Camilla Townsend, "Fifth Sun: A New History of the Aztecs" (Oxford UP, 2019)
Feb 5, 2021
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Camilla Townsend, author of 'Fifth Sun: A New History of the Aztecs', challenges long-held assumptions about the Aztecs, tells their story from their perspective, and debunks misconceptions about their beliefs. She discusses unique sources used to study the Aztecs and her approach of starting each chapter with a vignette about a single person to create a cohesive narrative. Townsend also mentions her ongoing project on the Lenape Indians in New York and her plans to return to studying the Aztecs in the future.
The Mexica people did not perceive the Spaniards as gods, but recognized their technological differences and attempted negotiation before conflict escalated.
The Franciscans inadvertently preserved indigenous history by teaching the alphabet and allowing indigenous people to write down their own traditions and languages.
Understanding Aztec history is crucial for both literal and figurative descendants of the Aztecs, as well as non-indigenous individuals, in challenging oppressive narratives and fostering a more accurate understanding of historical dynamics.
Deep dives
The Arrival of the Spaniards and the Role of Disease
The Mexica people were aware that the Spaniards were from a distant land and recognized technological differences, but they did not consider them to be gods. Moctezuma II, the ruler of Tenochtitlan, tried to negotiate with the Spaniards, offering tribute. But when they rejected this, conflict escalated. The Spaniards formed alliances with rival groups, such as the Tlaxcalans, and took advantage of divisions within Mesoamerican society. Disease, like smallpox, further weakened indigenous resistance. The Franciscans played a complicated role, with some attempting to temper the demands of the secular Spanish authorities. Overall, the technological advantages, alliances, and disease contributed to the Spanish success in the conquest of Mexico.
The Indigenous Nobility and the Role of the Franciscans in Post-Conquest Mexico
In the early days of post-conquest Mexico, the Spaniards relied on the indigenous nobility to govern and maintain control. The indigenous rulers held power and collected taxes on behalf of the Spanish authorities. The Franciscans, despite the controversial nature of missionary work, played a role in preserving indigenous culture by teaching the alphabet and allowing indigenous people to write down their own traditions and languages. This preservation of indigenous sources has provided valuable historical insights. Through their work, the Franciscans inadvertently helped preserve the history of the indigenous peoples.
The Descendants and Importance of Understanding Aztec History
Understanding Aztec history is crucial for both the literal and figurative descendants of the Aztecs, as well as for people who do not consider themselves indigenous. For the literal descendants, it helps contextualize the past and challenges oppressive narratives, relieving the burden of their ancestors' loss. It also provides a greater appreciation for the brilliance and dignity of the Aztecs and their response to adversity. For non-indigenous individuals, it helps dispel myths about superiority and fosters a more accurate understanding of historical dynamics. It encourages us all to let go of flattering narratives and move towards more inclusive and equitable perspectives.
The Role and Importance of Disease in the Conquest
Disease, particularly smallpox, played a significant role in the conquest of Mexico. The indigenous populations had no immunity to these diseases, making them vulnerable to devastating epidemics. The Spaniards, on the other hand, had developed immunity through long-term exposure in Europe. This created an advantageous situation for the Europeans, enabling them to continue operating while the indigenous populations suffered. Disease served as a significant factor in the Spanish conquest, amplifying their power and contributing to their overall success.
The Early Days of the Spaniards and the Mexica Rise
In the early days of the Spaniards' arrival in Mexico, the Mexica people, who were aware that these strangers came from a distant land, did not perceive them as gods. Moctezuma II, the ruler of Tenochtitlan, saw them as a threat and offered tribute in an attempt to negotiate. The Mexica's power and control were secured through alliances and tribute payments from other city-states. The narrative of the rise of the Mexica is intertwined with the story of the obsidian snake and the rival polity of Azcapotzalco. Polygyny played a role in the power dynamics within Mexica society, as multiple wives produced competing factions and potential heirs. The Mexica's rise was not fueled by the assumption of divine status, but by strategic alliances and political maneuvering.
In her latest book Fifth Sun: A New History of the Aztecs(Oxford University Press 2020), Camilla Townsend tells the story of the Aztecs from their perspective and using their own historical sources. Although this sounds like a simple premise, a Fifth Sun revolutionizes our way of understanding the past of the Mexica (meh-HEE-kah) and the people that lived under their rule in Mexico’s central valley. Townsend, who has worked on Nahuatl (the politically dominant tongue in central Mexico by the time of the arrival of the Spaniards) sources for over 20 years, crafts a beautiful narrative that captivates readers from the very beginning (she won the prestigious Cundill History Prize for this book), and challenges long-held assumptions about the Mexica (that they thought Europeans were gods is the most obvious example).
Each chapter opens up with a vignette about a single person who once lived, an imaginative act that makes this book profoundly detailed, personal, and moving, all at the same time. Fifth Sun is a short book, but this should not mislead our listeners for Townsend covers the pre-conquest, conquest, and post-conquest periods, moving effortlessly through periods of profound change and adaptation, giving readers a wonderful, imaginative, and fascinating story that the NBN family will surely love to hear more about!
