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Aztec Thought And Culture Summary

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Aztec Thought and Culture The ancient Aztec civilization is usually thought of as a barbaric, unintelligent people throughout modern society. This could be an ideal carried down from the Spaniards that concord the native lands or even something as simple as today’s society creating overblown stereotypes because of conjoined lack of understanding and overall knowledge. But, because of the extensive research and studies done by Miguel León-Portilla we are able to discover the true nature of the Aztec peoples way of life. Within the book “Aztec Thought and Culture” the author explains the develop of the Aztec civilization through education and philosophy as well as describing the Aztec people as an advanced society rather than the popular belief of a savage people and culture. The first chapter, The Birth of Philosophy among the Nahuas, describes the beginning of Aztec thought outside of what was the basic ideals and morals of this civilization. Within the first paragraph the author references the work of Alfonso Caso,stating that he “has recreated the essence of the Aztec concept of the universe, demonstrating that the various cosmic beliefs of the Nahuas revolved around the great solar myth which enthroned the Aztecs specifically as “the people of the sun.” Meaning he was able to explain the Aztec mythology and its connection to …show more content…

It is also explained that the tlamatinime became aware of the meaning this world holds and discovered that they must wait to look for the truth in the world of the dead and in the place of the gods. So they left behind songs and poems in order to ensure the education of the next generations. they believed nothing on the earth would survive and it would all perish so they passed down their knowledge through word of mouth. The book explains the importance of the Aztec peoples development of philosophical

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