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Aztecs of Central Mexico: An Imperial Society
Who were the Aztecs, really? AZTECS OF CENTRAL AN IMPERIAL SOCIETY answers that question by covering the compelling story of a complex, imperial society in Central Mexico during the 15th and 16th centuries. It uses pre- and post-Spanish conquest documents and illustrations, as well as archaeological discoveries, to reconstruct the variety and "feel" of Aztec daily life at various status levels.
192 pages, Paperback
First published January 2, 1982
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About the author
Frances F. Berdan
27 books2 followersFrances F. Berdan is an American archaeologist specializing in the Aztecs and professor emerita of anthropology at California State University, San Bernardino. Berdan has authored many influential books about the Aztec civilization.
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April 19, 2009
In the early 16th century, savage barbarians from Europe in search of mineral riches came with their horse beasts with a horde of about 500 led by Cortes, and brought the entire empire of hundreds of thousands of primitive, superstitious, depraved cannibals to their knees. In the 100 years that followed, over 90 percent of the native population was exterminated due to war and disease.
The Aztecs were a creative, if not refined, bunch. Once, a daughter of a neighboring fiefdom was married off to an Aztec aristocrat to forge an alliance. Then, unprovoked, she was skinned and the father was invited to a banquet with the Aztec leaders. During the festivities, the priest comes out and dances wearing the skin of the daughter before the horrified father.
Perhaps tens of thousands of sacrifices happened every year because the Aztecs felt the gods needed their help to feast on human blood in order to ensure that the universe kept going. (The Spaniards outlawed these practices and many Aztecs then abandoned their religion because to their dismay, the universe kept on going.)
The Aztecs were a brutal militaristic empire hell bent on making all their neighbors into tributary states, which would be brutally suppressed in the event of a revolt, or punished if they failed to pay tribute, and subsequently forced to pay double their tribute. At least they had a sense of humor.
They were sick and twisted, and I was really happy when the Europeans finally came to slaughter them all with their dozen muskets and cannons. I mean, the Spanish were poisoned with religious zealotism also, but at least their brand of religion was fertile for individualism and progressive amelioration, whereas the Aztecs were backward beyond reprieve.
The first ethnography I've ever read. I liked it.
The Aztecs were a creative, if not refined, bunch. Once, a daughter of a neighboring fiefdom was married off to an Aztec aristocrat to forge an alliance. Then, unprovoked, she was skinned and the father was invited to a banquet with the Aztec leaders. During the festivities, the priest comes out and dances wearing the skin of the daughter before the horrified father.
Perhaps tens of thousands of sacrifices happened every year because the Aztecs felt the gods needed their help to feast on human blood in order to ensure that the universe kept going. (The Spaniards outlawed these practices and many Aztecs then abandoned their religion because to their dismay, the universe kept on going.)
The Aztecs were a brutal militaristic empire hell bent on making all their neighbors into tributary states, which would be brutally suppressed in the event of a revolt, or punished if they failed to pay tribute, and subsequently forced to pay double their tribute. At least they had a sense of humor.
They were sick and twisted, and I was really happy when the Europeans finally came to slaughter them all with their dozen muskets and cannons. I mean, the Spanish were poisoned with religious zealotism also, but at least their brand of religion was fertile for individualism and progressive amelioration, whereas the Aztecs were backward beyond reprieve.
The first ethnography I've ever read. I liked it.
Displaying 1 of 1 review