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Aztecs of Mexico
In the eleventh century the Aztecs arrived in Mexico from the north. Even today their speech is much like that spoken by the Indians of Oregon and Montana. In less than a hundred years, rising on the ruins of the older Mexican cultures, they developed an extraordinary indigenous civilization. Here is the strange story of that rise, and of the even swifter fall under the impact of Cortes and his followers. Dr Vaillant vividly recreates the Aztec way of life. In one fascinating chapter he takes his readers to the great Aztec city, Tenochtitlan, now Mexico City, in the days of the height of the Aztec power, and wanders with him through the town. We learn not only the history of the Aztecs and how their society was organized, but how the children went to school, modes of dress and interesteing aspects of an ancient daily life.
The result is an outstanding book, at once authoritative and interesting, authentic and popular.
[Taken from the inside cover]
The result is an outstanding book, at once authoritative and interesting, authentic and popular.
[Taken from the inside cover]
368 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1941
4 people are currently reading
155 people want to read
About the author
George C. Vaillant
24 books1 followerGeorge Clapp Vaillant was an American anthropologist.
He attended Harvard University where he received his Bachelor's Degree in 1922 and Ph.D. in 1927. His Ph.D. thesis established a chronology of Mayan ceramics. Later on, his work launched the historical sequence of cultures in pre-Columbian Mexico.
At the American Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C., Vaillant was appointed the position of associate curator from 1930 to 1941. He became the honorary curator of Mexican Archaeology from 1941 to 1945; during this time, he also taught at several local universities.
He was the Senior Cultural Relations Officer for the United States Embassy in Lima, Peru from 1943 to 1944.
Vaillant conducted archaeological expeditions in the Southwest from 1921 to 1922 and 1922 to 1925, in Egypt from 1923 to 1924, and in Central America in 1926 and 1928 to 1936. He also organised archaeological programs throughout Latin America.
Aztecs of Mexico: Origins, Rise and Fall of the Aztec Nation was completed in 1941, and a second edition was published posthumously. His other book, Indian Arts in North America, was written in 1939. Vaillant also wrote several monographs on Middle American excavations. His major publications, although not lacking in theoretical import, are noteworthy primarily for the extensive and original field research they reflect.
Later in his career Vaillant excavated at several Aztec sites (Chiconautla and Nonoalco), but failed to publish these projects. Several decades later Christina Elson and other scholars at the American Museum of Natural History completed the study of artifacts from these sites and began a program to publish them.
Vaillant killed himself in Devon, Pennsylvania in 1945, at the age of 44.
- compiled from Wikipedia and Encyclopedia.com
He attended Harvard University where he received his Bachelor's Degree in 1922 and Ph.D. in 1927. His Ph.D. thesis established a chronology of Mayan ceramics. Later on, his work launched the historical sequence of cultures in pre-Columbian Mexico.
At the American Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C., Vaillant was appointed the position of associate curator from 1930 to 1941. He became the honorary curator of Mexican Archaeology from 1941 to 1945; during this time, he also taught at several local universities.
He was the Senior Cultural Relations Officer for the United States Embassy in Lima, Peru from 1943 to 1944.
Vaillant conducted archaeological expeditions in the Southwest from 1921 to 1922 and 1922 to 1925, in Egypt from 1923 to 1924, and in Central America in 1926 and 1928 to 1936. He also organised archaeological programs throughout Latin America.
Aztecs of Mexico: Origins, Rise and Fall of the Aztec Nation was completed in 1941, and a second edition was published posthumously. His other book, Indian Arts in North America, was written in 1939. Vaillant also wrote several monographs on Middle American excavations. His major publications, although not lacking in theoretical import, are noteworthy primarily for the extensive and original field research they reflect.
Later in his career Vaillant excavated at several Aztec sites (Chiconautla and Nonoalco), but failed to publish these projects. Several decades later Christina Elson and other scholars at the American Museum of Natural History completed the study of artifacts from these sites and began a program to publish them.
Vaillant killed himself in Devon, Pennsylvania in 1945, at the age of 44.
- compiled from Wikipedia and Encyclopedia.com
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
May 10, 2016
This was the most boring book EVER! I was constantly bored out of my mind with this book. I would not recommend this book to anyone.
July 31, 2023
Un po’ antiquato, ma come scorre bene 😌
July 16, 2025
The Aztecs of Mexico written by G.C. Vaillant covers the Aztec civilisation such as their formative history, culture, customs, economy, arts, and downfall at the hands of Cortez. Originally published in 1941 the book is somewhat dated but due to the lack of major archeological progress into the Aztec civilisations not as obviously dated as you would expect. Areas where this book is cearly dated are seen most evidently as the begining of the book when discussing precedding civilisations before the Aztecs.
The Aztecs of Mexico was a meticulous account on the Aztec civilisations mostly straying from a linear history of Aztec in favour of a discussion of the Aztecs cultural character a most fascinating topic given the Aztec's unique and underresearched development over many hundreds of years. Vaillant describes with great luccidity the Aztecs tribal goverments and somewhat loose system of laws which mostly relied on social heirachy and local community enforment.
Vaillant also discusses Aztec religion and rituals which show the Aztecs to be a very zealous civilisation with a strong belief in the power of their gods and even a calendar highly organised around relgious superstitions. One of the areas talked about the most in regards to Aztec religion is their human sacrifices which as Vaillant point out are not an overestimated aspect of Aztec culture. Often wars were though for the main purpose of acquring warriors for sacrifice (Flower wars) and other accounts record sacrifices on a mass scale in a attempt to gain the favour of the war god Huitzilopochtli.
The section on Aztec craftsmanship and fine arts was also well handled it is fascinating to see a culture which has produced such awe inspiring temples and architecture also lacking in knowledge and development in many other areas like sculping, daily equipment and weapons of war. The Aztec writing system however was more developed then a had thought. Although somewhat simplistic and pictographic it notheless was able to convey a great deal of important information.
The book also has sixty-four image plates which give greater insight into a particular area he is discussing. Each plate also has a detailed description on their context and importance.
The penultimate chapter on the Aztecs collapse was also very well written going over the key events which led to their subjecagation to Cortez and Spain. Vaillant discredits the notion of Montezuma's weakeness being a key reason as to why the Aztec's lost the war and instead lays the blame on the Aztecs perfidy and disunity. Despite this Vaillant in this chapter and throughout the book takes a very sypathetic view on the Aztecs somewhat suprising for a book written over eighty years ago. He challenges some Spanish accounts which paint the Aztecs in a negative light and praises the Aztecs for their many achievements and legacy in American history. He also notes that although the Aztec civilisation was decimated by the Spanish persecutions and diseases the legacy of the Aztecs does live on with modern Mexican people. Both in their ethnicity with most Mexicans being partial or mostly descendents of the Aztecs and in their customs and beliefs.
Overall a very authoritative, detailed and well written account on the Aztecs people.
The Aztecs of Mexico was a meticulous account on the Aztec civilisations mostly straying from a linear history of Aztec in favour of a discussion of the Aztecs cultural character a most fascinating topic given the Aztec's unique and underresearched development over many hundreds of years. Vaillant describes with great luccidity the Aztecs tribal goverments and somewhat loose system of laws which mostly relied on social heirachy and local community enforment.
Vaillant also discusses Aztec religion and rituals which show the Aztecs to be a very zealous civilisation with a strong belief in the power of their gods and even a calendar highly organised around relgious superstitions. One of the areas talked about the most in regards to Aztec religion is their human sacrifices which as Vaillant point out are not an overestimated aspect of Aztec culture. Often wars were though for the main purpose of acquring warriors for sacrifice (Flower wars) and other accounts record sacrifices on a mass scale in a attempt to gain the favour of the war god Huitzilopochtli.
The section on Aztec craftsmanship and fine arts was also well handled it is fascinating to see a culture which has produced such awe inspiring temples and architecture also lacking in knowledge and development in many other areas like sculping, daily equipment and weapons of war. The Aztec writing system however was more developed then a had thought. Although somewhat simplistic and pictographic it notheless was able to convey a great deal of important information.
The book also has sixty-four image plates which give greater insight into a particular area he is discussing. Each plate also has a detailed description on their context and importance.
The penultimate chapter on the Aztecs collapse was also very well written going over the key events which led to their subjecagation to Cortez and Spain. Vaillant discredits the notion of Montezuma's weakeness being a key reason as to why the Aztec's lost the war and instead lays the blame on the Aztecs perfidy and disunity. Despite this Vaillant in this chapter and throughout the book takes a very sypathetic view on the Aztecs somewhat suprising for a book written over eighty years ago. He challenges some Spanish accounts which paint the Aztecs in a negative light and praises the Aztecs for their many achievements and legacy in American history. He also notes that although the Aztec civilisation was decimated by the Spanish persecutions and diseases the legacy of the Aztecs does live on with modern Mexican people. Both in their ethnicity with most Mexicans being partial or mostly descendents of the Aztecs and in their customs and beliefs.
Overall a very authoritative, detailed and well written account on the Aztecs people.
August 24, 2020
A bit unusually academic for a non-fiction book, but given it's been released in 1942, Valliant did an a great job. Very informative, considering the data available at the time. Enjoyed the read very much.
August 1, 2024
Prosa meravigliosa. E poi ho sempre amato gli Aztechi sin da quando andavo alle elementari. Oh come vorrei aver visitato la città prima dell'arrivo degli europei. E il Messico descritto nel libro, degli anni '40!
February 13, 2018
Datato, ma prima lettura archeologica . 1974
August 5, 2024
Es un libro con mucho contenido de valor. Si eres alguien que apenas está informándose sobre la cultura azteca/mexica este libro es un gran inicio. De mis favoritos.
October 21, 2024
Informațiile cele mai interesante se ascund în anexe: nume de zile, zei, hărți...
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews