# IX: Bloodstained Altars explained — Tarzan the Terrible

> Chapter companion for Tarzan the Terrible by Edgar Rice Burroughs.

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### 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 lines

> “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._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tarzan_the_terrible_se/chapters/ix-bloodstained-altars
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tarzan_the_terrible_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tarzan_the_terrible_se/chapters