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nydus/The gods of MexicoPublic
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Table of Contents

CHAPTER VI

fasted frequently, and were given to penitence and contemplation. Their high-priest was called Achcauhtli,35 and the entire cult was modelled on that of Quetzalcoatl. This did not prohibit them, however, from the sacrifice of human beings.

NATURE AND STATUS

Chalchihuitlicue was the female counterpart of Tlaloc, and the goddess of water and moisture. Sahagun (bk. i, c. ii) says of her: “She was supposed to have her existence in the sea, the rivers and lakes, and had power to take the lives of those who ventured

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