Almost exhaustive proof of the wholly indigenous nature of the American religions is offered by the existence of the ruins of the large centers of culture and civilization, which are found scattered through Yucatan and Peru. These civilizations preceded those of the Aztecs and Incas by a very considerable period, how long it is impossible in the present state of our knowledge of the subject to say. Those huge, buried cities, the Nineveh's and Thebes of the West, have left not even a name, and of the peoples who dwelt in them, we are almost wholly ignorant. That they were of a race cognate with the Aztecs and Toltecs appears probable when we consider the similarity of design which their architecture bears to the later ruins of the Aztec structure. Nevertheless, there is equally strong evidence to the contrary. At what epoch in the history of the world these cities were erected, it would at present be idle to speculate. The recent discovery of a buried city in the Panhandle region of Texas may throw some light upon this question and indeed upon the dark places of American archæology as a whole. In the case of the buried cities of Uxmal and Palenqüe, great antiquity is generally agreed upon. Indeed one writer on the subject goes so far as to place their foundation at the beginning of the second Glacial Epoch!

"The Myths of Mexico & Peru" is a book written by Lewis Spence, a Scottish author, journalist, and folklorist. Published in 1913, this work delves into the rich mythological traditions of two ancient civilizations: Mexico and Peru. Spence explores the myths, legends, and religious beliefs of these civilizations, shedding light on their cosmology, deities, creation stories, and cultural practices. Through meticulous research and analysis, he offers insights into the symbolic significance of various myths and their relevance to the societies that produced them. "The Myths of Mexico & Peru" provides readers with a comprehensive understanding of the mythological heritage of these indigenous cultures, highlighting the enduring impact of their beliefs on art, literature, and spirituality. Spence's work serves as a valuable resource for scholars, students, and anyone interested in Mesoamerican and Andean mythology.

The Myths of Mexico & Peru is a detailed study on the history and mythology of ancient Aztecs and Incas, providing valuable information to allow understanding into the background of Latin American heritage. The book includes tales of the myths of creations, legends of numerous Mesoamerican Gods, such as Quetzalcoatl, Tlaloc, Tezcatlipoca and Huitzilopochtli, and many other interesting folk tales of the ancient tribes of Mexico and Peru.

Excerpt from The Mythologies of Ancient Mexico and Peru It is difficult to understand the neglect into which the study of the Mexican and Peruvian mythologies has fallen. A zealous host of interpreters are engaged in the elucidation of the mythologies of Egypt and Assyria, but, if a few enthusiasts in the United States of America be excepted, the mythologies of the ancient West have no following whatsoever. That this little book may lead many to a fuller examination of those profoundly interesting faiths is the earnest hope of one in whose judgment they are second in importance to no other mythological system. By a comparative study of the American mythologies the student of other systems will reap his reward in the shape of many a parallel and many an elucidation which otherwise would escape his notice; whilst the general reader will introduce himself into a sphere of the most fascinating interest - the interest in the attitude towards the eternal verities of the peoples of a new and isolated world. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.

A classic amongst mythologists examining Central and South America's pre-colonial past. "A model of sound knowledge, crystallized in an attractive form, and enlivened by original criticism. Mr. Spence succeeds in giving his readers, in an hour, a comprehensive view of the nature of the Mexican and Peruvian religions, corrected up to the latest guesses of modern research, with sufficient detail of those terrible and picturesque rites and mythologies to attract the attention and impress the memory. The first and last of his six short chapters he devotes to epitomizing the latest surmises as to the origin of American peoples and religions, and the question of foreign influence on the latter….The religion of the Peruvians was much more naturalistic than that of the Mexicans….Mr. Spence also notices that behind and above the theocracy of Peru, and the polytheism of both countries, celebrated as it was in Mexico by atrocious ritual massacres, was the idea of One Supreme Being, to Whom appeal was made, especially in the rites of confession and absolution. The many gods were but, as it were, the personification of His attributes. Mr. Spence is of those who, hold that 'the knowledge of that power is inalienable from the mind of man.' He notices also that the sacrifices of the Mexicans were probably, and in some cases certainly, offered, not to appease the gods, but to nourish them. A possible parallel occurs to us in those curious texts of the Mosaic law and prophecies." -The Academy, Volume 74, 1908 "In this study of Mexican and Peruvian mythology, the reader is introduced into a sphere of the most fascinating interest - the attitude towards the eternal verities of the people of a new and isolated world." -The Open Court, 1911 CONTENTS I. The Origin of American Religions II. Mexican Mythology III. The Priesthood and Ritual of the Ancient Mexicans IV. The Religion of the Ancient Peruvians V. Peruvian Ritual and Worship VI. The Question of Foreign Influence upon the Religions of America A List of Select Books bearing on the Subject