Wooden Swords Used in Battle
It is recorded of the ancient Mexicans, that they went into battle with wooden swords, that they might not kill their enemies. (See Grimm's "Life of Michael Angelo.")
The name Mexico is derived from Mexitili, the tutelary deity of the Aztecs.
There is no authentic history of Mexico until the end of the sixth century, all before that time being more or less mythological. It is known, that, in the beginning of the seventh century, the Toltecs, a race of people from the north, descended into the valley, and settled there.
Little is known of the history of the Toltecs except that they were an agricultural people, humane and civilized, and proficient in the mechanical arts.
They seem to have lived quietly for about five hundred years, when civil strife, pestilence, and famine caused large numbers to emigrate.
Those remaining intermarried with neighboring tribes: they were all finally overcome by the Aztecs, who gave their name to the whole country and to the civilization of their day, much of which, however, they really received from the Toltecs.
The Aztecs were a fierce, warlike race; and their religion was the most bloodthirsty the world has ever known.
The temples of their gods were scattered throughout the land, and thousands of human beings were sacrificed every year upon their altars.
The victims were mostly prisoners-of-war; and, in their battles, the Aztecs tried to kill as few of their enemies as possible, that they might have the more to offer in sacrifice.
In the years preceding the Spanish conquest, from twenty thousand to fifty thousand victims were annually sacrificed.
On April 22, 1519, Hernan Cortes landed at Vera Cruz, overthrew the Aztec kingdom, and took permanent possession of the country for Spain. The story of the conquest has been most vividly told by Prescott, and is the foundation of a novel by Lewis Wallace, entitled "The Fair God."
10. THE DEATH-WARRANT OF JESUS. (See Gleanings, C. C. Bombaugh, A.M., M.D.)
Of the many interesting relics and fragments brought to light by the persevering researches of antiquarians, none could be more interesting to the philanthropist and believer than the following, to Christians the most imposing judicial document ever recorded in human annals. It has been thus faithfully transcribed:-
"Sentence rendered by Pontius Pilate, acting Governor of Lower Galilee, stating that Jesus of Nazareth shall suffer death on the cross.
"In the year seventeen of the Emperor Tiberius Caesar, and the 27th day of March, the city of the holy Jerusalem--Annas and Caiaphas being priests, sacrificators of the people of God; Pontius Pilate, Governor of Lower Galilee, sitting in the presidential chair of the praetory--condemns Jesus of Nazareth to die on the cross between two thieves, the great and notorious evidence of the people saying,--
"2. He is seditious.
"3. He is the enemy of the law.
"4. He calls himself falsely the Son of God.
"5. He calls himself falsely the King of Israel.
"6. He entered into the temple, followed by a multitude bearing palm-branches in their hands.
"Orders the first centurion, Quilius Cornelius, to lead him to the place of execution. Forbids any person whomsoever, either poor or rich, to oppose the death of Jesus Christ.
"1. Daniel Robani, a Pharisee.
"2. Joannus Robani.
"3. Raphael Robani.
"4. Capet, a citizen.
"Jesus shall go out of the city of Jerusalem by the gate of Struenus."
The foregoing is engraved on a copper plate, on the reverse of which is written, "A similar plate is sent to each tribe." It was found in an antique marble vase, while excavating in the ancient city of Aquila, in the kingdom of Naples, in the year 1810, and was discovered by the Commissioners of Arts of the French army. At the expedition of Naples, it was enclosed in a box of ebony, and preserved in the sacristy of the Chartem. The French translation was made by the Commissioners of Arts. The original is in the Hebrew language.