Religion and Empire: The Dynamics of Aztec and Inca Expansionism (New Studies in Archaeology)

Demarest, Arthur A., Conrad, Geoffrey W.

ISBN 10: 0521318963 / ISBN 13: 9780521318969

Published by Cambridge University Press, 1984

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Bibliographic Details

• Title: Religion and Empire: The Dynamics of Aztec and Inca Expansionism (New Studies in Archaeology)
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Publication Date: 1984
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0521318963
• ISBN 13: 9780521318969
• Binding: Paperback
• Condition: Very Good

About this title

Synopsis

Religion and Empire is an innovative and provocative study of the two largest states of the Precolumbian Americas, the Aztec and Inca Empires. By examining the causes of the formation and expansion of these two empires, the authors identify similar patterns and processes underlying their rise and decline. They demonstrate that in both examples among the critical elements in the transition from marginal people to imperial power to disintegrating society were changes in traditional religion, including the elaboration of Aztec human sacrifice and Inca worship of the corpses of their kings. The authors show that the complex interaction between such ideological shifts and political and economic factors generated the spectacular historical trajectories of these Pre-Colombian empires.

Book Description

A provocative, comparative study of the formation and expansion of the Aztec and Inca empires. Argues that prehistoric cultural development is largely determined by continual changes in traditional religion.