Abstract
This paper analyzes and reviews Lucien Biart's seminal work on Aztec culture entitled "The Aztecs: Their History, Manners, and Customs." The paper describes Biart's book, which was published in 1887, as written during a time of ignorance about pre-Colombian Mexico. Then it discusses the structure of the book chapter by chapter. According to the paper, the first half of the work is a chronological look at the evolution of human societies in Mexico, and the second half explores their culture. The review also examines flaws in "The Aztecs," such as the lack of citations and the over glorification of Aztec culture. The paper concludes by stating that "The Aztecs" comes across as being a noteworthy starting point for in-depth research into Aztec historiography.

From the Paper
"The first half of the book offers a basically chronological look at the evolution of human societies in Mexico. However, Biart's organization is not strictly chronological. Chapter 1 introduces the material with a thorough evaluation of Mexico's geography: including its diverse climate and terrain. Biart suggests that geography informs the development of culture. Geography determines which plants and crops grow and which animals flourish. Moreover, a geographic analysis helps historians understand how warring factions might have used terrain as a military advantage. Biart also suggests that geography may have impacted the interactions between indigenous Aztecs and the conquistadors."

Tags:pre-Colombian Mexico, Lucien Biart, colonialism, Anahuac

Abstract
A fictionalized description of Aztec cultural traditions and mythology as it might have been acted out in the lives of real people at the time of transition as Cortez conquered the empire of Moctezuma. The story is told by a young man, aged 17, who intended to become a shaman, as his world is overturned by the arrival of the Spaniards.

From the Paper
"Last night I sat again at the feet of my father in the Place of the Skulls listening to the Shaman, Izcalli, telling the same story I have heard so many times. My little brother, Cat, short for Ehecatl, sat at my side. Cat was named for the day when he was born, the second day of the month, called Ehecatl. And that day, in it's turn was named for Ehecatl, the God of the wind, road sweeper of the rain gods. This god, like many others is one of the many forms in which the great Quetzalcoatl reveals himself."

Tags:anahuac, Aztec, cortez, history, Mexico, moctezuma, montezuma, mythology, quetzalcoatl, tlaloc