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Everyday Life
Everyday Life of the Aztecs
Reconstructs Mexican life on the eve of the Spanish Conquest, using archaeological evidence & early documentary sources. Chronicles phases of Aztec history, from the period of wandering documented only by legends to the famous Golden Age of Aztec culture. B&W illus.
Paperback
First published January 1, 1968
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
August 29, 2021
FOLLOWING THE EQUATOR TO TENOCHTITLAN
"No tribe, however magnificent, and no nation, howsoever mighty, occupies a foot of land that was not stolen." – Mark Twain/Following the Equator
I followed up another of Twain’s travel journals with a book I had read about 20 years ago on the Everyday Life of the Aztecs. As it turns out, many of the observations by Twain made on his trek across Australia may be applied to pre-Columbian life in the New World. Starting with the quote on real estate. All the weeping over the Spanish occupation/takeover of the Aztec Empire by the man-bun protesters pulling down statues of Columbus overlooks the central fact that the Aztecs were unwelcome invaders in the Valle Central of Mexico.
In fact, the only reason Cortez and the Conquistadores succeeded is because they capitalized on the bitter enmity of the client states such as Tlaxcala. The Aztecs had more in common with the Spaniards than the latter would care to admit. Both viewed their world and events, including war, through the prism of religion. Aztecs fought battles and took prisoners because anything less was an insult to their religion. The Spanish naturally took exception to the Aztec pantheon. Oh, and the fact that the Aztecs practiced human sacrifice to appease their vindictive gods.
The Conquest changed the world in profound ways. We can be thankful that ripping out the hearts of victims was replaced by Christianity. Still, it’s worth remembering that “There are many humorous things in the world; among them the white man’s notion that he is less savage than the other savages.” (Twain)
"No tribe, however magnificent, and no nation, howsoever mighty, occupies a foot of land that was not stolen." – Mark Twain/Following the Equator
I followed up another of Twain’s travel journals with a book I had read about 20 years ago on the Everyday Life of the Aztecs. As it turns out, many of the observations by Twain made on his trek across Australia may be applied to pre-Columbian life in the New World. Starting with the quote on real estate. All the weeping over the Spanish occupation/takeover of the Aztec Empire by the man-bun protesters pulling down statues of Columbus overlooks the central fact that the Aztecs were unwelcome invaders in the Valle Central of Mexico.
In fact, the only reason Cortez and the Conquistadores succeeded is because they capitalized on the bitter enmity of the client states such as Tlaxcala. The Aztecs had more in common with the Spaniards than the latter would care to admit. Both viewed their world and events, including war, through the prism of religion. Aztecs fought battles and took prisoners because anything less was an insult to their religion. The Spanish naturally took exception to the Aztec pantheon. Oh, and the fact that the Aztecs practiced human sacrifice to appease their vindictive gods.
The Conquest changed the world in profound ways. We can be thankful that ripping out the hearts of victims was replaced by Christianity. Still, it’s worth remembering that “There are many humorous things in the world; among them the white man’s notion that he is less savage than the other savages.” (Twain)
May 20, 2017
The organization of the material and the pictures are the best part of this book, which is a broad overview of life among the Mexica. The text is not sensational and thankfully spends very little time on the conquest, but has little new to say about the Mexica. Great first read for a newcomer to the subject!
August 5, 2019
Informative and clear a book to give you some background.
June 20, 2016
Alison, Central patron, June 2016, 3 stars:
I loved Simon Levack's mystery series set in the Aztec empire shortly before the conquest. I read this book to add depth to my understanding of the Aztecs ... but honestly it didn't add that much. Highly recommend you track down a Levack novel instead.
I loved Simon Levack's mystery series set in the Aztec empire shortly before the conquest. I read this book to add depth to my understanding of the Aztecs ... but honestly it didn't add that much. Highly recommend you track down a Levack novel instead.
March 6, 2013
For being a bit outdated, I found it to be very informative and interesting. Likewise, the illustrations are plain black and white yet they give a clear example of what they are describing. If you are interested in history and the Aztec culture this is a must read!
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews