Tarzan the Terrible · Chapter
IX: Bloodstained Altars explained
Tarzan, posing as Dor-ul-Otho, is led through the temple of A-lur by the high priest Lu-don.
What happens
Tarzan, posing as Dor-ul-Otho, is led through the temple of A-lur by the high priest Lu-don. He witnesses the brutal religious practices of the Ho-don, including human sacrifices on eastern altars. Tarzan challenges Lu-don, demanding the release of the pithecanthropi prisoners. Later, in the throne room, Dak-lot presents Tarzan to King Ko-tan and the warriors, where a young warrior confirms having seen Tarzan riding a gryf, helping to convince the assembly of his divine identity.
Themes in this chapter
Power and Corruption
Lu-don and the priesthood wield absolute power through fear and superstition, using human sacrifice to maintain control.
Religion and Superstition
The Ho-don's belief in Jad-ben-Otho and the necessity of blood sacrifices drives the plot, with Tarzan exploiting these superstitions for his own survival.
Civilization vs. Primitivism
The Ho-don display advanced architecture and art yet practice brutal human sacrifice, blurring the line between civilized and primitive.
Characters to notice
- Tarzan
Posing as Dor-ul-Otho, son of Jad-ben-Otho; tours the temple and challenges Lu-don over human sacrifices.
- Lu-don
High priest of A-lur; suspicious of Tarzan's claims but restrained by fear of divine retribution.
- Ko-tan
King of Pal-ul-don; initially skeptical of Tarzan's divinity, but influenced by the testimony of a young warrior.
- Dak-at
Old warrior who presents Tarzan to Ko-tan; visibly terrified during the tense audience.
- Ja-don
Father of Ta-den; mentioned as being present in the throne room, crystallizing Tarzan's interest.
Key passages
““They are the offerings whose blood must refresh the eastern altars as the sun returns to your father at the day’s end.””
Lu-don explains that the prisoners are destined for sacrifice at dawn to honor Jad-ben-Otho.
Highlights the religious justification for human sacrifice.
““Liberate them!” cried Tarzan with a wave of his hand toward the imprisoned victims of a cruel superstition, “for I can tell you in the name of Jad-ben-Otho that you are mistaken.””
Tarzan commands the release of the prisoners, asserting that their sacrifice is not pleasing to the god.
Tarzan uses his assumed divine authority to challenge the priesthood.
““Ko-tan,” he cried, “it must be even as Dak-lot says, for I am sure now that I have seen Dor-ul-Otho before. Yesterday as we were returning with the Kor-ul-lul prisoners we beheld him seated upon the back of a great gryf.””
A young warrior confirms Tarzan's identity by recounting seeing him riding a gryf the previous day.
This testimony helps solidify Tarzan's claim to divinity among the warriors.