The Legend of Votan
In the first volume, Clavigero recounts the legend of Votan, a cultural hero for the Chiapenese, who is said to have been closely connected to a great flood.
Specifically, Votan is described as the grandson of the man who constructed an ark to save himself and his family from a deluge, which is a clear parallel to other flood myths like that of Noah in the Bible.
According to the Chiapenese version, Votan is also credited with the founding of their civilization, as he played a role in settling the region and establishing key social and religious structures.
In the context of the broader discussion where Votan is mentioned, Clavigero is exploring the origins of indigenous peoples, their migrations, and their mythological accounts of world events, particularly the deluge myth.
The flood or deluge myth is one of the key examples, and he relates the Chiapenese story of Votan to this theme.
Votan and the Deluge: Clavigero describes how the Chiapenese people claimed that Votan came to their lands after a great flood, which wiped out previous civilizations.
According to their tradition, Votan was a significant cultural figure who helped to reorganize society after the deluge, which mirrors the role of figures like Noah in the Judeo-Christian tradition or Utnapishtim in the Epic of Gilgamesh.
Votan’s Role in Civilization: Votan is not only associated with survival from the flood but is also said to have established key social and religious structures in the region.
He suggests that the Chiapenese tradition of Votan might be linked to broader global traditions, particularly the biblical flood.
Votan and the Founding of Cities: In the same context, Clavigero also describes how Votan is credited with founding Palenque, a significant ancient Maya city, though this part of the tradition is more speculative and mythological.
Votan’s connection to Palenque ties him to the broader Maya civilization, which is known for its architectural, mathematical, and astronomical achievements.
By aligning figures like Votan with flood myths and cultural heroes, he draws attention to how Mesoamerican peoples viewed the world, nature, and the divine.
In their view, Votan was not only a survivor of the flood but also a bringer of civilization and order after chaos.
Clavigero’s larger aim in discussing figures like Votan was to provide a robust defense of the intellectual and cultural achievements of pre-Columbian civilizations.
The God Odi, Woden, or Wotan
i.) that according to the traditions of the Chiapenese there was a Votan who was the grandson of the man who built the ark to save himself and family from the Deluge; he was one of those who undertook to build the tower that should reach to heaven., The Lord ordered him to people America.
He states that "he is the third of the Votans; that he conducted seven families from Valum-Votan to this continent, and assigned lands to them; that be determined to travel until he came to the root of heaven and found his relations, the Culebres, and made himself known to them; that he accordingly made four voyages to Chivim; that he arrived in Spain; that he went to Rome; that he saw the house of God building; that be went by the road which his brethren, the Culebres, had bored; that he marked it, and that he passed by the houses of the thirteen Culebres.
He thinks the Chivim of Votan were the Hivim, or Givim, who were descended of Heth, son of Canaan, Phœnicians; they were the builders of Accaron, Azotus, Ascalon, and Gaza.
Votan may not, possibly, have passed into Europe; be may have travelled altogether in Africa.
But it is interesting to find in this book of Votan, however little reliance we may place in its dates or details, evidence that there was actual intercourse between the Old World and the New in remote ages.
"We have fixed the special attention of our readers upon this Votan, or Wodan, an American who appears of the same family with the Wods or Odins of the Goths and of the people of Celtic origin.
Since, according to the learned researches of Sir William Jones, Odin and Buddha are probably the same person, it is curious to see the names of Bondvar, Wodansday, and Votan designating in India, Scandinavia, and in Mexico the day of a brief period." ("Vues des Cordilleras," p.
Genesis contains a history of Atlantis
We see Votan, a hero in America, become the god Odin or Woden in Scandinavia; and when his worship as a god dies out Odin survives (as Dr.
The God Odin, Woden, or Wotan
i.) that according to Chiapenese traditions, there was a figure named Votan, who was the grandson of the man who built the ark to save his family from the Deluge.
Votan was one of those who attempted to build the tower that should reach heaven.
Votan built a great city in America called "Nachan" (City of the Serpents), named after his own race, Chan, which means serpent.
Votan also founded three tributary monarchies with capitals in Tulan, Mayapan, and Chiquimala.
Votan made four voyages to Chivim, reached Spain, went to Rome, saw the house of God being built, and traveled by a road his brethren, the Culebres, had made.
He identifies the Chivim of Votan as the Hivim or Givim, descended from Heth, son of Canaan, Phoenicians who built Accaron, Azotus, Ascalon, and Gaza.
Votan's reference to "a way which the Culebres had bored" might initially seem puzzling.
These tunnels could explain Votan's reference.
Despite the doubts surrounding Votan's book, it indicates some interaction between the Old and New Worlds in ancient times.
Humboldt remarks on the connection between Votan (or Wodan) of America and the Wods or Odins of the Goths and Celtic people.
Sir William Jones’s research suggests Odin and Buddha might be the same, showing Votan's name appearing in India, Scandinavia, and Mexico.