This module provides a lesson plan that uses the excerpt “Historia de Xochitl” from the historical book, "Historia Moral de las Mujeres," to introduce students to the Toltec culture. It includes study questions, a link to the excerpt, and a link to a vocabulary list. It is mean to intermediate to advanced Spanish students (AP Spanish or college-level).
Introduction
The excerpt "Historia de Xochitl" comes from the historical book,
Historia Moral de las Mujeres (pp. 433-435). The complete book is freely available on the
Our Americas Archive Partnership website. This excerpt can be presented to students in its original Spanish version or translated English version to introduce the Toltec culture. The glossary,
Vocabulary list: "Historia de Xochitl" , can be used alongside this reading passage and lesson plan.
Summary
"Historia de Xochitl" (“The Tale of Xochitl”) recounts how the Toltec king falls in love with the noble Papantzin's daughter, Xochitl, and tricks her into staying at the castle. When Papantzin is finally able to see his daughter again, he complains to the king, who then promises to make his and Xochitl’s son his heir to the throne. The king keeps his promise and Meconetzin (known as King Topiltzin) rose to the throne. Soon after, however, the kingdom fell into disorder. Natural disasters punished the people for their crimes; and the lords of Jalisco, believing they had rights to the throne, invaded the kingdom. This led to a war and Topiltzin’s army ultimately loses. This, according to the legend, then led to the dispersing of the Toltec people.
Quetzalcoatl
Quetzalcoatl the "quetzal bird-snake god" was worshiped by the Toltecs, Olmecs, Mixtecs, Aztecs, and Maya
