The decline of the West, Volume 2 : $b Perspectives of world-historySpengler, Oswald
History
The decline of the West, Volume 2 : $b Perspectives of world-history
Spengler, Oswald
Civilization -- History
The springtime of the “Hellenic” Maya states is evidenced by the
dated relief-pillars of the old cities of Copan (in the south),
Tikal, and somewhat later Chichen Itza (in the north), Naranjo, and
Seibal[54]--about 160-450. At the end of this period Chichen Itza was
a model of architecture that was followed for centuries. The full glory
of Palenque and Piedras Negras (in the west) may correspond to our Late
Gothic and Renaissance (450-600 = European 1250-1400?). In the Baroque
or Late period Champutun appears as the centre of style-formation, and
now the “Italic” Nahua peoples of the high plateau of Anahuac began to
come under the cultural influence. Artistically and spiritually these
peoples were mere recipients, but in their political instincts they
were far superior to the Maya (about 600-960, = Classical 750-400 =
Western 1400-1750?). And now Maya entered on the “Hellenistic” phase.
About 960 Uxmal was founded, soon to be a cosmopolis of the first rank,
an Alexandria or Baghdad, founded like these on the threshold of the
Civilization. With it we find a series of brilliant cities like Labna,
Mayapan, Chacmultun, and a revived Chichen Itza. These places mark
the culminating point of a grandiose architecture, which thereafter
produced no new style, but applies the old motives with taste and
discrimination to mighty masses. Politically this is the age of the
celebrated League of Mayapan, an alliance of three leading states,
which appears to have maintained the position successfully--if somewhat
artificially and arbitrarily--in spite of great wars and repeated
revolutions (960-1165 = Classical 350-150 = Western 1800-2000).
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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