History and Mythology of the Aztecs: the Codex Chimalpopoca

Jacket Description/Flap: One of the great documents of colonial Mexico, the Codex Chimalpopoca chronicles the rise of Aztec civilization and preserves the mythology on which it was based. Its two complementary texts, Annals of Cuauhtitlan and Legend of the Suns, record the pre-CortA(c)sian history of the Valley of Mexico together with firsthand versions of that region's myths. Of particular interest are the stories of the hero-god Quetzalcoatl, for which the Chimalpopoca is the premier source. John Bierhorst's work is the first major scholarship on the Codex Chimalpopoca in more than forty years. His is the first edition in English and the first in any language to include the complete text of the Legend of the Suns. The precise, readable translation not only contributes to the study of Aztec history and literature but also makes the codex an indispensable reference for Aztec cultural topics, including land tenure, statecraft, the role of women, the tribute system, warfare, and human sacrifice. Biographical Note: John Bierhorst is also the editor-translator of "Cantares Mexicanos: Songs of the Aztecs"Review Quotes: "Increases our chances of understanding the perspectives and procedures of native Mesoamerican prehistory." --"Bulletin of Latin American Research""It is a careful scholarly translation which alerts the reader to differences of opinion as to translation interpretations and paleographic readings of the documents by previous scholars."--"Nahua Newsletter"

Contributor Bio:  Bierhorst, John John Bierhorst is a distinguished editor and translator of American Indian literature whose previous books include "Doctor Coyote: A Native American Aesop's Fables". He lives in West Shokan, New York.