The book of the Angels

Interpreted by D. BRIDGMAN-METCHIM 1903

Read the full text, chapter by chapter. The book card is here.

Noah condemns the idolatrous practices and warns that Atlantis will be destroyed. That sets the worship of Jehovah against the worship of the Fish-god.

Azta’s Journey in Altantis

Azta’s journey in “Atlantis: The Book of the Angels” runs from her rise to power, through her relationships, to her final downfall. Here is an outline of her journey as the book tells it:

Ambition and power. Azta is deeply ambitious and wants power in Atlantis. She gets drawn into political intrigue. She uses her beauty and influence to steer key figures such as Huitza, Rhadaman and Shar-Jatal. Her ambition drives many of her actions. She supports the worship of idols and installs new priests.

Relationships and manipulation. Azta’s relationships shape her journey. She manipulates and controls the people around her, including her lover Huitza and her ally Mah. Her influence reaches her son Toltiah, who she hopes will fulfill her ambitions. Her dealings with these characters show how manipulative and calculating she is.

Conflict and downfall. Azta faces many conflicts, outside and inside herself. She struggles with the moral weight of what she does. She also faces the rebellion and unrest that finally break out in Atlantis. The siege of the city and the destruction of Atlantis mark her downfall. She sees what her ambition has cost and what part she played in corrupting her society.

Supernatural encounters. Along the way Azta meets supernatural forces and beings. She has visions and deals with celestial beings. These add a mystical layer to her story and show the spiritual, otherworldly side of her character.

Final moments. At the end Azta watches her ambitions collapse and Atlantis fall into ruin. Her despair and her insight into her mistakes come too late. She is left to face the destruction she helped cause. Her story ends in tragedy. She sees the price of her ambition and loses everything she wanted.

Characters

Azta Status: Central character, ambitious and powerful. Role: A manipulative, influential figure in Atlantis. She seeks power and control. She has tangled relationships with key figures like Huitza and Mah.

Noah Status: Righteous and upright leader, governor of Tek-Ra. Role: A prophet who foresees the destruction of Atlantis. He builds the ark (Mexiah) to save his family and chosen animals. He keeps a holy way of life amid corruption.

Huitza Status: Ruler and lover of Azta. Role: A powerful figure in Atlantis, active in politics and war. In the end he is betrayed and killed in the power struggles.

Rhadaman Status: Ambitious and manipulative prince. Role: He wants the throne. He takes part in many plots and intrigues and often clashes with other leaders, his own family included.

Shar-Jatal Status: High-ranking official. Role: He takes part in conspiracies and political scheming. He has a key part in the fall of other leaders and in the final destruction of Atlantis.

Mah Status: Influential priest and manipulator. Role: He uses his religious influence to steer political events. He plays a key part in the conflicts and conspiracies of the story.

Talasse Status: Wife of Noah. Role: A supportive, pious partner. She belongs to Noah’s righteous household, which keeps its moral integrity.

Shem, Ham, Japheth Status: Sons of Noah. Role: They help Noah with his prophetic mission and with building the ark. They keep the family’s moral and religious standards.

Izta Status: Lord of Astra. Role: He takes part in political and military actions. He sells slaves and adds to the corruption and violence of Atlantis.

Acoa Status: Priest of Zul. Role: He belongs to the religious and supernatural side of the story. He performs dark rituals and uses his mystical knowledge to sway political events.

Places

Zul Function: The capital city and the center of religious, political and social life. It has grand temples, palaces and markets. The temple of the Lord of Light and temples of other gods stand here, along with the Emperor’s palace and many noble houses.

Tek-Ra Function: A province Noah governs under Huitza’s rule. It is a place of righteousness and simplicity, unlike decadent Zul. Noah’s family lives here. The ark, Mexiah, is built here.

The Great Temple of the Moon Function: A major religious building in Zul, devoted to the moon deity. Mystical and supernatural encounters happen here. Priests and priestesses hold rituals and ceremonies.

The Market-Place Function: A busy center of trade in Zul. Vendors of all kinds of goods, auctioneers and performers work here. It is also a place for social gatherings and public shows.

The Bazaar Function: The Bazaar surrounds the Market-Place. All manufacturing and trade is gathered here. It has workshops for many crafts and stalls for food and goods. It is a lively center of business.

The Circus Function: The Circus lies near the Market-Place. Yearly festivals and sacrifices take place here. It offers public entertainment, with fighters and performers from many regions.

The Temple of Neptsis Function: A temple to Neptsis, the goddess of the body and earthly pleasures. It stands close to the Circus and takes part in the sacrifices and festivities.

The Harbour Function: It lies on the waterway of Zul. Boats and rafts dock and trade here. The Fish-god is also worshipped here. Its monstrous statue receives offerings from the fishermen.

The Palace of Tekthah Function: The grand home of the ruler Tekthah. It has courts, galleries and living quarters for high officials and nobles. It is a center of political power and intrigue. It reflects the splendor and corruption of the Atlantean elite.

Mount Axatlan Function: A major landmark known for its volcanic activity. It affects the climate and land around it, including the ash that sometimes falls on Zul.

Noah

Noah lived in Tek-Ra, where he was governor under Huitza. His family lived with him: his wife Talasse, his sons Shem, Ham and Japheth, their wives and their children.

Noah dealt with several key figures in the story:

His family. Noah was close to his wife Talasse, his sons and their wives. His family supported him and kept him company.

Azta. Noah spoke with Azta, a major character, at key moments. These included gatherings and talks about the future and the coming doom of Atlantis.

Nahuasco and Chanoc. These two belonged to Noah’s circle. They helped him with strategic decisions and talks, above all in times of war.

Messengers and warriors. Noah also dealt with many messengers and warriors, above all when he organized defenses and prepared for the flood.

As leader and prophet, Noah had to deal with many kinds of people, in his family and across Atlantis.

The Fish God

The Fish-god is an important religious figure, above all for the fishermen and the people of the harbor. The text gives these details about it:

Depiction. The Fish-god is a monstrous image, part man and part fish. The artist tried to show the fear of the mysterious waves in its terrible features. The statue has big goggle eyes on stalks, like a crab’s. It gives off a sickening stench from the many rotting offerings on its altar.

Location. The statue stands at the entrance to the harbor. Its place shows how much it matters to the fishermen and everyone who works at sea. It is central to the rituals and daily life of the harbor.

Rituals and worship. People often decorate the Fish-god, above all at big events like the Jubilee of Zul. They bring offerings and sacrifices to the statue. This shows its place in their religion. They believe it has power over their lives and over the sea.

Symbolism. The Fish-god holds a model of the Tacoatlanta in its hands. That ties it to the sea and to life at sea. The statue reminds people of the sea’s power and of how much they depend on it. They try to calm the god with offerings.

The Atlantean armada

Composition. The armada is made up of many large warships. Well-known ships include the Tacoatlanta and the Mexteo. The ships carry weapons such as catapults and can hold many warriors.

Function. The armada exists to project military power, move troops and fight at sea. The ships serve in many operations: blocking rivers, attacking enemy positions and supporting campaigns on land.

Key ships:

Tacoatlanta: A major warship, often named in big battles. It carries catapults and other weapons and can do great damage.

Mexteo: Another large warship. It leads attacks and tows rafts full of warriors into battle.

Strategic use. The armada is used in many ways. It builds booms across rivers to block the enemy. It makes night attacks. It moves troops on rafts. The ships’ speed and firepower make them central to Atlantean strategy.

Symbolism and impact. The armada stands for the military might and advanced technology of Atlantis. It frightens enemies and lifts the spirits of Atlantean forces. What the armada does often decides key battles and who holds key places.

The conflicts

War for Control of Atlantis (Toltiah vs. Shar-Jatal)

Who is fighting: Toltiah, with his followers and tribal warriors, against Shar-Jatal and his loyalists.

Motives: Toltiah wants to rule Atlantis and take the throne. Shar-Jatal wants to keep his power and his hold on the land. Ambition, power struggles and the wish to dominate the realm drive the conflict.

Conflict with Zul (Atlanteans vs. Rebels)

Who is fighting: The forces of Atlantis, led by Toltiah, against rebel groups in the city of Zul and around it.

Motives: The rebels are angry with the ruling class, above all Tekthah. They want more self-rule and freedom from oppression. The conflict is full of internal strife and the fight for political power.

Naval Engagements (Atlantean Armada vs. Enemy Vessels)

Who is fighting: The Atlantean armada, including ships like the Tacoatlanta and the Mexteo, against enemy fleets that challenge Atlantean rule of the seas.

Motives: These sea battles are part of Atlantis’s effort to control key waterways and protect its interests at sea. Strategy drives them, along with the need to secure trade routes and home waters.

Defense of Tek-Ra (Noah’s Forces vs. External Threats)

Who is fighting: Noah and his righteous followers defend Tek-Ra against outside threats, including raiding tribes and hostile forces.

Motives: Noah defends Tek-Ra to protect his family and followers from attack. The battles show Noah’s leadership and the rightness of his cause amid moral decay and violence.

Holy War (Noah’s Followers vs. Corrupt Atlanteans)

Who is fighting: Noah preaches a holy war and leads his followers against the corrupt and depraved parts of Atlantis.

Motives: The holy war aims to bring righteousness and divine order back to a society that has sunk into sin and idolatry. Noah’s prophetic visions and divine mandate drive the fight against the godless ways of the Atlanteans.

The destruction

A chain of disasters, natural and supernatural, throws the balance of nature into deep disorder.

Volcanic eruptions. The land suffers violent volcanic activity, above all from Mount Axatlan. This volcano and others erupt and cause destruction far and wide. The ground shakes. Volcanic dust and ash fill the air. The eruptions build new landforms and destroy old ones. They add to the chaos in the region.

Earthquakes. Frequent, severe earthquakes come with the eruptions and shake the land further. Buildings collapse. Huge waves rise. New features form, such as craters and rifts.

Tidal waves and flooding. The earthquakes and eruptions set off huge tidal waves and wide flooding. The waves sweep over the land. They destroy cities, villages and farmland and kill many people. The floods drown large areas, including whole provinces like Tek-Ra. Atlantis becomes a watery wasteland.

Storms and tempests. Violent storms of rain, hail and snow add to the havoc. They damage buildings, flood streets and make the land unlivable. They also bring famine and disease. Natural food sources are destroyed. People eat whatever they can find. In extreme cases they eat each other.

Supernatural influences. The story also describes supernatural forces at work. Heavenly bodies and elemental forces are shown in conflict, which upsets the balance of nature even more. These events are tied to the moral and spiritual decay of the Atlanteans. They suggest divine punishment or a cosmic realignment for the people’s sins and idolatry.

Famine and disease. The disasters bring severe famine and outbreaks of disease to Atlantis. Crops and livestock are destroyed, and people starve. Floods and rotting bodies make conditions filthy. Plague and other illnesses spread. This speeds up the collapse of society.

The reasons for the destruction

The balance of nature is upset as divine punishment and a cosmic realignment for the people’s sins and idolatry.

War among the elements. The book describes the elements in conflict because their natural balance has been upset. This causes disasters such as eruptions from Mount Axatlan, long storms and the collision of watery worlds. Chaos and destruction follow.

Signs in the heavens. The sky shows great signs of turmoil. Meteors plunge through it. A storm of black dust falls on the land. People panic and grow confused. They read these signs as omens of divine anger and coming doom.

Divine judgment and prophecy. Noah and other prophets in the book foresee the destruction of Atlantis as God’s punishment for the people’s constant sins and idolatry. The story often says the sins of Atlantis provoke heaven. This leads to a cosmic crisis and a final day of judgment that seals the fate of Atlantis.

Idolatry and sacrifice. The people of Atlantis practice extreme idolatry. They worship many gods and make horrific sacrifices, human sacrifice among them. This idolatry is an insult to the divine order. It adds to the disorder in nature as divine punishment.

Environmental catastrophes. These disturbances peak in the disasters that strike Atlantis. Earthquakes, floods and eruptions grow more frequent and more violent. They are the physical sign of divine anger and of the world’s final realignment through destruction.

Noah and the idolatrous practices, such as the worship of the fish god

Noah condemns the idolatrous practices and warns of the destruction of Atlantis. This sets the worship of Jehovah against the worship of the Fish-god.

Noah sees the worship of such idols as a main reason for the divine punishment coming to Atlantis. The story draws a clear moral line. Noah and his family stand for purity and obedience to the divine will. The followers of the Fish-god stand for corruption and rejection of true worship.

A summary of the idolatrous practices

Idolatrous Practices

Worship of Idols and Created Things

The people of Atlantis worshipped many idols and natural objects. These included the Sun, gems, the dragon (emblem of the sun), the moon and stars, oxen, cats, frogs and other animals. They made legends and myths about them and worshipped them with strong human feeling and ritual.

Deification of Ancestors

The Atlanteans believed their forefather Adam had been a god. They made gods of their ancient ancestors. They worshipped these ancestors under different emblems. They told myths of deeds beyond anything on earth and worked them into their religion.

Sensual and Debased Mythology

The religion of Atlantis grew more and more licentious and fanciful. It produced a highly sensual and debased mythology. This included obscene images of mystical creation. Statues of degraded, beastly gods stood in every temple, grove and garden.

Human Sacrifice

Human sacrifice was common. Hearts were offered on altars. Victims often died by torture. Children and adults were disemboweled, and their blood was used in rituals to calm the gods.

Ceremonies and Festivals

The people took part in ceremonies and festivals full of frenzied worship and self-mutilation. They used wine and other intoxicants to reach ecstatic devotion. These practices often led to mass hysteria and a further fall in moral standards.

Pure Practices (Opposite of Idolatrous Practices)

Pure Faith and Knowledge of God

At first the people of Atlantis had a pure faith and knowledge of God. Their worship was instinctive and reverent. It needed no images or idols. Their religion rested on a direct link to the divine. It put moral and spiritual integrity first.

Righteous Living and Holiness

The pure practices meant a life of righteousness and holiness, as Noah and his family lived it. They kept their moral integrity and followed God’s commandments and teachings. They avoided the sensual and debased rituals of the idol worshippers.

Simple and Godly Lifestyle

Most Atlanteans lived in decadence and luxury. Those who kept the pure practices lived simple, godly lives. They focused on spiritual growth, ethical behavior and deep respect for the divine order. They kept away from the excesses and corruption around them.

Prophetic Warnings and Divine Guidance

The pure practices meant heeding prophetic warnings and seeking divine guidance. Noah, as prophet and leader, was central to keeping these practices alive. He warned the people of the results of their sins and urged them to return to a life of purity and righteousness.

Chapter by chapter

I went through the book again chapter by chapter. Each title links to that chapter in the full text.

Liber I

Chapter I. The Temple The narrator is the archangel Asia. God sends him down to turn the sons of Adam back from their idols. He lands by a lake, sees his own body for the first time, and at dawn he sees Zul. The drum of the great temple wakes the city.

Grim, awful and majestic in its immensity of sleeping strength, lay the mighty city

Chapter I. The Temple

Chapter II. The Interior The god comes, and the crowds bow. Asia goes into the dark interior of the temple, where priests and priestesses live their whole lives in twilight. What he sees there scares him so much that he flies up above the city into the sun.

Chapter III. Tekthah This chapter sets up the politics. Tekthah, the son of Lamech and brother of Noah, rules Atlantis with judges and legions. His ambition holds the land, but the world sinks into blood.

Atlantis lay under the foot of the sons of Adam

Chapter III. Tekthah

Chapter IV. The Palace The palace of red stone, with its sphinxes on every landing. Here Asia first sees Azta, the Tizin, and he falls for her. She asks her nurse if the stranger is a god.

Chapter V. The Hall of Feasting Asia now wants Azta so badly that he forgets his mission. We meet Mah, the priest of the Moon, and the whole court at the feast: princes, Tzantans of Talascan, warriors of Trocoatla.

Chapter VI. The Garden The love scene in the garden. The angel knows it is wrong and does it anyway.

Ah, those moments of damnable delight!

Chapter VI. The Garden

Chapter VII. The Market-Place Asia comes to the palace dressed as a Magician. He watches Huitza, Rhadaman and Shar-Jatal, and he follows Azta to the market. He sees how easily men kill here.

Chapter VIII. The March of Huitza Azta takes Asia into the Temple of the Moon. Huitza marches out, and Tekthah is told something he does not want to hear.

Chapter IX. Azta There is no news of Huitza. Azta and Asia are alone, and he begs her for love. The chapter ends with a laugh from somewhere between Earth and sky.

And the Sun set and there was nought for us two but our love, that must die, being of Earth.

Chapter IX. Azta

Chapter X. The Throne The Throne of Atlantis and a strange session of the court. A chief tries to take Azta. Asia’s fire knocks the sword out of his hand.

Chapter XI. Noah Asia takes Azta away, and we finally meet Noah in Tek-Ra. Nothing the court says can touch the Patriarch. Here also are his sons Shem, Ham and Japheth.

Chapter XII. A Man and a Nation Asia knows what he should do and goes back to Zul anyway. Mount Axatlan smokes. The chapter ends with a list of the sins that rule the city.

Lust, Suspicion, Intrigue, Violence and Corruption sat in the high places and dared the wrath of the Almighty

Chapter XII. A Man and a Nation

Chapter XIII. The Circus Three days of games in the Circus. On the third day the Champion of Atlantis will fight an unknown man.

Chapter XIV. The Third Day The unknown fighter takes off his helmet, and the crowd sees who it is.

Huitza! Huitza! The God has returned!

Chapter XIV. The Third Day

Chapter XV. The Child of Doom Huitza is back as a hero. Azta’s child is born and named Toltiah. Asia is his father, and he dreams it will turn out well.

yet forgot that no good could be begotten of sin

Chapter XV. The Child of Doom

Chapter XVI. The Feast of Death Tekthah and Shar-Jatal carry out their bloody plan at a feast in the Hall of Feasting. Huitza dies. After that, bad dreams haunt Tekthah.

Chapter XVII. The Passing of Tekthah Tekthah regrets it and fears the shade of Huitza. Signs fall from the sky. Then his head is held up before the crowd.

And thus died Tekthah, Tzan of Atlantis.

Chapter XVII. The Passing of Tekthah

Chapter XVIII. The Halt of Triumph Shar-Jatal is crowned. He wants Azta too, but Asia takes her away and nobody finds her.

Liber II

Chapter I. Preparations Liber II opens with a lament for the vanished builders of towers. Toltiah grows up in Tek-Ra and Atala. Nahuasco trains him in arms, and the sons of Noah teach him hunting.

Chapter II. The Shade of Huitza In Talascan the people wait for Huitza to come back. Instead the warship Tacoatlanta comes up the river.

Chapter III. The Rising Sun Chanoc and Nahuasco hold the city. The armada lays the land waste, and the first catapult goes up over the river.

Chapter IV. The Camp of Toltiah The tribes come to Toltiah from everywhere: herdsmen, the Owl and Vulture standards, the spearmen of Enoch. At night someone cuts the boom across the river.

Chapter V. The Tacoatlanta A battle on the water for the great warship. In the end she surrenders.

Chapter VI. The First Step of Fame They take the ship, and Toltiah’s name starts to count. Asia does not dare pray for his son.

what time Toltiah marched with his legions to the conquest of Atlantis

Chapter VI. The First Step of Fame

Chapter VII. Huitza and Terror In Zul, Shar-Jatal sits uneasy under a crown he cannot carry. Acoa sows trouble among the chiefs, and Azta appears with a living snake on her arm.

Chapter VIII. A Vision of Warning The army marches with wolves behind it. Some of the men see a vision of the primitive Man and of Adam, and they are warned.

And having thus seen, beware !

Chapter VIII. A Vision of Warning

Chapter IX. The March of Toltiah A night attack on the army of Izta. Then the cities of the coast burn.

Chapter X. The Night of Spirits Toltiah dreams of a throne and of a voice. In the morning he remembers a saying that was the voice of Death.

Chapter XI. The House Divided Zul is afraid now. Attackers come over the walls at night, and a stone from the catapult smashes the idol over the gate.

Chapter XII. The Wooing of Zul The great assault on Zul. Toloc, Amal and Tunipa fight on the walls.

Chapter XIII. The Hill of the Talcoatla Sacrifices burn on top of the temple. Part of Zul turns against its own side, and the city falls to Toltiah.

Toltiah, exhausted and wounded, rests on Azta's proud bosom, assured that Zul is in his hands.

Chapter XIII. The Hill of the Talcoatla

Chapter XIV. The Shame of the Strong Blood in the streets, vultures, cannibalism. Then a bright winged Accuser appears and is gone.

Chapter XV. The Jubilee of Zul The feast of the victors. The sons of Noah get no province. The captives are brought out for the mob.

Chapter XVI. “O Terque Quaterque Beati—!” The worst chapter to read. Captives are burned as living torches. The title is Virgil’s line, and the book gives it in English.

O thrice and four times happy, whose fate it was to fall before your fathers' eyes by those high walls!

Chapter XVI. “O Terque Quaterque Beati—!”

Chapter XVII. The Infernal Council Three spirits, Amaziel, Nezca and Leira, talk over the sleeping city about how they will ruin the nation. A sword of celestial fire drives them off.

Chapter XVIII. The Vision of the Earth Asia wants to lift Azta up so she will see everything and act justly. He shows her the history of the Earth. The long footnote on the Cherubim sits in this chapter.

Chapter XIX. The Heart of the World Toltiah turns against his father. Asia takes Azta into the depths, and she laughs in the face of a Shade.

Chapter XX. The Throne of Atlantis Asia, bitter, on women and government. Azta rules through Toltiah, and the people think about going back to Eden.

Woman, how unfitted art thou for government!

Chapter XX. The Throne of Atlantis

Chapter XXI. The Deafness of the Nation Shem and Noah find old graves with graven stones. The warnings go unheard.

Chapter XXII. Susi Susi, the wife of Shem, goes to the palace as a last warning from Heaven. An earthquake separates her from Toltiah.

Liber III

Chapter I. The Cloud on the Edge of the Storm Liber III opens with a cry to God. In the wilderness the family of Noah starts building.

SYMBOLS of the Wrath of God ! Bottomless vessels of His will!

Chapter I. The Cloud on the Edge of the Storm

Chapter II. The Icy Warning of Doom The ark grows: three hundred cubits long, fifty wide, thirty high. Susi prays for Azta.

Chapter III. The Folly of the Land Asia looks back on his madness. The ark is built by people who do not know why.

Chapter IV. The Curse of Atlantis Omens in Zul. The temple fires go out. Asia and Azta sit together in the night.

We have both erred.

Chapter IV. The Curse of Atlantis

Chapter V. The Shame of Zul The people burn their idols and give themselves to the Sun. Then the light goes out over the city.

Chapter VI. The War of the Spirit Asia looks down on the Earth from space and still will not let go.

Yet would I not relinquish my Love.

Chapter VI. The War of the Spirit

Chapter VII. The Leaven of Sin Asia wanders alone near Zul, and the sun sets red behind lava dust.

Chapter VIII. The Answer to the Challenge Zul is in ruins, with meteors and ash. A man throws dust at the sky and laughs.

Chapter IX. The Scorpion Whips of God Riots and famine. The guards keep the food.

Chapter X. The Beauty of Holiness Trouble in Noah’s family over Ham. The animals gather.

Chapter XI. The Navel of the Clouds Ham sees his old mistress Emarna and runs for the higher land.

Chapter XII. “For To-Morrow We Die” The last feast in the Hall of Feasting. Azta speaks before the hundreds.

Chapter XIII. “Mene Mene Tekel Upharsin” The cloud comes down on the hall. Asia raises his buckler over Azta against God himself.

Chapter XIV. The Abomination of Desolation The harbour, the sharks, and the long lament in verse.

Vengeance is sweet, sweet for intended wrongs,\ But this were vengeance for invited sins

Chapter XIV. The Abomination of Desolation

Chapter XV. “Behold, I Will Destroy” The other cities go under. Atala, Axatlan and Tek-Ra disappear beneath the water.

Chapter XVI. The Travail of Earth The Flood lifts the Mexiah, the ark, and carries her east.

Chapter XVII. The Gates of Death The end of Zul. The Appendix follows, on glacial epochs and the organ of belief.