What Day of the Dead tells us about the Aztec philosophy of happiness

Re:What Day of the Dead tells us about the Aztec philosophy ... by nyolfen on Friday November 06, 2020 @09:11PM (#25012782)

the aztec empire lasted for less than two centuries.

the six figure estimate provided by the conquistador was written off as fabricated or exaggerated, unti the skull towers were discovered by archaeologists, and a few years later were discovered to roughly match the dimensions provided by the conquistador. i gave half his number as a conservative hedge.

the aztecs are believed to sacrificed tens of thousands of people a year; i do not think it is as outlandish as it may sound.

the aztecs were a truly, historically, uniquely bloodthirsty people.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:What Day of the Dead tells us about the Aztec philosophy ... by andi999 on Saturday November 07, 2020 @01:28AM (#25013521)

Here a source for the skull towers https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2018/06/feeding-gods-hundred...

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:What Day of the Dead tells us about the Aztec philosophy ... by ch4s3 on Saturday November 07, 2020 @12:11AM (#25013337)

I wouldn’t say uniquely. The ancient Assyrian’s we’re pretty into their horrific brand of terrifying their neighbors. The Cultural Revolution also seems pretty bad to cite a more recent example.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:What Day of the Dead tells us about the Aztec philosophy ... by nyolfen on Sunday November 08, 2020 @12:27PM (#25027232)

> Not understanding the implications of this request, Achitometl acceded to the honour; his daughter went to Tizaapan, where she was splendidly arrayed and sacrificed. Following an old custom, the body was flayed and a priest donned her skin in an ancient agricultural rite symbolising the renewal of life. The unsuspecting chieftain Achitometl, invited to participate in the concluding festivities, suddenly recognised the skin of his daughter on the body of the priest.

this was a traditional rite; the skin would then be placed in a clay vessel underneath a temple or shrine alongside many others

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:What Day of the Dead tells us about the Aztec philosophy ... by ch4s3 on Tuesday November 10, 2020 @08:53AM (#25045894)

I’m familiar with the story. That’s sort of my point the ancient Assyrians were well known for flaying thousands of people alive all at once after recapturing a city. They decorated their palaces with scenes of it.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:What Day of the Dead tells us about the Aztec philosophy ... by 1-more on Sunday November 08, 2020 @08:42PM (#25030652)

Gnarly!! And ty for the source elsethread. Fascinating stuff. Sounds like a no-good empire! Not a fan.

[ Parent | on HN ]