Burkhard Reis

The story of Fortunatus, a proto-novel or chapbook first published in Augsburg in 1509, recounts the adventures of a legendary hero. Originating from Famagusta in Cyprus, Fortunatus encounters the goddess of Fortune, who bestows upon him a magical purse that perpetually replenishes itself. He later acquires a magical hat from the Sultan of Cairo, which allows him to travel anywhere instantly. The tale follows his luxurious life and the subsequent downfall of his sons, Ampedo and Andelosia, due to their jealousy and recklessness.

The narrative is recognized as a transitional work, marking the shift from a feudal society to a more modern, capitalist world, similar to Cervantes' Don Quixote. While not strictly a morality tale, it conveys the lesson that wisdom and reason are more valuable than material wealth, as fortune can be easily lost without them. The story's plot is classified as tale type ATU 566 in the Aarne-Thompson-Uther Index, with variants found across various continents, suggesting a widespread oral tradition. The original text integrated numerous sources, including travelogues and accounts of historical figures.

The central figure of the tale is Fortunatus, a hero whose story was popular in Europe during the 15th and 16th centuries. According to the narrative, he hailed from Famagusta, Cyprus. In a forest, he met the goddess of Fortune, who gifted him an inexhaustible purse. Later, in Cairo, he obtained a magical hat that could transport him anywhere. He used these gifts to live a life of luxury. Upon his death, he bequeathed the purse and hat to his sons, Ampedo and Andelosia. However, their mutual envy and foolishness led to their ruin, illustrating the precariousness of wealth without good judgment.

The tale of Fortunatus is considered significant for reflecting the transition from the medieval feudal era to the burgeoning capitalist and globalized world. Its moral, emphasizing the superiority of wisdom and reason over material riches, serves as a cautionary lesson: fortune, however acquired, is easily squandered without prudence. The story's plot, cataloged as ATU 566 ('The Three Magic Objects and the Wonderful Fruits'), has numerous parallels in oral traditions spanning Europe, Asia, the Americas, and Africa, indicating its broad cultural resonance. The original 1509 publication synthesized various existing narratives and accounts.

The earliest known edition of Fortunatus appeared in Augsburg in 1509, printed by Johann Otmar and sold by Johannes Heybler, who is considered a plausible author. The text drew upon a variety of sources, including Johannes von Montevilla's Itinerarius, accounts of Vlad III Dracula, the Gesta Romanorum, and travel descriptions like those of Hans Tucher and Bernhard von Breydenbach. Scholars have debated its origins, with suggestions ranging from Nordic roots and ancient Nordic sources to Iberian or Spanish influences, based on character names. The story's magical elements and narrative structure also bear resemblances to other folktale types, such as ATU 563 and ATU 569.