The book of the Angels

Interpreted by D. BRIDGMAN-METCHIM 1903

Noah’s condemnation of the idolatrous practices and his prophetic warnings about the destruction of Atlantis highlight the tension between the worship of Jehovah and the idolatry of the Fish-god.

Azta’s Journey in Altantis

Azta’s journey in “Atlantis: The Book of the Angels” involving her rise to power, her relationships, and her ultimate downfall. Here is a summary of her journey based on the content from the book:

1. Ambition and Power: Azta is deeply ambitious and seeks to gain power in Atlantis. She becomes involved in political intrigues, using her beauty and influence to manipulate key figures such as Huitza, Rhadaman, and Shar-Jatal. Her ambition drives many of her actions, including supporting the worship of idols and instituting new priests​​.
2. Relationships and Manipulations: Azta’s relationships are crucial to her journey. She manipulates and controls those around her, including her lover Huitza and her ally Mah. Her influence extends to her son Toltiah, whom she hopes will fulfill her ambitions. Her complex relationship with these characters highlights her manipulative and strategic nature​​.
3. Conflict and Downfall: Azta faces numerous conflicts, both external and internal. She struggles with the moral implications of her actions and the eventual rebellion and unrest in Atlantis. The siege of the city and the ultimate destruction of Atlantis mark her downfall, as she realizes the consequences of her ambition and the role she played in the corruption of her society​​.
4. Supernatural Encounters: Throughout her journey, Azta encounters various supernatural elements and beings. These experiences, including visions and interactions with celestial entities, add a mystical layer to her story and highlight the spiritual and otherworldly aspects of her character​​.
5. Final Moments: In her final moments, Azta faces the collapse of her ambitions and the ruin of Atlantis. Her despair and realization of her errors come too late, and she is left to confront the destruction she helped bring about. Her story ends in tragedy, with a recognition of the price of her ambition and the loss of everything she sought to achieve​​.

Azta’s journey is marked by her relentless pursuit of power, her complex relationships, and her ultimate realization of the catastrophic impact of her actions.

Characters

1. Azta
   • Status: Central character, ambitious and powerful.
   • Role: Manipulative and influential figure in Atlantis, seeks power and control, has complex relationships with other key figures like Huitza and Mah.
2. Noah
   • Status: Righteous and upright leader, governor of Tek-Ra.
   • Role: Prophetic figure who foresees the destruction of Atlantis, builds the ark (Mexiah) to save his family and selected animals, maintains a holy lifestyle amidst corruption .
3. Huitza
   • Status: Ruler and lover of Azta.
   • Role: Powerful and significant figure in Atlantis, involved in political and military actions, eventually betrayed and killed in the power struggles .
4. Rhadaman
   • Status: Ambitious and manipulative prince.
   • Role: Aspires to the throne, involved in various plots and intrigues, often at odds with other leaders including his own family .
5. Shar-Jatal
   • Status: High-ranking official.
   • Role: Engages in conspiracies and political machinations, key player in the downfall of other leaders and the eventual destruction of Atlantis .
6. Mah
   • Status: Influential priest and manipulator.
   • Role: Uses religious influence to manipulate political events, plays a critical role in the conflicts and conspiracies of the story .
7. Talasse
   • Status: Wife of Noah.
   • Role: Supportive and pious partner, part of Noah’s righteous household that maintains moral integrity .
8. Shem, Ham, Japheth
   • Status: Sons of Noah.
   • Role: Assist Noah in his prophetic mission and the building of the ark, maintain the family’s moral and religious standards .
9. Izta
   • Status: Lord of Astra.
   • Role: Engages in various political and military actions, sells slaves, and contributes to the corruption and violence of Atlantis .
10. Acoa
    • Status: Priest of Zul.
    • Role: Involved in religious and supernatural aspects of the story, engages in dark rituals and influences political events through his mystical knowledge .

Places

1. Zul
   • Function: The capital city, a central hub of religious, political, and social activities. It houses grand temples, palaces, and marketplaces. The temple of the Lord of Light and various other deities are located here, along with the Emperor’s palace and many noble residences .
2. Tek-Ra
   • Function: A province governed by Noah under Huitza’s rule. It is a place of righteousness and simplicity, in contrast to the decadence of Zul. Noah’s family resides here, and it serves as the site for building the ark, Mexiah.
3. The Great Temple of the Moon
   • Function: A significant religious structure in Zul, dedicated to the worship of the moon deity. It is a place of mystical and supernatural encounters, with rituals and ceremonies conducted by priests and priestesses.
4. The Market-Place
   • Function: A bustling center of trade and commerce in Zul. It hosts vendors of various goods, auctioneers, and performers. It is also a place for social gatherings and public spectacles .
5. The Bazaar
   • Function: Surrounding the Market-Place, the Bazaar is where all manufacturing and trade activities are concentrated. It includes workshops for various crafts, stalls for food and goods, and is a vibrant hub of economic activity .
6. The Circus
   • Function: Located near the Market-Place, the Circus is a venue for annual festivals and sacrifices. It provides entertainment and public amusement, hosting combatants and performers from various regions .
7. The Temple of Neptsis
   • Function: A temple dedicated to Neptsis, the goddess of the body and earthly pleasures. It is situated close to the Circus and is involved in the rituals of sacrifices and festivities .
8. The Harbour
   • Function: Located by the waterway of Zul, it serves as a docking and trading point for boats and rafts. It is also the site of the worship of the Fish-god, with a monstrous statue receiving offerings from the fishermen.
9. The Palace of Tekthah
   • Function: The grand residence of the ruler Tekthah, it includes various courts, galleries, and living quarters for high-ranking officials and nobles. It is a center of political power and intrigue, reflecting the grandeur and corruption of the Atlantean elite .
10. Mount Axatlan
    • Function: A significant geographical feature known for its volcanic activity. It influences the climate and environment of the surrounding areas, including the occasional ash falls in Zul.

Noah

Noah lived in Tek-Ra, where he served as the governor under Huitza. He lived there with his family, including his wife Talasse, his sons Shem, Ham, and Japheth, their wives, and their children​​.

Noah communicated with several key figures throughout the story:

1. His Family: Noah had close interactions with his wife Talasse, his sons, and their wives. His family played a significant role in his life, providing him with support and companionship​​.
2. Azta: Noah communicated with Azta, a significant character in the story, particularly during pivotal moments such as the gatherings and discussions about the future and the impending doom of Atlantis​​.
3. Nahuasco and Chanoc: These characters were part of Noah’s circle, assisting him in strategic decisions and discussions, especially during times of war and conflict​​.
4. Messengers and Warriors: Noah also interacted with various messengers and warriors, particularly when organizing defenses and preparing for the flood​​.

Noah’s role as a leader and a prophet placed him in a position where he had to engage with a diverse group of individuals, both within his family and among the broader community of Atlantis.

The Fish God

The Fish-god is a significant religious figure, particularly for the fishermen and those who frequent the harbor area. Here are some details about the Fish-god based on the text:

1. Depiction: The Fish-god is described as a monstrous image, part man and part fish. The artist endeavored to express the fear of the mysterious waves in its frightful lineaments. The statue has great goggle eyes set on stems, resembling those of a crab, and it exudes an overpowering stench from the numerous rotting oblations on its altar​​.
2. Location: The statue of the Fish-god is located at the entrance to the harbor. This placement underscores its importance to the fishermen and those involved in maritime activities. It is a central figure in the rituals and daily life of the harbor community​​.
3. Rituals and Worship: The Fish-god is regularly adorned with ornaments, especially during significant events such as the Jubilee of Zul. The people offer oblations and sacrifices to the statue, indicating its role in their religious practices and its perceived power to influence their lives and the sea​​.
4. Symbolism: The Fish-god holds a model of the Tacoatlanta in its hands, symbolizing its connection to the sea and maritime life. The statue serves as a reminder of the sea’s power and the people’s dependence on it, as well as their efforts to appease the deity through offerings​​.

The Atlantean armada

1. Composition: The armada consists of multiple large warships, including notable vessels like the Tacoatlanta and the Mexteo. These ships are equipped with weaponry such as catapults and are capable of carrying large numbers of warriors​​.
2. Function: The primary function of the armada is to project military power, transport troops, and engage in naval battles. The ships are used in various strategic operations, including blocking rivers, attacking enemy positions, and supporting land-based military campaigns​​.
3. Key Ships:
   • Tacoatlanta: A significant warship often mentioned in the context of major battles. It is equipped with catapults and other weaponry and is capable of causing great destruction.
   • Mexteo: Another large warship that leads assaults and tows rafts full of warriors into battle​​.
4. Strategic Use: The armada is strategically deployed in various scenarios, such as creating booms across rivers to prevent enemy movements, conducting night attacks, and using rafts to transport troops. The ships’ mobility and firepower make them a critical component of Atlantean military strategy​​.
5. Symbolism and Impact: The armada symbolizes the military might and technological advancement of Atlantis. Its presence instills fear in enemies and boosts the morale of the Atlantean forces. The armada’s actions often determine the outcome of key battles and the control of strategic locations​​.

The conflicts

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

• Who is Fighting: Toltiah, with the support of his followers and various tribal warriors, against Shar-Jatal and his loyalists.
• Motives: Toltiah seeks to establish his rule over Atlantis and claim the throne, while Shar-Jatal aims to retain his power and control over the land. The conflict is fueled by ambition, power struggles, and the desire for dominance over the realm .

Conflict with Zul (Atlanteans vs. Rebels)

• Who is Fighting: The forces of Atlantis, led by Toltiah, against rebellious factions within the city of Zul and surrounding areas.
• Motives: The rebellion is driven by discontent with the ruling class, specifically Tekthah, and a desire for greater autonomy and freedom from oppressive rule. The conflict is marked by internal strife and the struggle for political power.

Naval Engagements (Atlantean Armada vs. Enemy Vessels)

• Who is Fighting: The Atlantean armada, including ships like the Tacoatlanta and Mexteo, against enemy fleets attempting to challenge Atlantean supremacy on the seas.
• Motives: These naval battles are part of Atlantis’s efforts to maintain control over key waterways and protect their maritime interests. The conflicts are driven by strategic considerations and the need to secure trade routes and territorial waters.

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

• Who is Fighting: Noah and his righteous followers, defending Tek-Ra, against various external threats, including marauding tribes and hostile forces.
• Motives: Noah’s defense of Tek-Ra is motivated by the need to protect his family and followers from external aggression. The battles are a testament to Noah’s leadership and the righteousness of his cause in the face of moral decay and violence.

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

• Who is Fighting: Noah, preaching a holy war, leads his followers against the corrupt and morally depraved elements within Atlantis.
• Motives: The holy war is motivated by a desire to restore righteousness and divine order to a society that has fallen into sin and idolatry. Noah’s prophetic visions and divine mandate drive the conflict against the godless practices of the Atlanteans.

The destruction

The balance of nature is profoundly disturbed due to a series of cataclysmic events driven by both natural and supernatural forces.

1. Volcanic Eruptions: The land experiences intense volcanic activity, particularly from Mount Axatlan. Eruptions from this volcano, among others, cause widespread destruction, shaking the ground, and filling the air with volcanic dust and ash. The eruptions lead to the creation of new landforms and the destruction of existing ones, contributing to the chaos and instability in the region​​.
2. Earthquakes: Frequent and severe earthquakes accompany the volcanic eruptions, further destabilizing the land. These tremors cause buildings to collapse, create massive waves, and lead to the formation of new geological features, such as craters and rifts​​.
3. Tidal Waves and Flooding: The seismic and volcanic activities trigger massive tidal waves and widespread flooding. These waves sweep across the land, destroying cities, villages, and farmlands, and causing significant loss of life. The floods submerge large territories, including entire provinces like Tek-Ra, creating a watery desolation across Atlantis​​.
4. Storms and Tempests: Violent storms, including rain, hail, and snow, contribute to the environmental havoc. These tempests damage buildings, flood streets, and make the land inhospitable. The storms also lead to famine and disease as the natural food sources are destroyed and people are forced to consume whatever they can find, including each other in extreme cases​​.
5. Supernatural Influences: The narrative also includes descriptions of supernatural forces at play. Celestial bodies and elemental forces are depicted as being in conflict, further disturbing the natural balance. These supernatural events are intertwined with the moral and spiritual decay of the Atlanteans, suggesting a divine retribution or cosmic realignment due to the people’s sins and idolatry​​.
6. Famine and Disease: As a result of these natural disasters, Atlantis faces severe famine and outbreaks of disease. The destruction of crops and livestock leads to starvation, and the unsanitary conditions brought about by the floods and decaying bodies result in the spread of plague and other illnesses. This further accelerates the collapse of the society​​.

The reasons for the destruction

The balance of nature is disturbed as a form of divine retribution and cosmic realignment due to the people’s sins and idolatry.

1. War Among the Elements: The book describes a scenario where the elements are in conflict because their natural balance is disturbed. This disturbance causes natural disasters such as volcanic eruptions from Mount Axatlan, prolonged storms, and the collision of watery worlds, leading to environmental chaos and destruction​​.
2. Signs in the Heavens: The heavens display great signs of turmoil, such as meteors plunging through the sky and a storm of black dust falling upon the land, causing panic and confusion among the people. These celestial events are interpreted as omens of divine anger and impending doom​​.
3. Divine Judgment and Prophecy: Noah and other prophetic figures in the book foresee the destruction of Atlantis as a divine punishment for the people’s persistent sins and idolatry. The narrative frequently mentions that the sins of Atlantis provoke heaven, leading to a cosmic crisis and the eventual judgment day where the fate of Atlantis is sealed​​.
4. Idolatry and Sacrifice: The people of Atlantis engage in extreme idolatry, worshipping various deities and making horrific sacrifices, including human sacrifices. This idolatry is seen as a direct affront to the divine order and contributes to the disturbances in nature as a form of divine retribution​​.
5. Environmental Catastrophes: The culmination of these disturbances is seen in the environmental catastrophes that plague Atlantis. Earthquakes, floods, and volcanic eruptions become more frequent and intense, symbolizing the physical manifestation of divine displeasure and the ultimate realignment of the world through destruction​​.

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

Noah’s condemnation of the idolatrous practices and his prophetic warnings about the destruction of Atlantis highlights the tension between the worship of Jehovah and the idolatry of the Fish-god.

Noah sees the worship of such idols as a primary reason for the divine retribution that will befall Atlantis. The narrative portrays a clear moral dichotomy, with Noah and his family representing purity and obedience to divine will. At the same time, the followers of the Fish-god embody corruption and defiance of true worship.

A summary of the idolatrous practices

Idolatrous Practices

Worship of Idols and Created Things

The people of Atlantis worshipped various idols and natural objects, including the Sun, gems, the dragon (emblem of the sun), the moon and stars, oxen, cats, frogs, and other animals. They created legends and myths around these entities and worshipped them with strong human feelings and rituals​​.

Deification of Ancestors

The Atlanteans believed their forefather Adam to have been a god and deified their ancient ancestors. They worshipped these ancestors under various emblems and created myths that surpassed earthly deeds, incorporating them into their religious practices​​.

Sensual and Debased Mythology

The religion of Atlantis became increasingly licentious and imaginative, leading to the creation of a highly sensual and debased mythology. This included obscene representations of mystical creation and effigies of degraded and bestial gods placed in every temple, grove, and garden​​.

Human Sacrifice

Human sacrifices were a common practice, with hearts being offered on altars, and victims often being subjected to torturous deaths. This included the disembowelment of children and adults, with their blood being used in rituals to appease the gods​​.

Ceremonies and Festivals

The people participated in various ceremonies and festivals that involved acts of frenzied worship, self-mutilation, and the use of wine and other intoxicants to reach states of ecstatic devotion. These practices often led to mass hysteria and further degradation of moral values​​.

Pure Practices (Opposite of Idolatrous Practices)

Pure Faith and Knowledge of God

Initially, the inhabitants of Atlantis possessed a pure faith and knowledge of God. This involved a more instinctive and reverent form of worship without the need for physical representations or idols. Their religion was based on a direct connection to the divine, emphasizing moral and spiritual integrity​​.

Righteous Living and Holiness

The pure practices included living a life of righteousness and holiness, as exemplified by Noah and his family. They maintained moral integrity and adhered to the commandments and teachings of God, avoiding the sensual and debased rituals that characterized the idolatrous practices​​.

Simple and Godly Lifestyle

Unlike the decadent and luxurious lifestyles of the Atlanteans, the pure practitioners led simple and godly lives. They focused on spiritual growth, ethical behavior, and a deep respect for the divine order, staying away from the excesses and corruptions of their society​​.

Prophetic Warnings and Divine Guidance

The pure practices involved heeding prophetic warnings and seeking divine guidance. Noah’s role as a prophet and leader was central to maintaining these practices, as he warned the people of the consequences of their sins and urged them to return to a life of purity and righteousness​​.