Tony Dunnell's Blog
Posted by Tony Dunnell
This is fairly off-topic regarding Latin American history, but for anyone thinking of traveling in Peru here are some articles featuring Peru travel tips and other bits of information. Peru is, after all, the heartland of the Inca civilization.
Peru Holiday Advice and Peru Backpacking Tips – Related Articles
- Travel Peru Safety Tips & Guidelines – general advice for staying safe during a Peru holiday.
- Backpacking Peru Bus Travel Tips – travel Peru by bus – where to put luggage and what to take on the bus.
- Luxury vs Budget Peru Bus Travel Options & Tips – the pros and cons of differing Peru bus companies – is it worth the extra cash for greater comfort?
- How to Get from Lima to Cusco by Bus or Plane – Lima to Machu Picchu the easy way... or perhaps the hard way.
- Tipping – Peru Backpacking Travel Tips – how much should a Peru backpacker tip?
- Backpacking Peru Budget Travel – Eating – backpacking Peru on a budget – don't blow the travel fund on over-priced food!
- Peru Family Travel Tips & Advice – thinking about traveling in Peru with children? Peru family travel advice can be found here.
- Best Peru Honeymoon Adventure Destinations – romantic Peru destinations.
- Popular Peruvian Slang Words – get with the Peruvian lingo so you know what the kids are talking about...
Other Peru Related Articles to Read Before a Peru Holiday Adventure!
- Caminos del Inca Rally Peru – South America – one of the great South American rallies, sadly often overlooked.
- The Peruvian Hairless Dog – Inca Orchid – ugly? How cruel. Obama didn't want one.
- Peruvian Pima Cotton – Gossypium Barbadense – the Inca cotton tradition is still going strong.
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Posted by Tony Dunnell
The following articles provide a breakdown of the Aztec military including the training of Aztec youths, Aztec weapons, and the Aztec military societies.
Aztec Warrior Training
Aztec Warrior Training – Commoners & Nobles: Aztec warrior training from the telpochcalli schools (for commoners and lower nobility) and calmecac schools (for the sons of nobles and the social elite).
Aztec Military Societies
Aztec Military Orders and Social Advancement: Details the various Aztec military societies through which an Aztec warrior could progress. This includes the Aztec Eagle Warrior and Aztec Jaguar Warrior societies and the elite orders of the Otontin and Cuahchicqueh. Progress through these societies was both a question of birth and valor in battle, particularly the capture of enemies for Aztec ritual sacrifice.
Aztec Weapons
Aztec Weapons – Weaponry of the Aztec Warriors: Offensive Aztec weapons in both long-range and close combat categories. This includes the Aztec bow and arrow, Aztec slings, Aztec swords and Aztec clubs.
Aztec Weapons – Defensive Aztec Weaponry: Defensive Aztec weaponry including Aztec body armor, Aztec helmets and Aztec Shields.
Related Articles:
Inca Weapons and Warriors: Compare the ancient weaponry of two of the greatest Latin American civilizations.
Aztec Warrior Tattoos Design Ideas & Background: If you are looking for ideas for Aztec warrior tattoos then look no further....
Posted by Tony Dunnell
The mines of Cerro Rico in Potosi, Bolivia, provide a unique monument to Spanish colonial history in South America. The city of Potosi, located in the Bolivian highlands, is itself a fascinating blend of colonial architecture and modern-day Bolivian society. Looming above the city, an ever present reminder of both former glories and unimaginable suffering, is Cerro Rico (the "Rich Hill").
The Tragic History of Cerro Rico, Potosi
Potosi was once one of the wealthiest cities in the world. With the arrival of the Conquistadors in the 1540s, the silver-rich Cerro Rico was soon used to fund both the rapid expansion of Potosi and the Spanish Empire as a whole. For the Spanish, it was a discovery of great importance. For the indigenous workers, enslaved by their new rulers and forced to work in the mines, it meant a short life of brutal hardship and toil. When the native workers were spent, the Spanish turned to African slave labor – but these slaves were to fair no better. In total, it is estimated that a shocking 8 million lives were lost in the Cerro Rico mines.
Potosi & Cerro Rico Today
Although Cerro Rico has been largely stripped of its wealth, Bolivian miners continue to risk their lives in the mines today. Techniques have changed little and lives are still lost. Many of the miners contract the lung disease silicosis. Prolonged exposure to mineral dust can be fatal, but the miners (some as young as 11 years old) have little choice but to work long and hard to earn enough to survive.
Today, tours to the mines offer an escape for a lucky few. Many of the tour guides are ex-miners, and all of them are grateful for an opportunity to earn a living taking tourists into the depths of Cerro Rico, rather than chipping away at the mine face for up to 20 hours a day.
To find out more about Cerro Rico, read the following articles covering the mines from the arrival of the Spanish to the present day:
Posted by Tony Dunnell
If you are studying the history of Peru, or doing a project on famous people from Peru, here are some famous Peruvians to get you started. Also included are some contemporary Peruvians to bring us up-to-date.
Knowing who these famous Peruvians are is also handy when traveling in Peru – Peruvians love to talk about their heroes!
The Greatest Peruvian Hero – Miguel Grau Seminario
Miguel Grau was voted 'Peruvian of the Millenium' by the people of Peru. He was an admiral in the Peruvian Navy during the War of the Pacific (1879-1884), fought between Peru and Bolivia on one side and Chile on the other. His heroics will never be forgotten by his countrymen – in part due to the fierce rivalry which still exists today between Chile and Peru.
For more information about this famous Peruvian take a look at Peru Heroes – Miguel Grau Seminario.
Famous Peruvians on Peruvian Money
Traveling in Peru, you will normally have a piece of Peruvian history in your hands – or maybe in your back pocket. The five Peruvian Nuevo Sol banknotes each feature an important figure from Peruvian history. Who is the man in the upside-down plane on the 10 Soles note? And the man who looks like an ageing Harry Potter? And does the 200 Soles note actually exist? Find out more in Famous People from Peru and Peruvian Currency.
Contemporary Famous Peruvians
For some modern-day famous Peruvians have a look at the following articles:
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Posted by Tony Dunnell
A broad definition of Latin America often defines the region as all those countries in the western hemisphere to the south of the United States. Another general assumption sees Latin America as the combination of South America and Central America, excluding or forgetting the islands of the Caribbean.
Latin America Definition
Any definition of Latin America is actually more complex than this. Language is an integral part of the Latin American countries which form the region. This in turn is inextricably linked with Latin American history. Generally, Latin America is accepted as being comprised of the 20 nations of Central America, South America and the Caribbean islands where a Romance language is spoken. A Romance language is one derived from Latin, in this case Spanish, Portuguese or French.
For a more detailed examination of what is Latin America, have a look at the article Definition and Location of What is Latin America.
What Else Defined Latin America?
For some further overviews of the shaping of Latin America as a whole, why not have a look at The History of Smallpox in Latin America. Smallpox, introduced into the region by European explorers and colonists, arguably had a greater effect upon the New World than all the military resources of the European powers. The Conquistadors numbered in the hundreds – smallpox was an unseen enemy of the indigenous peoples, and an enemy whose numbers were countless.
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