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The book is not one based on historical facts and figures, but one which is founded on interpretations of what the author believes life was like in different spheres of Aztec life. Clendinnen refers to the Aztec peoples as Mexica(pronounced Meh-SHee-Kah)as that is what they called themselves and her interpretations of Mexican ceremony as a form of visual performance is breathtaking. We firstly delve into the city and what it means to the Mexica people. Then, we enter the minds of the people who enjoy their part of society in different ways. From the warriors and priests, to the mothers, wifes and children of Tenochtitlan. Next, Clendinnen enters the world of rituals, sacrifices and aesthetics before finishing off with the defeat of the Mexican city of Tenochtitlan by the forces of Cortes in Studys into the Aztec way of life have usually focused on the Spanish conquests, rise to power of Tenochtitlan and especially into the ritual performances conducted by the peoples of Mexica. Aztecs:An Interpretation focuses more on the authors interpretations of what the Mexica people may have thought, felt or understood about the world around them. Clendinnen attempts to understand Mexica belief `not in belief at this formal level,but in sensibility:the emotional,moral and aesthetic nexus through which thought comes to be expressed in action,and so made public,visible and accesible to our Clendinnen states that the `account will unhappily,but by necessity,lack historical depth,'2. The sources that she has access to are numerous but Clendinnen chooses to concentrate on General History of the Things of New Spain. A book written by Bernado de Sahagun, a Franciscan monk. This book is commonly called the Florentine Codex and deals with information gathered by Indian scribes. The codex is twelve volumes in length and was collected after the conquests of the Mexica by Spain. Clendinnen states that though the Codex has fallen out of favour with scholars,`they still use them The main writing format consists of `essays-tentative,discusive explorations'4. using `multiple,oblique and angled approaches,wherepossible against the grain of expectation.'5. Clendinnen begins in the city of Tenochtitlan, and explains it's power and prestige to both the Mexica people and the first Spaniards who entered the city in 1519. To them the city must have appeared as a vision,`These great towns and pyramids and buildings rising from the water,all made of stone,seemed like an enchanted vision from the tale of Amadis.Indeed,some of our soldiers asked whether it was not Next, she explains the different and varied roles played by the people within the city. Warriors,who went to war with neighbouring city's not for gold or silver, but for captives. The more captives a warrior had, the more respect and promotional oppurtunity he was granted.`To be born a male in Tenochtitlan was to be designated a warrior' 7. Priests, merchants, wives, children and mothers, all played a vital part in the city's running and rituals. Clendinnen then goes into more detail about rituals and aesthetics and how important the artisans and artists were to the Mexica and especially the poets and songcrafters `commoners with talent finding an open way into Moctezoma's favour,the palace and reknown.' 8. Lastly,Clendinnen discusses in breif the arrival of Cortes in 1519 and his march toward the capitol. How culturally different the two races were and how Cortes and his men misunderstood the 'gifts' of Moctezoma. The 'gifts' given by Moctezoma were `statements of dominance:gestures of wealth and unmatchable liberality made the more glorious by the extravegant humility of their giving.' 9. To the Spaniards, Cortes in particular `He interpreted the offerings as gestures of submission,or as a naive attempt at bribery.' 10. Clendinnen then goes on to state that the Mexica people found the Spanish to be odd in their views of warfare. The Mexica had their first encounter with Horses when Cortes arrived at Tenochtitlan, and the `Indians were to extend a respect for the courage of the horses that they were never to grant their masters.' 11. The Spanish brought many guns and items of war with them but the most devastating was smallpox. It's effects lasted for `60 daysigns' 12. and must of scared the Mexica badly as they believed that the gods would punish them with skin diseases. The way in which Clendinnen writes, her format of essays, allows the reader to obtain an understanding of each section of Mexica society, from the lowly prostitute to honoured warrior, and see how it viewed and took part in the rituals of human sacrifice. Clendinnen's only mistake, though small it would improve the quality of work, is not enough pictures or photos. A few photos of Tenochtitlan and warriors headdresses, clubs and obsidian blades would increase the pleasure 10 fold. Also in places the author tends to divert to other Ameriindian cultures and use their ritual practices as examples. These comparisons can bring the ritual practices of a 500 year extant culture into modern day belief. Inga Clendinnen's Aztecs:An Interpretation is an outstanding book dealing with investigations into how the Mexica peoples may have veiwed the world in which they lived. From the daily life of a commoner to the explosively, awe inspiring lives of the priests and warriors. Clendinnen has used thoughtful insights and a fresh perspective that will have general readers and specialist readers alike engaged in a powerful and elegantly written interpretation that is hard to put down without reflection upon this lost culture. Bibliography: 1:Clendinnen,Inga.Aztecs:An Interpretation.(New York:Cambridge University Press,1991),pg 5 2:ibid.,p.7 3:ibid.,p.9 4:ibid.,p.11 5:ibid.,p.11 6:ibid.,p.17 7:ibid.,p.112 8:ibid.,p.219 9:ibid.,p.269 10:ibid.,p.269 11:ibid.,p.269 12:ibid.,p.270 Word Count: 963
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