The Calendaric system of the pre hispanic mexicas in the Sahaguntians writings

Abstract

This article focuses on the knowledge about the stars as described by the Franciscan friar Bernardino de Sahagún in his book Historia general de las cosas de la Nueva España. This knowledge called by Sahagún ‘astrology’ and ‘astronomy’ was completely connected with the religious and magic Mesoamerican universe. The Church in the sixteenth century persecuted the magic and hermetic tradition in Europe what can explain Sahagún being interested in this knowledge. When he arrived in New Spain, Sahagún brought with him the occidental knowledge tradition, and described the Mesoamerican universe through his own vision. But, despite of these characteristics, the Franciscan friar produced one of the most important narratives about the culture, religion, history and knowledge of the ancient Mexicans.