Sebastianism

Sebastianism is part of the Portuguese mythology and culture. It means the waiting of a hero that will save Portugal and lead it to the Fifth Empire, and known as Eu nacional (national Me). There are possible mentions of this hero in Armageddon of Nostradamus. Fernando Pessoa also wrote about these hero-to-come in his epic A mensagem (The Message) supporting his ideas on predictions and myths. Armaggedon: Century V
The great city of Tarsus by the Gauls
Will be destroyed, all of the Turban captives:
Help by sea from the great one of Portugal,
First day of summer Urban's consecration.

Sebastian, the Child King

The name 'Sebastianism' derives from King Sebastian of Portugal (January 20, 1554 - August 4, 1578), grandson of John III, who became heir to the throne due to the death of his father, prince Joao of Portugal in 1554 two weeks before his birth, and who succeeded to the throne three years later. This period saw continued Portuguese colonial expansion in Africa, Asia and Brazil, Luis de Cames wrote the Lusiad in his honor. The young King grew up under the guidance of the Jesuits. He also convinced himself that he was to be Christ's captain in a crusade against the Muslims of Africa.

The birth of a hero and a myth

Almost immediately upon attaining his majority, Sebastian began plans for a great crusade against the Moroccans of Fez. The Portuguese crusaders crossed into Morocco in 1578 and, against the advice of his commanders, Sebastian marched deep inland. At Alcazarquivir (Field of the Three Kings) the Portuguese were routed by Ahmed Mohammed of Fez, and Sebastian was almost certainly killed in battle or subsequently executed. But for the Portuguese people, he was just disappeared and he would return home, to the extent that, in 1640, King John IV of Portugal had to swear to yield his throne to Sebastian, in case Sebastian (who would then be 86-year-old) returned. His death (or disappearance), Portugal saw its independence gone (1580) and the Portuguese Empire started declining. In the time of Spanish occupation (1580-1640), some impostors claimed to be King Sebastian in 1584, 1585, 1595 and 1598. Because of these events, he then passed into legend as a great Portuguese patriot and hero - the "sleeping King" who would return to help Portugal in her darkest hour, in a foggy day.

Late Sebastianism

Even as late as in 19th century, Sebastianist peasants in the Brazilian serto believed that the king would return to help them against the "godless" Brazilian Republic, combating it in the Canudos rebellion. Before, in 1565, the city of Rio de Janeiro was founded during his reign and in his honour, as city of Saint Sebastian of Rio de Janeiro (Cidade de So Sebastio do Rio de Janeiro), a living saint. In that same century, in Portugal, people, still strongly believed that the king would return and his legend and return is still attended by some mothers to their children today.

See also

 

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