Considered by many scholars the finest extant Mexican codex and one of the most important original sources for the study of pre-Columbian religion; the Codex Borgia is a work of profound beauty; filled with strange and evocative images related to calendrical; cosmological; ritual; and divinatory matters. Generally similar to such Mixtec manuscripts as the Codex Nuttall; the Codex Borgia is thought to have its origin (ca. A.D. 1400) in the southern central highlands of Mexico; perhaps in Puebla or Oaxaca. It is most probably a religious document that once belonged to a temple or sacred shrine.One use of the Codex many have been to divine the future; for it includes ritual 260 day calendars; material on aspects of the planet Venus; and a sort of numerological prognostic of the lives of wedded couples. Another section concerns various regions of the world and the supernatural characters and attributes of those regions. Also described are the characteristics of a number of deities; while still other passages relate to installation ceremonies of rulers in pre-Columbian kingdoms.Until the publication of this Dover edition; the Codex Borgia has been largely inaccessible to the general public. The priceless original is in the Vatican Library and previous photographic facsimiles are very rare or very expensive or both. Moreover; the original Codex has been damaged over the centuries; resulting in the obscuration and loss of many images. In order to recapture the beauty and grandeur of the original; Gisele Diaz and Alan Rodgers have painstakingly restored the Codex by handmdash; a seven-year project mdash; employing the most scrupulous research and restoration techniques. The result is 76 large full-color plates of vibrant; striking depictions of gods; kings; warriors; mythical creatures; and mysterious abstract designs mdash; a vivid panorama that offers profound insights into pre-Columbian Mexican myth and ritual. Now students; anthropologists; lovers of fine art and rare books mdash; anyone interested in the art and culture of ancient Mexico mdash; can study the Codex Borgia in this inexpensive; accurate; well-made edition. An informative introduction by noted anthropologist Bruce E. Byland places the Codex in its historical context and helps elucidate its meaning and significance.
#593307 in eBooks 2013-01-23 2012-12-26File Name: B00A73FCXU
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. These are OK....but not something I would recommend.By StarrshineOK arrangements - but not particularly overwhelming. There are two volumes; I only found one song I wanted to use out of the two books combined - so not anything I can recommend. There are some also some Disney arrangements by jim brickman that I prefer.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. What fun--listen carefully as you play these.By Sandra F. StrangeThese arrangements vary from the very challenging to the fairly easy (for the moderately skilled). I love the harmonies. These pieces are really fun to play. These arrangements are unique; because he weaves hints of classical pieces into these Disney favorites.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. A Good Selection of Disney FavoritesBy Lisa AnneBought for my daughter for Christmas. Shes an excellent piano player and Disney soundtrack fan. She loves it.