Bernal Diaz del Castillo’s account of New Spain includes a chapter dedicated to Motecusuma’s (Moctezuma II) “person, disposition, habits, and of his great power.”

A 🧵with curious examples of Moctezuma’s life (direct quotes from Diaz del Castillo).

Feliz dia de la raza! Appearance & Hygiene: He was about forty when Bernal saw him (early 1500s). He was tall of stature, of slender make, and rather thin, but the symmetry of his body was beautiful.

The dress he had on one day was not worn again until four days had elapsed.

- Bodega Bro
- René Girard’s scapegoat mechanism
- and Aztec human sacrifice.

A thread. To French philosopher René Girard, normal order in societies is “the fruit of an anterior crisis.”

His thought is contained in mimetic desire, which states that when people desire the same thing[s], the object of desire is often forgotten and mimetic conflict ensues.

Oxtail recipe

Ingredients
- 2 lbs of oxtail
- 1 small celery stalk
- 5 laurel leaves
- ½ stalk of thyme
- ½ head of garlic (half a bulb)
- ½ stalk of culantro
- A couple of oregano leaves
- 2 lbs of potatoes
- Salt to taste Preparation: Put all the above ingredients in a crock pot, with enough water to cover them. Select “High” temperature and wait 6-7 hours, until the meat is soft.Spices can be fresh or dried. 

Once the meat is done, take the meat and the potatoes aside in a bowl.