Religion in Sixteenth-Century Mexico: A Guide to Aztec and Catholic Beliefs and Practices

Religion in Sixteenth-Century Mexico explores the development of religion as transferred from Spain to Tenochtitlan, highlighting the role of ideas such as afterlife, apocalypticism, iconoclasm, Marianism, resistance, and saints in the emergence of Mexican Catholicism.

Format: Hardback
Length: 414 pages
Publication date: 10 February 2022
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Religion in Sixteenth-Century Mexico delves into the intricate tapestry of the development of religion as it traversed from Spain to Tenochtitlan, the vibrant capital of the Aztec empire. At the time of their encounter, the religious landscapes of both the Aztecs and the Spanish Catholics were intricately woven through a web of large-scale community, familial, and personal devotions. The most striking aspect of the Catholicization of the New World was the profound expression of devotion through cults. This captivating book sheds light on the pivotal role that concepts such as afterlife, apocalypticism, iconoclasm, Marianism, resistance, and saints played in the emergence of Mexican Catholicism during the sixteenth century.

To provide a comprehensive backdrop, the book begins with an extensive historical essay that contextualizes the pre-contact period. This foundational chapter sets the stage for the subsequent exploration of the religious practices of the Aztecs and Catholics.

The heart of this volume consists of 118 separate keywords, each accompanied by three comparative essays that examine the religious practices of Aztecs and Catholics before and after their encounter. These essays provide a deep dive into the diverse customs, beliefs, and rituals that shaped the spiritual lives of these two civilizations.

Through meticulous research and analysis, Religion in Sixteenth-Century Mexico offers a rich and nuanced understanding of the complex interplay between religion, culture, and society in early modern Mexico. It sheds light on the ways in which the Spanish conquest impacted the religious beliefs and practices of the Aztecs, while also revealing the enduring legacies of indigenous spirituality that continue to shape Mexican society today.

This captivating book is a valuable resource for scholars, students, and anyone interested in the history, culture, and religion of Mexico and the broader Latin American region. It provides a wealth of insights and perspectives that will deepen our understanding of the rich and complex tapestry of early modern world history.

Weight: 1020g
Dimension: 260 x 190 x 23 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781316518380
Edition number: New ed