Codex Mendoza

About 20 years after the Spanish conquered the Aztec empire, they commissioned Aztec scribes to create the Codex Mendoza. Named for Antonio de Mendoza, the first viceroy of New Spain, the codex contains a history of Aztec conquests, a description of Aztec daily life in traditional pictograms, and commentary added by Spanish missionaries. The codex was intended to be sent to Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor and King of Spain, but the ship carrying it was attacked. Where did it end up? Discuss

interpretation

eisegesis – The interpretation of a word or passage by reading into it one’s own ideas. More…

hermeneutic – An adjective meaning “concerned with interpretation,” especially of scripture. More…

case-sensitive – If something is case-sensitive, there is a different meaning or interpretation based on upper- and lower-cased letters. More…

semiotics – The study of signs and symbols and their use or interpretation. More…

Raëlism

Raëlism is a cult religion founded in the 1970s by French journalist and race car driver Claude Vorilhon, now known as Raël. Raëlism teaches that life on Earth was created by a species of extraterrestrials called the Elohim. Raëlians discourage the use of recreational drugs, coffee, and alcohol, but have liberal views of sexuality, accepting homosexuality and encouraging members to explore their desires. They also support cloning and claimed in 2002 to have cloned a human named what? Discuss

supported

whatnot – A series of open shelves supported by two or four upright posts, for displaying knickknacks. More…

oriel – A large, upper-story bay window, usually supported by brackets or on corbels. More…

portico – Describes a covered walkway with a roof supported by columns and usually attached as a porch to a building. More…

felly, felloe – The felly or felloe is the exterior rim on a wheel or the section of rim supported by a spoke. More…

The Wakhan Corridor

In the late 19th century, Western adventurers who had explored beyond India’s frontiers brought back thrilling tales, exaggerating Russian activity in Central Asia and sparking British interest in the area. The rivalry that developed between Russia and Britain—known as the Great Game—resulted in the creation of the Wakhan Corridor, a buffer zone between the two empires. The rugged, highly remote stretch now links northeastern Afghanistan with China. How many people live in the Wakhan Corridor? Discuss