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A systematic study of pre-Columbian Mexican religion, concentrating on the beliefs, deities, rituals, calendar systems, and mythic cosmology of the Nahua-speaking peoples and their divergence from Maya traditions. The author analyzes primary sources—codices, native chronicles, and archaeological evidence—to trace the origins, iconography, and functions of major gods, priesthoods, sacrificial and calendrical rites, and concepts of death and renewal. Chapters compare ritual forms across regions, interpret calendrical and divinatory texts such as the tonalamatl and solar cycles, and discuss how myths and ritual practice shaped social and ceremonial life, supported by illustrations and textual commentary.

About the Author

Spence, Lewis portrait

Lewis Spence

Lewis Spence was a Scottish author and historian, recognized for his extensive work on mythology and folklore. He contributed significantly to the understanding of various cultural myths through his writings. Among his notable works is "An Introduction to Mythology," which serves as a comprehensive guide to the myths of different civilizations. Spence's exploration of legends spans various regions, including Europe and the Americas, with titles such as "Myths and Legends of Ancient Egypt" and "The Popol Vuh: The Mythic and Heroic Sagas of the Kichés of Central America." His scholarship has enriched the literary heritage of mythological studies.

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