A scattering of jades

Offers an extraordinary glimpse into the Aztec civilization -- a mysterious culture that revered its poets, worshiped its kings and ritualized human sacrifice. The Aztec empire reached its height between the twelfth and sixteenth centuries, culminating in the reign of Motecuzoma. Aztec cities surpassed those of Europe in size and grandeur, and their art and aesthetics were the most sophisticated of all nature American cultures. Among the ancient Aztecs, a clever turn of phrase was considered a precious stone -- a 'scattering of jades" was an Aztec metaphor for elegant speech. This literary gem collects Aztec myths, prayers, proverbs and poems, many translated from the original Nahuati for the first time, presenting an evocative picture of one of the most exotic and advanced civilizations in the Americas.g.