Dan Snow's History Hit A New History of the Aztecs
Jun 21, 2020
Camilla Townsend, a Rutgers History Professor specializing in Native American history, shares groundbreaking insights about the Aztecs. She reveals how native narratives written in Nahuatl provide a fresh perspective on their society, challenging traditional stereotypes. Instead of merely violent figures, the Aztecs emerge as complex individuals navigating political allegiances and technological advancements. Townsend emphasizes the importance of these indigenous accounts for a richer understanding of Aztec culture during the Spanish conquest.
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Aztecs' Roman Alphabet Histories
- After conquest, Aztecs used the Roman alphabet to write their own language and preserve history.
- This produced detailed native accounts from pre- and post-contact periods that were previously overlooked.
Aztec Politics Are Complex
- The so-called Aztec Empire was a collection of competing city-states with shifting alliances, like medieval Europe.
- Aztecs had complex politics rather than a static culture, often compared to Game of Thrones but without magic.
Aztec Power Was Paramount, Not Absolute
- The Mexica ruler had more power than others but did not wield absolute control like a European emperor.
- They acted as a paramount state with others needing to stay allied to avoid trouble.