Strategies for Eternity in a context of earthly changes: testers of Rio de Janeiro and requests for suffrages in the second half of the 18th century

Abstract

This article analyzes the impact of “testamentary laws” on the “economy of salvation”, in Rio de Janeiro of the eighteenth century, demonstrating that before the Pombaline restrictions on overspending with the votes in favor of the soul’s salvation after death there were different responses cariocas testers: unsatisfied and permeated subterfuge attitudes to ensure the greatest number of prayers, even more conformist responses that demonstrate the impact of testamentary law on the relationship of the living to the dead.