PLACE OF SACRIFICE SANCTUARIES HUITZILOPOTCHTLI. 39 



When Cortez arrived in front of this truncated pyramid, two 

 priests and several caciques were in attendance, by order of 

 Montezuma, to bear him in their arms to its summit. But the 

 hardy conqueror declined this effeminate means of transportation, 

 and marched up slowly at the head of his soldiers. On the paved 

 and level area at the top, they found a large block of jasper, the 

 peculiar shape of which showed it was the stone on which the 

 bodies of the unhappy victims were stretched for sacrifice. Its 

 convex surface, rising breast high, enabled the priest to perform 

 more easily his diabolical task of removing the heart. Besides 

 this, there were two sanctuaries erected on the level surface of 

 the Tcocalli ; two altars, glowing with a fire that was never 

 extinguished ; and a large circular drum, which was struck only 

 on occasions of great public concern. 



Such was the Teocalli or House of God. There were other 

 edifices, having the name of Teopan, or Places of God. Some 

 writers allege that there were two towers erected on the great 

 Teocalli of Tenochtitlan ; but it may be safely asserted that there 

 was at least one of these, which rose to the height of about fifty-six 

 feet, and was divided into three stories, the lower being of stone, 

 while the others were constructed of wrought and painted wood. 

 In the basement of these towers were the sanctuaries, where two 

 splendid altars had been erected to Huitzilopotchtli and Tezcatli- 

 poca, over which the idol representatives of these divinities were 

 placed in state. 



Within the enclosure of the Teocalli there were forty other 

 temples dedicated to various Aztec gods. Besides these, there 

 were colleges or residences and seminaries of the priests, together 

 with a splendid house of entertainment, devoted to the accommo- 

 dation of eminent strangers who visited the temple and the court. 

 All these sumptuous ecclesiastical establishments were grouped 

 around the pyramid, protected by the quadrangular wall, and 

 built amid gardens and groves. 



Cortez asked leave of the Emperor, who accompanied him on 

 his visit, to enter the sanctuaries of the Aztec deities. In a 

 spacious stuccoed saloon, roofed with carved and gilt timber, 

 stood the gigantic idol of Huitzilopotchtli, the Mexican Mars. 

 His countenance was harsh and menacing. In his hands he 

 grasped a bow and golden arrows. He was girt with the folds 

 of a serpent, formed of precious materials, whilst his left foot was 

 feathered with the plumage of the humming-bird, from which he 

 took his name. Around his throat hung suspended a massive 



