One of the most commonly known facts about women in Ancient Greece is that they weren’t allowed to vote. While this is true for the Athena polias, the exclusion of women in politics didn’t occur in all the ancient Greek societies. Classical scholars uncover more and more complexities about the lives of ancient Greek women. …
Toilet paper has a long history, and its invention dates back centuries. The use of paper for hygiene purposes, including cleaning oneself after using the restroom, can be traced back to ancient civilizations. About half of the world’s population makes use of this hygienic tool, but toilet paper as we know it today didn’t pop …
Xolotl is an ancient Aztec god associated with several aspects related to death, transformation, and the evening star. Xolotl was often depicted as a canine figure, such as a dog or a wolf, with distinctive physical features like a skeletal appearance, reversed feet, and an elongated nose. In Aztec religion, Xolotl guided the sun through …
The Aztec god Tezcatlipoca is often talked about in relation to his three brothers. Together, they form the very basis of Aztec mythology and, therefore, the worldview of the Aztecs. This god, often considered to be the supreme deity, is seen as evil by some, while others think he was one of the kindest gods …
Mictlantecuhtli is the god of death in ancient Aztec religion and was also one of the rulers of the Aztec underworld, Mictlan. But this deity also wasn’t so fond of such straightforward reasoning. The interaction between life and death in Aztec religion is circular. Death is a necessity since it prepares you for a new …
An often-used phrase in Mesoamerican (environmental) politics is la agua es vida: water is life. Even the Aztecs had a strong emphasis on water, and any deity that is related to this realm was per definition of great importance. The Aztec god Tlaloc was no different. Some of the most important Aztec temples have been …