Everyday Life in the Aztec World

In Everyday Life in the Aztec World, Frances Berdan and Michael E. Smith provide a glimpse into the lives of real people engaging in human activities within the distinctive cultural context of Aztec central Mexico. The book explores the interactions of individuals from different social classes, including the emperor, priest, feather worker, merchant, farmer, and slave, in the economic, social, and religious realms of the Aztec world. The second section examines four significant life events: birth and naming of a child, market day, a day at court, and a battle, highlighting how these events intersected the lives of these individuals and others. By offering a microscopic view of various types of lives and their interconnection with the broader Aztec world, Berdan and Smith recreate everyday life in the final years of the Aztec Empire.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 288 pages
Publication date: 03 December 2020
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Frances Berdan and Michael E. Smith present an insightful glimpse into the daily lives of ordinary individuals engaging in relatable human activities within the distinctive cultural realm of Aztec central Mexico. The book's first section delves into the interactions of individuals from diverse social backgrounds, encompassing the emperor, priest, feather worker, merchant, farmer, and slave. These individuals navigated the economic, social, and religious spheres of the Aztec world, forming intricate networks of relationships and interactions.

In the second section, the authors explore four significant life events that intersected the lives of these individuals and others: the birth and naming of a child, market day, a day at court, and a battle. Through meticulous examinations of individual lives and their seamless integration into the broader Aztec world, Berdan and Smith recreate the vibrant tapestry of everyday life during the final years of the Aztec Empire.

This captivating work offers a profound understanding of the human experience within the context of a complex and fascinating historical society. By presenting a nuanced portrayal of individuals from various social classes and highlighting their interactions with each other and the larger Aztec world, Berdan and Smith provide a valuable contribution to our understanding of the Aztecs and their civilization.

Weight: 482g
Dimension: 152 x 226 x 17 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780521736220