Saturday, August 16, 2008

Holy Lords - Religion and Politics in Ancient Mesoamerica

Book of Mormon, Kingship, Kings Lady Xoc Bloodletting

Politics in ancient Mesoamerica was completely enmeshed within the pan-Mesoamerican religious world-view. Kings were religious leaders who participated in sacred rituals, including human sacrifice and bloodletting. The most powerful polities heavily influenced other, less powerful polities. Where would Book of Mormon polities fit into this world?

Read more:

How important were ancestors and lineage to the ancient Mesoamericans?



What was the animal spirit companion of royals in ancient Mesoamerica?



What was the significance of the ballgame in ancient Mesoamerica?




What was royal bloodletting in ancient Mesoamerica?



What kind of polity would the City of Nephi be?



What social differences existed in ancient Mesoamerica and how did the culture deal with this issue?



Who were the early Olmec?



What kind of political power did ancient Mesoamerica polities possess?



How would the Jaredites have fit into ancient Mesoamerica?



How would a Judeo-Christian culture have fit into ancient Mesoamerica?



What did ancient Mesoamerican kings do?



What kind of luxury items did ancient Mesoamerica have?



Did ancient Mesoamerican polities imitate more powerful polities?



What was ancient Mesoamerican mythology?



What about John Sorenson's claims about ancient Jaredites?



How would Zarahemla fit into ancient Mesoamerica?