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Ancient Peoples and Places
The Aztecs
A dynamic and powerful people, the Aztecs flourished in Central America between 1325 and 1521. Their magnificent capital, Tenochtitlan, was one of the world’s largest cities in the 16th century, and from here the Aztecs governed a vast empire that stretched from present-day Mexico to Guatemala, and from the Atlantic to the Pacific oceans.
In his remarkable history, Richard F. Townsend traces the history of the Aztecs, from wandering tribespeople to empire builders, and their final demise at the hands of Cortes’s invading army. His classic text on the subject is newly presented in a stunning Folio edition that includes a companion volume of 90 beautifully reproduced colour photographs of incredible artefacts, awe-inspiring temples and beautiful mosaics.
In his remarkable history, Richard F. Townsend traces the history of the Aztecs, from wandering tribespeople to empire builders, and their final demise at the hands of Cortes’s invading army. His classic text on the subject is newly presented in a stunning Folio edition that includes a companion volume of 90 beautifully reproduced colour photographs of incredible artefacts, awe-inspiring temples and beautiful mosaics.
312 pages, Hardcover
First published June 1, 1992
9 people are currently reading
1130 people want to read
About the author
Richard F. Townsend
10 books4 followersRichard Fraser Townsend, a noted expert on pre-Columbian culture, received his Ph.D. from Harvard University for his work on the art of Tenochtitlan. He is now Curator of the Department of Africa, Oceania, and the Americas at The Art Institute of Chicago. He has conducted extensive field research at Aztec sites and is the editor of the major exhibition catalogs, The Ancient Americas: Art from Sacred Landscapes and Ancient West Mexico.
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
August 6, 2018
A pretty decent history book. It goes a little to much into archeology for me but overall it was an informative books. Recommended
January 17, 2022
A pretty good review. i do wish he had covered at least briefly, what happened after Cortes left and how the state was dissolved and colonized.
July 20, 2015
I have been fascinated with the Aztecs on and off since childhood, when I first saw a photo of a statue of Coatlicue in a mythology encyclopaedia. I was horrified, frightened and utterly, utterly in love. Funnily enough that photo is in this book too.
Even though it’s a textbook it isn’t overly scholarly, and is quite readable (it just took me a while). However, due to the structure of the book I wouldn’t recommend it for someone who doesn’t have a little bit of knowledge on the subject already; it starts with Cortez and their destruction, then goes back to trace their roots through the early tribes, through to how they maintained an empire-like social structure – and only the final two chapters talk about their religion and the day-to-day lives of the people. Even then, the focus is more on physical history than social; the chapter on religion does give an overview of their different deities, but it’s very brief and prefers to focus on the calendar system and ritual sites rather than give any deeper insight into their actual mythology (except for briefly outlining their creation myth and Huitzilopochtli’s ‘main’ myth as a backdrop for explaining features of the sites and the Mexica’s early tribal history). It could be that there is some confusion over it, because everything I read seems to give different accounts e.g the creator is either a male and female god or one god that is both, sometimes Tezcatlipoca is a trickstery god of fate and sorcery, sometimes a reasonably benevolent but prone to whims god of fate and the wealthy and slaves...Maybe he just wasn’t that bothered about addressing it; he puts forward a belief that the human sacrifice was as much a political move to inure citizens to bloodshed and create fear in enemies as to do with the central religious belief of sacrifice to keep the gods and the world going – if not more so. I’m not sure how I feel about that.
Anyway, I feel that the structure and focus of the book might put people off unless they already have a vested interest in the subject. I find the Horrible Histories books can be a good primer even for adults, as the silly humour can help soften a serious subject – and it presents the information as bite size chunks which are easier to remember.
Even though it’s a textbook it isn’t overly scholarly, and is quite readable (it just took me a while). However, due to the structure of the book I wouldn’t recommend it for someone who doesn’t have a little bit of knowledge on the subject already; it starts with Cortez and their destruction, then goes back to trace their roots through the early tribes, through to how they maintained an empire-like social structure – and only the final two chapters talk about their religion and the day-to-day lives of the people. Even then, the focus is more on physical history than social; the chapter on religion does give an overview of their different deities, but it’s very brief and prefers to focus on the calendar system and ritual sites rather than give any deeper insight into their actual mythology (except for briefly outlining their creation myth and Huitzilopochtli’s ‘main’ myth as a backdrop for explaining features of the sites and the Mexica’s early tribal history). It could be that there is some confusion over it, because everything I read seems to give different accounts e.g the creator is either a male and female god or one god that is both, sometimes Tezcatlipoca is a trickstery god of fate and sorcery, sometimes a reasonably benevolent but prone to whims god of fate and the wealthy and slaves...Maybe he just wasn’t that bothered about addressing it; he puts forward a belief that the human sacrifice was as much a political move to inure citizens to bloodshed and create fear in enemies as to do with the central religious belief of sacrifice to keep the gods and the world going – if not more so. I’m not sure how I feel about that.
Anyway, I feel that the structure and focus of the book might put people off unless they already have a vested interest in the subject. I find the Horrible Histories books can be a good primer even for adults, as the silly humour can help soften a serious subject – and it presents the information as bite size chunks which are easier to remember.
May 16, 2023
Jag är inte så intresserad när jag slutade läsa som när jag började
November 16, 2013
Was given to me by someone who had taken a course on Aztec society. Since I had very little knowledge on the subject, I decided to give the book a chance. It explains the rise and fall of a great civilization, taken over by Hernan Cortes and the Spanish. It is a good book to read before diving into heavier, more specific texts on the subject.
Keep in mind this is a text book. Do not expect to say it is something that you cannot put down. It does give great information on subjects like Aztec religious beliefs and the building and expansion of an empire. It has great illustrations, such as codices, which I had to be taught how to read correctly.
For my next reading on the Aztecs, I would like to read something about the fall of the empire. However, I was given many recommendations on what to read.
Keep in mind this is a text book. Do not expect to say it is something that you cannot put down. It does give great information on subjects like Aztec religious beliefs and the building and expansion of an empire. It has great illustrations, such as codices, which I had to be taught how to read correctly.
For my next reading on the Aztecs, I would like to read something about the fall of the empire. However, I was given many recommendations on what to read.
April 23, 2011
Townsend and smith disagree on some point, but then this is still a growing subject and you can kind of expect that.
March 17, 2017
After reading The Aztecs: A Very Short Introduction I was interested in reading a bit more on the topic and this book was conveniently available at my library. It took me a bit of time to get around to reading it, but it proved to be quite readable and informative. I especially liked a map of the Valley of Mexico that I referred back to repeatedly while reading the history of the empire to get a better sense of how things related to each other. I just wish that some of the broader focus maps had as much detail since they sometimes don't include sites referenced in the text. The map also helped me to finally understand the "Triple Alliance". I think most maps I've seen just have a dense cluster of dots for Techontitlan, Tetzcoco, and Tlacopan on a zoomed out image of the region. Seeing a bit more of the geography and just how spread out these three city-states were helped emphasize that they were distinct polities.
I do wonder why the two books on Aztec history I've read feel a need to start with the Spanish invasion. Would a history of the Persian Empire start with the conquest by Alexander of Macedon? It feels a bit insulting, like it is framing the history with its inevitable collapse. It does allow the description from then on to concentrate mainly on the pre-Columbian history and society, but conversely it also severs the Aztec narrative at the point of invasion. The Very Short Introduction did talk about continuity of culture into the modern period, but I find myself thinking that a more complete history should include more about the colonial period and developments then.
Another good thing about the book is the wealth of illustrations. None are in color, but that is understandable given the cost of color printing, and the black and white images are quite informative. It does leave me wishing that there were facsimile copies with translations of the various codices, since those seem like they would contain a lot of interesting information.
I do wonder why the two books on Aztec history I've read feel a need to start with the Spanish invasion. Would a history of the Persian Empire start with the conquest by Alexander of Macedon? It feels a bit insulting, like it is framing the history with its inevitable collapse. It does allow the description from then on to concentrate mainly on the pre-Columbian history and society, but conversely it also severs the Aztec narrative at the point of invasion. The Very Short Introduction did talk about continuity of culture into the modern period, but I find myself thinking that a more complete history should include more about the colonial period and developments then.
Another good thing about the book is the wealth of illustrations. None are in color, but that is understandable given the cost of color printing, and the black and white images are quite informative. It does leave me wishing that there were facsimile copies with translations of the various codices, since those seem like they would contain a lot of interesting information.
October 19, 2017
This was a very insightful and interesting book about the Aztecs early and late history. It talks about heir religion, their military, and the other aspects that make up the Aztec culture. I would recommend this book to those who are interested in the Age of Discovery, Central American cultures, and the Spanish Conquistadors.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 13, 2017
Very informative and a good research tool with Ross Hassig's work. The two complement each other, with this work filling out the social side particularly well.
Read
March 21, 2020Hititlr
June 1, 2020
Great and comprehensive introduction to the history, culture and society of the Aztecs, the greatest empire in Mesoamerican history!
Read
March 5, 2021Read for an Anthropology of Ancient American Civilizations course.
February 10, 2025
Es un muy buen libro de historia, aunque creo que se disfruta más con mayor conocimiento previo.
June 26, 2025
Is a wordy book, almost like a textbook. Gives great details on the customs, language, and the culture of the Aztecs.
March 9, 2017
In this history of the Aztec much is discussed regarding their culture and customs. Photographs of artifacts are included in the work. This is an interesting read on of one of the Native American groups of present day Mexico.
October 14, 2016
An incredible, easy to read insight into one of the world's most intriguing civilizations.
This generous, glossy book is an incredibly detailed historical account of the Aztec civilization, from its mythologized beginnings to its exceptionally bloody end.
Stories of gods, heroes, and the native peoples of Mexico's way of life will delight readers, even those with copious knowledge of the civilization. Illustrations paint a picture of the highly scientific and religiously motivated civilization, as well as their inability to make friends with neighboring regions.
Conquistadors may have distorted some of the more in depth aspects of traditional Aztec life, but we are lucky to have the codices we do that offer readers a primary source document for mythology and devotions of native Mexicans. The author delves into philosophical aspects of the peoples of Mexico, what they could have been, and where they were going before the arrival of the Spanish armada.
Readers know the story of 300 some odd men taking over an entire civilization, but they may not realize that other native Mexicans were goaded into helping defeat their neighbors, and then subjugated by their captors. The Aztec tale is one of early Mexico itself, a country of many civilizations, one being supreme, but not enough to save it during its darkest hour.
Highly recommended for native Mexican scholars and historical enthusiasts.
This generous, glossy book is an incredibly detailed historical account of the Aztec civilization, from its mythologized beginnings to its exceptionally bloody end.
Stories of gods, heroes, and the native peoples of Mexico's way of life will delight readers, even those with copious knowledge of the civilization. Illustrations paint a picture of the highly scientific and religiously motivated civilization, as well as their inability to make friends with neighboring regions.
Conquistadors may have distorted some of the more in depth aspects of traditional Aztec life, but we are lucky to have the codices we do that offer readers a primary source document for mythology and devotions of native Mexicans. The author delves into philosophical aspects of the peoples of Mexico, what they could have been, and where they were going before the arrival of the Spanish armada.
Readers know the story of 300 some odd men taking over an entire civilization, but they may not realize that other native Mexicans were goaded into helping defeat their neighbors, and then subjugated by their captors. The Aztec tale is one of early Mexico itself, a country of many civilizations, one being supreme, but not enough to save it during its darkest hour.
Highly recommended for native Mexican scholars and historical enthusiasts.
January 1, 2021
I enjoyed this book, with reservations.
The text itself is well-written and is divided into six sections. The first introduces the coronation ceremony of Montezuma (II); the second describes the origins of civilization in the Valley of Mexico including the Toltecs and early Nahua peoples. Section three focuses on the Aztec Empire proper from the formation of the Triple Alliance onwards. Sections four and five focus on the religion, worldview, and calendrical system and daily life and occupations. Section 6 is about the Conquest. Each of these sections is richly illustrated with photos of relevant landscapes and archeology, illustrations from codices, and diagrams and tables. The archaeological sections are all fascinating, and the author sometimes delves into comparative anthropology with involving modern peoples..
My only concern is that the author does not directly seem to take a critical eye towards the primary sources (codices and alphabetic documents). When the author is recounting items such as myths, daily life, or even the events of various emperors and the Conquest, it is unclear if the various and sometimes conflicting documents are being critically analyzed or if their accounts are being paraphrased at more-or-less face value.
The text itself is well-written and is divided into six sections. The first introduces the coronation ceremony of Montezuma (II); the second describes the origins of civilization in the Valley of Mexico including the Toltecs and early Nahua peoples. Section three focuses on the Aztec Empire proper from the formation of the Triple Alliance onwards. Sections four and five focus on the religion, worldview, and calendrical system and daily life and occupations. Section 6 is about the Conquest. Each of these sections is richly illustrated with photos of relevant landscapes and archeology, illustrations from codices, and diagrams and tables. The archaeological sections are all fascinating, and the author sometimes delves into comparative anthropology with involving modern peoples..
My only concern is that the author does not directly seem to take a critical eye towards the primary sources (codices and alphabetic documents). When the author is recounting items such as myths, daily life, or even the events of various emperors and the Conquest, it is unclear if the various and sometimes conflicting documents are being critically analyzed or if their accounts are being paraphrased at more-or-less face value.
March 20, 2016
A solid overview of Aztec culture and, to a lesser extent, history. It's not really an academic work, but rather reads like a "greatest hits" of scholarly works that can give a regular reader a decent grounding in the subjects (as well as a bibliography for further reading). Given that it's largely an overview, there are a lot of subjects where the depth isn't great, but it's a short, very readable book that's enjoyable to read.
December 18, 2014
Another textbook about Aztec history. Unlike some, most of this is organized thematically rather than by narrative. Solid, but some parts, like the ones about the Conquest, tend more toward sensationalism than helpful and show signs of not having been revised recently.
March 2, 2008
A very good overview of Aztec history and culture.
Read
April 29, 2011I loved the picture in this book, aztec history is so fascinating
September 18, 2016
This is an exquisite volume dedicated to a thorough introduction to the Aztec world and mind. A must fro students of Mesoamerican cultures.
November 23, 2012
It's not a bad book by any means. It has a lot of good information. However, it's on the dry side, especially compared to Smith's book on the Aztecs.
May 6, 2013
Very thorough, unbiased, in-depth. Review forthcoming.
November 22, 2013
Good, yet it didn't keep my attention.
Read
October 2, 2015Another comprehensive overview of Aztec history, though again with a Mexican bias. Focuses more on the "imperial project" than the Smith book.
July 25, 2010
A concise and balanced introduction to one of the most import civilisations of the Americas.
September 11, 2017
I registered a book at BookCrossing.com!
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/14715686
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/14715686
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews