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Sub-title: How the Mayans and Aztecs Ruled
for more than a Thousand Years. -Skyhorse Publishing, N. Y., 2014, 289 pgs.,
index, bibliography, notes, illustrations, maps
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Reviewer comments: This is an excellent book
with fine illustrations and good maps. As the title indicates, the focus of
narrative is on the individual rulers (leaders) on the Mayan - Aztec side, with
the Spanish playing the supporting role toward the end period. This is a unique
and excellent approach. However, there is one drawback. In a chapter focused on
one 'warlord' of one city the ruler of a rival city will play the subordinate
role in descriptions of a given battle between them. The, in a subsequent
chapter focused on that second 'warlord' the same battle will be described with
the first guy as the opponent. From a chronological perspective, since two 'war
lords' are ruling simultaneously in two different cities the narrative has to
jump back and forth. This is not a huge problem, but the reader has to be
alert, especially since the names of all these guys are so strange and
frequently so similar, with only small changes in spelling. One might quibble
some with the subtitle: These Mayans and Aztecs ruled DURING parts of a period
of more than a Thousand Years, but not continuously as the subtitle implies.
There were various large time gaps between various rulers. While the entire
story over the centuries is interesting, I believe the casual reader will be
especially fascinated by the latter chapters in which the Spanish conquest is
described from the Aztec view point and Cortez is the minor figure. Thank
goodness also for those maps, because otherwise the relationships between all
these relatively unknown towns would be incomprehensible. Which brings up a
different question. The author describes most of these towns as being heavily
fortified with impressive walls. When one reads about archeology in Mexico and
Guatemala one learns about temples. One has to wonder if any record of these
fortifications has been found in the ground in Mexico. They have been found
around Tikal, the Mayan capital and described to some extent. The notes and
bibliography indicate the author performed excellent research for the basis of
his narrative and integrated the results into a flowing story. He also provides
his own commentary and analysis. Anyone very interested in these events and
leaders can find most of them with Google and on Wikipedia.
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Chapter 1 - Smoking-Frog and the Maya Wars
(Fourth Century): A brief summary description of the Maya at Tikal In
Guatemala, in the 4th century from the point of view that it was conquered at
that time by a ruler from Teotihuacan in the central valley of Mexico. The
author concludes that these 'Teotihuacnos' brought a 'revolutionary' new style
of warfare which enabled Tikal to expand its control over adjacent cities. One
of his major sources, John Carlson, has related this warfare to Maya astronomy
and their observation of Venus, and from this apparently he has coined the name
'Star Wars", which Tsouras then repeats. That seems a bit too cute for me.
The story then jumps about 600 years, during which time, I believe all contact
between Tikal and Teothuacan was lost.
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Chapter 2 - Tolpiltzin Quezalcoatl, Our Lord
the Feathered Serpent (Tenth Century): We are now about 600 years later and in
central Mexico. Note that Tsouras shows the connection between the Toltecs and
Yucatan and not Guatemala. But Wikipedia gives a long break between Topiltzin
(877-947) and Huemac (1047-1122). Whatever, the point of the chapter is to
notice the Aztec myth and belief that there was a Topiltzin Quetzalcoatl and
that this god would return. No question this had great significance when the
Spaniards arrived, as we learn in later chapters.
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Chapter 3 - Tezozomoc, The Mexican
Machiavelli: Now we jump again to (1320-1426) with the early days of the Aztecs
arrival and 'conquest' of the central valley. The war lord here is Tezozomoc,
whom Tsouras calls "The Mexican Machiavelli". This is the only issue
I have with this book and its author. He is confusing Machiavelli with the
straw man Machiavel of later polemical authors. The real Machiavelli was a
poet, playwright, diplomat and especially, the equivalent of Secretary of
Defence in the Florentine republican government. As with some other efforts to
find real historical figures with whom to compare his 'war lords' Tsouras might
have noted Sargon of Akkad or Tiglath Pileser III of Assyria. Otherwise, the
chapter is an interesting study of the political-military policies and
accomplishments of this Tezozomoc. The map is essential for following these
various campaigns. I cannot comment much on the assessment that he was 'one of
the most remarkable monarchs of all time.' I guess 'one of' is an adequate
caveat to place him with the likes of the first emperor of China.
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Chapter 4 - Nezahualcoyotl, The Poet Warlord
(1402 - 1472): Here we arrive at the first of the simultaneous war lords as
this Nezahualcoyotl was a rival of Tezozomoc, ruling a rival city. Still,
describing the two each in his own terms is fine, as long as the reader pays
attention. And there are other lords and towns entering the narrative as well.
We are definitely in the direct back story of the Aztecs on the eve of the
arrival of Cortez. Thus we learn about the nature of their warfare and religion
(and their interconnections). Some modern apologists for the well-known Aztec
human sacrifice like to claim that 'flower wars' were not as violent as
European warfare. The author puts that misunderstanding fully to rest.
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Chapter 5 - Three Hard Men of Tenochtitlan
(1428 - 1469): Again, note the overlapping chronology. Our author, thankfully,
establishes the genealogies and family relations of these leaders. And we also
meet Chimalpopoca, the heir of Tezozomoc, but prisoner of Maxtla. The reader
might make out a 'score card', after all one cannot keep track of the players
without a 'score card'. All this family struggle reminds one of the Wars of the
Roses. Tsouras introduces a large amount of conversation that enlivens the
narrative. The detail in the narrative becomes much more extensive as it needs
to be and as the primary sources enable it. The conclusion one can draw is that
warfare in Mexico was just like warfare in Europe and China, a matter of
contending individuals whose motivation was dominance.
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Chapter - 6 - The Mighty Grandsons of
Motecuhzoma I (1469-1502); The story continues, with three newly introduced
principals. Axayacatl the Scourge (1469-1481) - Tizoc The Poor Ocelot Warriors
(1481-1486) - Ahuitzotl, The Lion of Anahuac (1486-1502) plus many bit players
and regional towns. Civil war becomes endemic. Again, the maps and color
illustrations are critical for understanding the complexity.
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Chapter 7 - Motecuhzoma II Xocoyotl: There
Was Dread in the World (1502 - 1520): We learn that Motecuhzoma Xocoytotl was
elected to succeed Ahuitzotl. We learn even more about this process. The legal
electors were the rulers of specific semi-independent towns (something like the
Electors of the HRE). And the candidates were such due both to their heredity
and proven prowess in battle. We learn more about Aztec thinking from many
well-chosen poems or hymns. The illustrations are terrific. And now the
religious myths create a deadly superstition that make Motecuhzoma hesitate.
Tsouras comments, no doubt rightly, that the cut throat Tlacaelel would not
have hesitated to wipe out every Spaniard in sight immediately. But the ruler
not only hesitates but eventually invites the strange Cortez right into his
palace. Meanwhile Cortez soon learns of the deep hatred of the Aztecs so many
of the other neighboring peoples harbor. The causes of this are well described
by our author in previous chapters. One is reminded of the way the British
gained control of India, how the Romans conquered Gaul and Asia Minor, how the
Americans used Indian tribes against each other. Further contingencies enabled
Cortez to capture all three of the key Aztec rulers, leaving the populace
leaderless, in a society that was subservient to its anointed ruler. But the
Aztec priests were not fooled and furthermore were incited by the Spanish
attack on their gods. The chapter concludes with their uprising and the murder
of Motecuhzoma.
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Chapter 8 - O Mexica, Courage! (1520-1525):
The narrative back tracks at first, as we find Motecuhzoma still alive. Cortez
in another contingency let Cuitlahuac leave the besieged palace in which he
executed so many of the other chieftains. The Aztecs elected Motecuhzoma's
brother, Cuitlahuac, as new ruler and found a powerful warrior and commander.
The chapter contains description of the next battles in the city and the
Spaniards escape over a causeway, during which they lost most of the gold they
had extorted.. Then comes the small pox epidemic in which thousands died
including Cuitlahuac. At this, a nephew, Cuauhtemoc, became ruler. Cortez
retreats, regains the alliance with powerful Mexican leaders and returns to
besiege the capital. This battle again is described in detail, much of it from
the Aztec point of view. The final chapter ends with Cuauhtemoc's surrender and
then murder. The Spaniards are left to argue over what happened to all 'their'
gold. The author concludes with the comment that Cortez's body lies in a church
in Mexico city, which of course is correct, but is misleading in that he leaves
out the years in which Cortez was honored, returned to Spain where he actually
died, and then was brought back in honor to be buried where his descendents had
received land.
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