The first part of Conrad and Demarest is certainly an eye opener. We focus so much about how these people were conquered that we forget that they were an empire too. They also ruled and conquered before the Spanish came along. I also never knew that so much of their government was tied up in their religion. Their religion seems to be the driving force behind almost everything the Aztec did. I just wish the book wouldn't dwell on human sacrifice as much as it does, but since the Spaniards obsessed over it and that obsession has been passed down through the generations I guess it does require a detailed explanation.
I don't think this first part of Conrad and Demarest has anything to do with the Black Legend. Its focus is on what Mexico was like before the Spanish arrived. Since the Spanish have not yet arrived it would seem out of place to bring up the Black Legend.
I agree that the authors bring up the human sacrifice a lot but there is a reason for that. The Aztec religion was the reason for these sacrifices and this is what sparked the Aztec expansion. The need for victims for to sacrifice for the god is what caused the Aztecs to go out and start wars with their neighbors. The more land and tributes the people got the more they went out and started wars. This was all started because of the need for human sacrifice.
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