo spot of groundThat looked like El Dorado.

• And, as his strengthFailed him at length,He met a pilgrim shadow --"Shadow," said he,"Where can it be --This land of El Dorado?""Over the MountainsOf the Moon,Down the Valley 

• of the Shadow,Ride, boldly ride,"The shade replied --"If you seek for El Dorado."