Aztec Thought and Culture

A Study of the Ancient Nahuatl Mind

Nonfiction, History, Americas, Latin America, Social & Cultural Studies, Social Science, Anthropology
Cover of the book Aztec Thought and Culture by Miguel León-Portilla, University of Oklahoma Press
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Miguel León-Portilla ISBN: 9780806188560
Publisher: University of Oklahoma Press Publication: November 28, 2012
Imprint: University of Oklahoma Press Language: English
Author: Miguel León-Portilla
ISBN: 9780806188560
Publisher: University of Oklahoma Press
Publication: November 28, 2012
Imprint: University of Oklahoma Press
Language: English

For at least two millennia before the advent of the Spaniards in 1519, there was a flourishing civilization in central Mexico. During that long span of time a cultural evolution took place which saw a high development of the arts and literature, the formulation of complex religious doctrines, systems of education, and diverse political and social organization.

The rich documentation concerning these people, commonly called Aztecs, includes, in addition to a few codices written before the Conquest, thousands of folios in the Nahuatl or Aztec language written by natives after the Conquest. Adapting the Latin alphabet, which they had been taught by the missionary friars, to their native tongue, they recorded poems, chronicles, and traditions.

The fundamental concepts of ancient Mexico presented and examined in this book have been taken from more than ninety original Aztec documents. They concern the origin of the universe and of life, conjectures on the mystery of God, the possibility of comprehending things beyond the realm of experience, life after death, and the meaning of education, history, and art. The philosophy of the Nahuatl wise men, which probably stemmed from the ancient doctrines and traditions of the Teotihuacans and Toltecs, quite often reveals profound intuition and in some instances is remarkably “modern.”

This English edition is not a direct translation of the original Spanish, but an adaptation and rewriting of the text for the English-speaking reader.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

For at least two millennia before the advent of the Spaniards in 1519, there was a flourishing civilization in central Mexico. During that long span of time a cultural evolution took place which saw a high development of the arts and literature, the formulation of complex religious doctrines, systems of education, and diverse political and social organization.

The rich documentation concerning these people, commonly called Aztecs, includes, in addition to a few codices written before the Conquest, thousands of folios in the Nahuatl or Aztec language written by natives after the Conquest. Adapting the Latin alphabet, which they had been taught by the missionary friars, to their native tongue, they recorded poems, chronicles, and traditions.

The fundamental concepts of ancient Mexico presented and examined in this book have been taken from more than ninety original Aztec documents. They concern the origin of the universe and of life, conjectures on the mystery of God, the possibility of comprehending things beyond the realm of experience, life after death, and the meaning of education, history, and art. The philosophy of the Nahuatl wise men, which probably stemmed from the ancient doctrines and traditions of the Teotihuacans and Toltecs, quite often reveals profound intuition and in some instances is remarkably “modern.”

This English edition is not a direct translation of the original Spanish, but an adaptation and rewriting of the text for the English-speaking reader.

More books from University of Oklahoma Press

Cover of the book Gall: Lakota War Chief by Miguel León-Portilla
Cover of the book Manifest Destinations by Miguel León-Portilla
Cover of the book When Money Grew on Trees by Miguel León-Portilla
Cover of the book Touring the West with Leaping Lena, 1925 by Miguel León-Portilla
Cover of the book Road to War by Miguel León-Portilla
Cover of the book Pipestone: My Life in an Indian Boarding School by Miguel León-Portilla
Cover of the book Mountain Windsong by Miguel León-Portilla
Cover of the book Boneland by Miguel León-Portilla
Cover of the book The Mexican Flyboy by Miguel León-Portilla
Cover of the book Buffalo Bill on the Silver Screen by Miguel León-Portilla
Cover of the book Cherokee Thoughts by Miguel León-Portilla
Cover of the book Arredondo by Miguel León-Portilla
Cover of the book Walking the Llano by Miguel León-Portilla
Cover of the book Lone Star Unionism, Dissent, and Resistance by Miguel León-Portilla
Cover of the book Ancient Rome by Miguel León-Portilla
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy