File:The myths of Mexico and Peru (1913) (14783749692).jpg

Identifier: mythsofmexicoper01spen (find matches)
Title: The myths of Mexico and Peru
Year: 1913 (1910s)
Authors: Spence, Lewis, 1874-1955
Subjects: Indians of Mexico Indian mythology Indians of Mexico Indians of South America Indian mythology Indians of South America
Publisher: New York, T. Y. Crowell company
Contributing Library: The Library of Congress
Digitizing Sponsor: The Library of Congress

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Acolhuans In supreme power, and ruling fromtheir cities of Tollantzinco and Cholula a considerabletract of country. Later Cholula maintained an alliancewith Tlascala and Huexotzlnco. Bloodless Battles The maxim Other climes, other manners Is no-where better exemplified than by the curious annualstrife betwixt the warriors of Mexico and Tlascala.Once a year they met on a prearranged battle-groundand engaged In combat, not with the intention of killingone another, but with the object of taking prisoners forsacrifice on the altars of their respective war-gods. Thewarrior seized his opponent and attempted to bear himoff, the various groups pulling and tugging desperatelyat each other In the endeavour to seize the limbs of theunfortunate who had been first struck down, with theobject of dragging him into durance or effecting hisrescue. Once secured, theTlascaltec warrior was broughtto Mexico in a cage, and first placed upon a stone slab,to which one of his feet was secured by a chain or48
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A Prisoner fighting for his Life 48 He was painted white and tufts of cotton-wool were put on his headGilbert James TEZCUCO thong. He was then given light weapons, more likeplaythings than warriors gear, and confronted by oneof the most celebrated Mexican warriors. Should hesucceed in defeating six of these formidable antagonists,he was set free. But no sooner was he wounded thanhe was hurried to the altar of sacrifice, and his heart wastorn out and offered to Huitzilopochtli, the implacablegod of war. The Tlascaltecs, having finally secured their positionby a defeat of the Tecpanecs of Huexotzinco aboutA.D. 1384, sank into comparative obscurity save fortheir annual bout with the Mexicans. The Lake Cities The communities grouped round the various lakesin the valley of Mexico now command our attention.More than two score of these thriving communitiesflourished at the time of the conquest of Mexico,the most notable being those which occupied theborders of the Lake of Tezcuco. These citi

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