The Toltec Empire

Discover the world of one of ancient Mexico's most powerful and mysterious civilizations.

The Toltec Civilization takes you deep into the history, culture, mythology, religion, warfare, rulers, and lasting legacy of the Toltecs, the people later remembered as masters of wisdom, sacred power, and artistic greatness. Rising in the centuries after the fall of Teotihuacan, the Toltecs built a formidable center at Tula and shaped the political and spiritual life of Mesoamerica in ways that continued long after their decline.

This book explores the origins of the Toltecs, the rise of Tula, the structure of their society, the lives of nobles, priests, warriors, artisans, and farmers, and the beliefs that gave meaning to their world. It also examines the legendary memory of Quetzalcoatl, the symbolic power of Toltec art and architecture, the role of war and tribute in their expansion, and the reasons their civilization eventually fragmented.

Inside this book, you will discover:

• The rise of the Toltecs in central Mexico
• The city of Tula as a political and sacred center
• Toltec religion, mythology, and ritual life
• The role of warriors, rulers, and elite power
• Daily life, family structure, and social order
• Monumental architecture, sculpture, and artistic achievement
• The decline of Toltec rule and the survival of their legacy
• The influence of the Toltecs on later civilizations, especially the Aztecs