Zoucher Nuttall - Codex Nuttall
Zoucher Nuttall - Codex Nuttall
Zoucher Nuttall - Codex Nuttall
FACSIMILE OF AN
ENGLAND
PjarbarH JKntbfrsttg
CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS
1902
Sinttasttg Pr£g0:
John Wilson & Son, Cambridge, U.S.A.
Lord Eight-Ehecatl.
To the subscribers to the Fund for the Encouragement of Mexican and Central
American Research, the Museum is indebted for the means of publishing this valuable
Codex.
F. W. PUTNAM,
Curator of the Museum.
Harvard University,
December, 1901.
HOW THE CODEX WAS BROUGHT TO LIGHT
I T was during an informal reception at Casa Villari in Florence, some years ago, that I
first learned of the existence of the Ancient Mexican Codex, the facsimile of which
I now have the pleasure of presenting to the literary and scientific world.
With his characteristic kindliness and interest in all historical research, an inquiry as
to the progress of my work in the Florentine libraries was addressed me by my host, Pasquale
Villari, Senator and Ex-Minister of Public Instruction, Professor and Historian, whose works
on Savonarola and Machiavelli are universally known.
The subject of old manuscripts was one of paramount interest to us both. We were
soon deep in a discussion of the marvellous wealth of Florentine libraries, in one of which, the
Mediceo-Laurentian Library, the original manuscript of the most valuable work in existence
on Ancient Mexico, by Friar Bernardino de Sahagun, was preserved. In another, the Biblioteca
Nazionale Centrale, I had just discovered an important Hispano-Mexican manuscript.
At this juncture, Senator Villari communicated some facts to me which aroused my
keenest interest and made an indelible impression upon my memory.1 He told me that, more
than thirty years previously, he had spent some time examining and studying historical docu¬
ments preserved in the Library of the Monastery of San Marco, around which cluster so many
memories of Fra Angelico and Fra Savonarola. It was by chance that, about this time,
Signor Villari first became acquainted with an ancient Mexican Codex. One of the friars of
San Marco brought it to a salon frequented by Florentine litterati and scholars, in order to
obtain an opinion about it. He asked Pasquale Villari, the future historian, whether he could
understand and explain the curious manuscript. The friar stated that neither he nor the other
1 At my request, Professor Villari has since sent me a written Museum, considering it of great importance, as it constitutes the
account, from which I quote, verbatim, the above facts concerning only forthcoming documentary evidence and proof that the Codex
the Codex. I have deposited his communication at the Peabody once belonged to the San Marco Library.
I
monks could make anything out of it. They had already sent it to be examined by a member
of the institution known as the Propaganda Fide in Rome. His reply had been “that the
document was probably intended for the amusement of children, but was so foolish that it
could only bore them.”
With the eye of a connoisseur, Signor Villari saw at a glance that the despised manu¬
script was of great value and interest, being an Ancient Mexican Codex, with occasional words
inserted, as if to explain the hieroglyphics. Subsequently, whilst studying in the old library,
Signor Villari would now and then pause at the case where the curious document was kept, to
look wonderingly at its pages, covered with figures and unknown signs. He examined it with
interest and attention, and begged the friar, its custodian, to guard it with the utmost care.
Later, a disturbed political period supervened and the monastic orders were suppressed
throughout Italy. The library of San Marco became the property of the state and was
thrown open to the public. On revisiting the library Signor Villari made inquiries about the
Mexican manuscript, but in vain, for it had vanished. He subsequently learned that it had
been sold to a wealthy Englishman residing in Florence. On applying to the latter for
permission to see the manuscript again, Signor Villari was informed that it was no longer
in his possession, and had been given to a friend in England. “ So there the matter
ended,” said my host, with an expression of deep regret that Florence should have thus
lost so rare a treasure, and one which had doubtlessly been preserved within its walls during
centuries.
In response to my eager questioning Senator Villari, who had not seen it for over thirty
years, and was not a specialist in Mexicana, described the manuscript to me, in detail, with an
accuracy and distinctness which revealed his marvellous powers of observation and memory.
He suggested, and we discussed, the possibility that the lost Codex might now be preserved
in some museum, or even have been published. His mention of explanatory notes, written in
Spanish characters, convinced me that it could not have been one of the few well-known
Ancient Mexican Codices, for I knew of only one manuscript, painted on skin, which exhibits
such notes; namely, the Becker Codex, now in the Imperial Ethnographical Museum at
2
Vienna, which was brought from Mexico by the late Philip Becker of Darmstadt.1 This
manuscript, which has explanations in the Zapotec language, written in Spanish characters,
consists of twenty-six pages only, whereas Senator Villari described a much more voluminous
Codex.
At the time when the above memorable interview took place, I was on the eve of my
departure from Florence. During my absence, which lasted a year, I studied the antecedents
of all known Ancient Mexican Codices, ascertained that not one of them could possibly be
identical with that which had once been the property of the San Marco Library and
became more and more deeply convinced that the Codex, as described, must have been
an original and one of incalculable importance, on account of explanatory notes inscribed
upon its pages.
On communicating all this to Senator Villari when I returned to Florence, I ex¬
pressed my eagerness to ascertain if the Codex still existed, and, if so, to rescue it from the
oblivion to which it had been consigned for over thirty years.
The more we discussed the mode of instituting such a search, the more we realized its
difficulties, owing to the existence of certain obvious complications.
In addition to the information already given, Senator Villari was able to furnish me with
an all-important clue. In possession of this I soon began a search which, in course of time,
proved successful, owing to the fact that my written applications for information were
responded to with utmost courtesy and good-will.
I learned that, about thirty years ago, the Codex was presented as a gift to the Hon.
Robert Curzon, 14th Baron Zouche, the well-known author of “Ancient Monasteries of the
East,” who had brought together in his library at Parham, County of Sussex, a most interest¬
ing and valuable collection of rare manuscripts “ to illustrate the history of the art of writing.”
The catalogue of this collection, limited to an edition of fifty copies, and published in London
1 A copy of this manuscript was published in facsimile in Geneva to the interesting fact that this manuscript is the missing portion of
in 1892, by Monsieur Henri de Saussure, under the name of “ Le the Codex Colombino, which was published, in 1892, by the Junta
nianuscrit du Cacique.” Dr. Seler of Berlin has drawn attention Colombina of Mexico.
3
in 1849, describes and illustrates the “Materials for Writing, Early Writing on Tablets,
Stones, rolled and other manuscripts, Books and Oriental manuscripts, in the library of the
Hon. Robert Curzon.” It was in these surroundings that, during one-third of a century, the
Codex remained undisturbed and so lost to view that not even a rumor of its existence
reached the outer world. It is undoubtedly to this circumstance that the Codex owes the
freshness and brilliancy of its coloring and the fact that it is in a more perfect state of preser¬
vation than any other known manuscript of its kind. At the death of the Hon. Robert
Curzon, in 1873, the Codex became the property of his son, Robert Nathaniel Cecil George
Curzon, Baron Zouche of Harynworth, the present and 15th Lord Zouche, from whom,
through the kind mediatorship of Sir Edward Maunde Thompson, K. C. B., the distinguished
Director of the British Museum, I obtained permission, not only to study, but also to publish
the valuable document, in order to place it within the reach of my fellow-students.
It was in June, 1898, at the British Museum, that the long sought for Codex was finally
laid into my hands, for inspection, by its custodian, Sir Edward Maunde Thompson. As I
eagerly scanned its pages, I found that, whereas the explanatory notes did not fulfil my hopes
and expectations, the Codex itself far surpassed them. I soon realized that it was the most
superb example of an Ancient Mexican historical manuscript I had ever seen, which, in
wealth of detail and interest even excelled its sister, the Vienna Codex. For reasons which
are explained on page 11, I was naturally much impressed at finding that the first year date
recorded in the Codex was I Acatl, accompanied by the sign 1 cipactli. In order to afford me
the desired opportunity of studying it during my stay in Oxford, the Codex was subsequently
transferred, temporarily, to the Bodleian Library and deposited there for my particular use. It
was within the venerable walls of the most beautiful of old libraries, that I had the pleasure of
showing the newly found treasure to Mr. Charles P. Bowditch of Boston, a member of the Faculty
of the Peabody Museum of American Archaeology and Ethnology. With characteristic enthu¬
siasm and generosity, Mr. Bowditch volunteered to provide the necessary funds for publishing
the Codex, in facsimile, through the Peabody Museum, Harvard University, while I offered
to assume the responsibility and work of carrying out the publication. Soon afterward, at the
4
Bodleian Library, I held the consultations which were necessary before undertaking so difficult
and costly a work as its reproduction in facsimile. This has been admirably carried out by
the firm of Messrs. Gilb* Whitehead and Co., of New Eltharn, Kent, S. E.
It is with pleasure that I seize this occasion to express my appreciation of the interest
and unsparing pains bestowed upon the work by the head of the firm as well as by the excep¬
tionally skilled artists in their employ. Owing to various difficulties, partly arising from
the fact that the Codex could not be removed from the British Museum building, the
work was much retarded, and, instead of being finished by Nov. i, 1899, as first antici¬
pated, was not completed until April, 1901. One main reason for the delay was the fact that
photography could not be utilized, and the entire Codex had to be traced by the hand of an
artist, whose accurate and admirable drawing is unsurpassed.
An expression of grateful acknowledgment is due to Sir Edward Maunde Thompson,
K.C.B., and to Mr. George Warner, the Keeper of the Manuscript Department of the British
Museum, not only for the untiring interest taken in the work, but also for their kind super¬
vision and correction of proofs during my absence from England.
Students of Mexican archaeology will ever feel themselves to be under a great obliga¬
tion to Lord Zouche for generously authorizing the present publication.
5
HHMHMR
L IKE the nine other Mexican Codices in existence, of the original. The stiff parchment covers which protect
the facsimile have been designed by me in strict accord¬
which constitute the finest remaining specimens of
native pictography,1 the present one is painted on pre¬ ance with native methods.
Although no traces now exist to prove that the original
pared deer-skin, the strips of which are glued together, at
intervals, and form a long, folded band. The surfaces of Codex was once provided with outer covers, we know that
both sides of the skin are covered with a thick layer of such were employed by the Ancient Mexicans. The
a white substance which presents a smooth, slightly glazed outer folds of the Laud Codex, preserved at the Bodleian
surface. On this the artist first drew the outlines of his Library, are covered with stiff pieces of deerskin, the
figures in black, and subsequently filled these in with color. originally hairy coating of which appears to have been
A careful study of the original reveals that the artist pre¬ destroyed by moths.
pared small quantities of each color at a time, and that he The Vatican Codex (3773) is protected by thin, pol¬
did not always succeed in obtaining exactly the same shade ished wooden boards, one of which is plain, while the
twice. The scheme of color on the obverse is, more¬ other exhibits traces of incrustations. Senor Troncoso
over, different from that on the reverse, which presents a has rightly pointed out that the cover on which an inlaid
greater profusion of detail. The paints employed were so disc of green stone still exists, is attached to the first page
fine and skilfully prepared, that for nearly four centuries of the Codex, and therefore designates its beginning.
they have preserved, undimmed, their exquisite beauty Experience in handling a folded native book, particu¬
and delicacy. According to Bustamante the native artists larly one which, like the present Codex, is painted on
purposely withheld from their Conquerors the secret of both sides, with signs in reverse positions, teaches not
the knowledge they had attained, through centuries of only the importance of designating the beginning of a
experience, of manufacturing beautiful and lasting colors Codex, but also the necessity of some external sign
from vegetable and mineral substances. which indicates the position of the figures on the first
The present publication reproduces the exact dimensions page.
1 The Codices of this category are : VIII. (a) Becker Codex; (b) Colombino Codex.
I. Vatican Codex No. 3773. IX. Vienna Codex.
II. Borgian Codex. The present Codex completes this list as No. X. In order to
III. Bologna (Cospian) Codex. simplify references to the above Codices, some of which have been
IV. Fejervary (Mayer) Codex. recently re-named by Senor Troncoso, it is my intention to cite
V. Laud Codex. them in future by the above numbers, — a method I recommend to
VI. Bodleian Codex. the consideration of my fellow-workers.
VII. Selden Codex.
6
MH
I have supplied this by having the initial and dominant tionalized rays which, on the Cosmical Tablet popularly
year and day signs of the Codex (I Acatl i Cipactli) known as the Calendar stone of Mexico, for instance,
reproduced in color, on the outer cover, to which the radiate at equal distances from the circle, which signifies
first page is attached. In thus using a calendar sign the whole. The native all-pervading philosophical con¬
I have followed the precedent afforded by the Selden ception of the Cosmos as a “ Four in One,” conveyed by
Manuscript No. 2, preserved at the Bodleian Library, on the four rays attached to the circle, is conspicuously carried
the outer page of which a year-sign is painted. out in the four year-signs of the native Calendar, each of
The cursive native method of designating a year-sign which also symbolizes one of the four elements. The
was to combine one of the four chief calendar signs (in combination of one of the four year-signs and one of the
the present case Acatl — cane) to what somewhat resembles symbolical rays, to a complete circle, clearly expressed the
a monogram composed of an A and an O. The first (like fourth part of the quadruplicate whole.1
an A) is a reproduction of one of the four painted conven¬
T HE text of the Codex reads from right to left, there¬ reached, the transition to page 44 on the reverse is effected
fore, when the book lies closed, with the conven¬ by the following manipulation, which those who intend to
tionalized ray of the year-sign pointing upwards, the left study the Codex should not fail to master as soon as pos¬
end of the cover is to be raised and carried over to the sible. Close the book so that the cover with the year-
right, thus disclosing page 1, which begins in the lower sign again lies uppermost and the latter points in the
right-hand corner. On page 3 an ingenious use of red same direction as when the book was first opened. Then
lines begins. They are employed to form divisions and turn the book around, without lifting or opening it, until
cause the text to wind up and down the pages in a narrow the point of the conventionalized ray points downwards.
course which widens, now and then, when a large group of Then again lift the left end of the cover, let it drop to the
personages and some marked event is depicted. On right, and page 44 will be disclosed.
page 11 a red line is carried in zigzag down the entire On looking through the Codex it will be seen that
page and clearly separates one portion of the text from although printed in one, page 19 on the obverse, and
that which follows, beginning with the group formed by a page 76 on the reverse occupy two pages each, which will
man and a woman between twin mountains which are be respectively designated as a and b. On reaching
covered with snow. page 84 it will be realized that, although the text seems to
The next marked division of the text by means of a
1 See The Fundamental Principles of Old and New World Civili¬
continuous line occurs on page 33. When page 43 is zations, Zelia Nuttall, Peabody Museum Papers, Vol. II, p. 251.
have come to a natural end, since it represents a death, comer, with the yellow color he had commenced to use
funeral offerings, and a ceremonial cremation, the Codex on this page. The left upper corner of page 84 is blank,
itself must be regarded as unfinished. The last page is as well as the four following pages, three of which are
only partially colored. It would seem as though the artist’s painted on their other sides.
last touches were those he made in its lower right-hand
Nahuatl or Mexican
An analysis of the above notes seems to prove that
On page 84 and blank page beyond : names of four they were the result of some ineffectual attempt to
year-signs, in wrong order. decipher the Codex by some one who was familiar with
Page 84. Name of month Tlacaxipehualiztli, wrongly both Italian and Spanish and had learned some Nahuatl
spelt tlacaxipectli. names.
Page 76. The names of one unknown and one of The circumstance that he noted the native years in a
known native sign : Tlantepuzillamatl and Nauhollin. wrong sequence, mistook day-signs for year-signs, assumed
Spanish that the Codex was to be read from left to right, and
Page 83. Ano de . . . numeral partly effaced ; next began to study it at the wrong end, sufficiently demon¬
to year-sign 12 Tochtli. strates the regrettable fact that his explanatory notes can
--
mm _
be of no serious value to students. On the other hand their writer was convinced that the Codex was in the
they clearly establish one significant point, namely, that Nahuatl language.
■HWi
Emmanuel of Portugal, and had in turn been presented sister-Codices not only had a common origin, but also a
by him to Giulio de’ Medici, afterwards Clement VII. somewhat analogous history, both having Florentine
These facts afford strong evidence that the Vienna Codex associations.
was one of the two “ native books ” received by Charles V In conclusion : it is certain that in the Vienna and its
in 1520. sister-Codex we possess two manuscripts of the same
5. The same inscription records that the Vienna Codex authorship, and bearing the same date. Historical evi¬
passed from the possession of Clement VII into that of dence points to the conclusion that they are identical
another ecclesiastical member of the Florentine Medici with the “ two native books ” recorded in the inventory
family. A natural inference is that it must also, at one of 1519.
time, have been in Florence, in which city other rarities, Let us now examine how far the sister-Codices them¬
specified in the inventory of 1519, were stored in the selves yield internal evidence in support of the view that
Medici palace until a short time ago. they date from the time of Montezuma, and are in the
6. The fact that, until recently, the present Codex was Nahuatl language, as assumed by the unknown individual
preserved in Florence, undoubtedly links its history to who annotated one of them.
that of the Vienna Codex. It therefore seems that the
YEAR I ACATL
Months? e > ^ 5 a a
Days: Cipactli 13 7 1 8 2 9 3
Ehecatl 2 9 3 10 4 11 5 12 6 13 7 1 ED 2 .9 3 10 4
Calli 3 10 4 11 5 12 6 13 7 1 8 2 9 3 10 4 11 5 YEAR II TECPATL
Cuetzpalin 4 11 5 12 6 13 7 1 8 2 9 3 10 4 11 5 12 G - _ _ a
> ► X
COATL 6 12 6 13 7 1 8 2 9 3 10 4 11 5 12 G 13 7 - a > > > X X 3 X X X X X X
Hiquiztlt 6 13 7 1 8 2 9 3 10 4 11 5 12 G 13 7 1- 8 2 9 3 10 4 11 5 12 G 13 7 1 S 2 9 3 10 4
Mazatl 1 8 2 9 3 10 4 11 12 G 13 7 1 8 2 9 3 10 4 11 12 G 13 7 1 8 2 9 3 10 4 11
Tochtli 8 2 9 3 10 4 11 5 12 G 13 7 1 S 2 9 3 10 4 11 5 12 6 13 7 1 8 2 9 3 10 4 11 5 12 G YEAR hi CALLI
ATL 9 3 10 4 11 5 12 G 13 T 1 8 2 9 3 10 4 11 5 12 6 13 7 1 8 2 9 3 10 4 11 5 12 G 13 7 - a _
>
> > > X a X X X
ITZCUINTLI 10 4 11 5 12 0 13 7 1 8 2 9 3 10 4 11 5’ 12 G 13 7 1 8 2 9 3 10 4 11 5 12 G 13 7 I 8 - a > X £ £ X
OZ0MATLI 11 5 12 6 13 7 1 8 2 9 3 10 4 11 5 .12 G 13 7 1 8 2 -9 .3 10 4 11 5 12 G 13 7 1 S 2 9 3 10 4 11 5 12 6 13 7 1 8 2 9 3 10 4 ii T)
Malinalli 12 6 13 7 1 8 2 9 3 10 4 11 5 12 G 13 7 1 8 2 9 3 10 4 11 5 12 6 13 7 1 S 2 9 3 10 4 11 5 12 G 13 7 1 8 2 9 3 10 4 11 5 12 6
Acatl 13 7 1 8 2 9 3 10 4 11 5 12 6 13 7 1 8 2 9 3 10 4 11 5 12 G 13 7 1 8 2 9 3 10 4 11 5 12 6 13 7 1 8 2 9 3 10 4 11 5 12 G 13 7
Ocelotl 1 8 2 9 3 10 4 11 5 12 0 13 7 1 8 2 9 3 10 4 11 5 12. G 13 7 1 8 2 9 3 10 4 11 5 12 G 13 7 1 8 2 9 3 10 4 11 5 12 G 13 7 1 8
Quauhtli 2 9 3 10 4 11 5 12 0 13 7 1 8 2 9 3 10 4 11 5 12 G 13 7 1 S 2 9 3 10 4 11 ~) 12 G 13 7 1 8 2 9 3 10 4 11 12 6 13 7 ft 1 8 2 9
COZCAQUAUHTLI 3 10 4 11 5 12 6 13 7 1 8 2 9 3 10 4 11 5 12 G 13 m 1 (HI 2 9 3 10 4 11 5 12 G 13 7 1 S 2 9 3 10 4 11 5 12 G 13 7 1 8 2 9 3 10
Ollin 4 11 5 12 6 13 7 1 8 2 9 3 10 4 11 5 12 G 13 7 1 8 2 9 3 10 4 11 5 12 G 13 7 1 8 2 9 3 10 4 11 5 12 G 13 7 1 8 2 9 3 10 4 11
Tecpatl 10 4 11 5 12 6 13 7 1 8 2 9 3 10 4 11 5 12 G 13 7 1 S 2 9 3 10 4 12 7 1 2 9 3 10 4 11 5 12
5 12 6 13 7 1 8 2 9 3 05 6 13 8
Quiahuitl 6 13 7 1 8 2 9 3 10 4 11 5 12 6 13 7 1 8 2 9 3 10 4 11 5 12 G 13 7 1 8 2 9 3 10 4 11 5 12 6 13 7 1 8 2 9 3 10 4 11 5 12 6 13
XOCHITL 7 1 8 2 9 3 10 4 11 5 12 6 13 7 1 8 2 9 3 10 4 11 5 12 6 13 7 1 8 2 9 3 10 4 11 5 12 G 13 7 1 8 2 9 3 10 4 11 5 12 G 13 7 1
Cipactli 10. 4 11 5 12 6 13 7 1 8 2 9 3 10 4 11 5 12 G 13 7 1 m 2 9 3 10 4 11 5 12 6 13 7 1 8 2
Ehecatl 11 .512 6 13 7 1 8 2 9 3 10 4 11 ft
12 G 13 7 1 8 2 9 3 104 11 5 12 G 13 7 1
8 2 9 3
Calli 12 6 13 7 1 8 2 9 3 10 4 11 5 12 6 13 7 1 8 2 9 3 10 4 115 12 G 13 7 1 •8 2
9 3 10 4
Cuetzpalin 13 7 1 8 2 9 3 10 4 11 5 12 G 13 7 1 8 2 9 3 10 4 11 5 12G 13 7 1 8 2 9 10
3 4 11 5
Coatl 1 8 2 9 3 10 4 11 5 12 6 13 7 1 8 2 9 3 10 4 11 5 12 6 137 m 8 2 9 3 10 4
11 5 12 G
Miquiztli 11 5 12 G 13 7 1 8 2 9 3 10 4 11 5 12 G 13 7
Mazatl 12 G 13 7 1 8 2 10 9 3 4 11 5 12 013 ( 1 S
TABLE II
Complete list of the Mexican years, in the order in which they are recorded in the Codex. The years included in the first five columns
occur on the obverse of the Codex; those on column VI on its reverse.
I II III IV V VI
T3
occurs in this as well as in the Vienna Codex, will enable It is scarcely necessary to emphasize how strongly the
the reader to verify the conspicuous frequency, in both prominence of this date, in both Codices, supports the view
Codices, of the date I Acatl, i Cipactli. advanced by Boturini in 1745, and demonstrated by me
TABLE III
Showing the number of times each of the 52 years of the Mexican calendar cycle occurs in the Codex and in the Vienna Codex. The asterisks
designate the years which occur the same number of times in both Codices.1
In In In
In In In
In In Calli Vienna Tochtli Vienna
Acatl Vienna Tecpatl Vienna Codex Codex
Codex Codex Codex Codex
Codex Codex
11 a it it a 11 2
11 ti 6 O 3 6 6
6 3* 3* 6 3 4
ii 11 11 a
7
a u 22 7
11 ti
4 7 5 2 7 3 O
4 s
11 11 it 11
it ll
2 n a 8 2
8 8 8 I 5 8 3 5 5
(( it a 11 a it 11
n I* 2 9 2 O 9 O IO
9 I* 9 4
it 11 a it a a
ll ll 2* 10 8 10 O* 0*
10 I 3 10 2* 5
11 11 ii ti it 11 ti it
11 I* 1* 11 0 I 11 2 O 11 I 2
11 11 11 it
ti it 11 11
12 2 O 12 2 O
12 3* 3* 12 7 3
11 ti a 11
13
a ii
1* I* 13 11 11 2 I 13 O* 0* 13 2 l6
1 The year-signs which do not occur in the Codex are : Those which do not occur in the Vienna Codex are:
4 Acatl 3 Tochtli 3 Tecpatl 13 Calli
11 Tecpatl 4 Tochtli 4 Calli 7 Tochtli
1 Calli 5 Tochtli 9 Calli 10 Tochtli
3 Calli 9 Tochtli 11 Calli 12 Tochtli
6 Calli 10 Tochtli 12 Calli
1 Tochtli 13 Calli
The two year-signs omitted in both Codices alike are io Tochtli and 13 Calli.
14
.
in 1894, that the Ancient Mexicans associated the begin¬ Cipactli, as transmitted by Sahagun and Duran. The
ning of their solar year with the vernal equinox.1 The fact latter (Historia, Vol. I, pp. 321, 333) relates that the
that, in the calendar cycle current at the time of the Con¬ Mexican rulers were always “ crowned ” on a Cipactli
quest, the day Cipactli coincided with the vernal equinox day, which was the first of the month. This combina¬
and ruled the year and all its “ months ” once every four tion could only occur, every four years, in a cycle con¬
years, may explain, in part, the importance of the sign stituted like that shown in my reconstruction, Table I.
.
ticularly associated with one element, one cardinal point tion, or division connected, in some way or other, with
and a single color. the dates recorded.
Owing to the all-pervading quadruplicate division of the My investigations lead me, indeed, to strongly suspect
cosmos and of the state, it is evident that cursive refer¬ that, as the application of the quadruplicate division to
ences could be made to each celestial or terrestrial quarter time was but one feature of the all-pervading system, the
by means of their respective colors. elemental signs themselves, with variations or modifica¬
It is therefore reasonable to suppose that the colors of tions, may have also been used to designate the four celes¬
the numerals convey an indication of the quarter, direc¬ tial or terrestrial quarters.
TABLE IV
Showing the number of times that each day-sign is repeated in the Codex.1
Cuetzpalin = Lizard
Ozomatli = Monkey
Cipactli = Alligator
Miquiztli = Death
Xochitl = Flower
Quauhtli = Eagle
Quiahuitl = Rain
Tochtli = Rabbit
Cozcaquauhtli =
Ehecatl = Wind
Coatl = Serpent
Malinalli = Tree
Tecpatl = Flint
Ocelotl = Tiger
h/j
Ollin = Motion
Mazatl = Deer
0
Calli = House
Acatl = Cane
Atl = Water
Q
Vulture
jl
Moss
C
3
1. 2 2 8 3 2 3 11 3 19 4 4 6 2 2 4 7
2 ..... . 4 3 3 s 4 2 2 6 3 2 2
3 3 2 7 s 5 4
3. 3 I 2 4 19 2 4 4 2 I 2
4 S 3 3 2 2 . .
4. 2
9 2 I s 4 4 2 7 4 4 3 7 5 s 6 I 4 3
5. 4 s 2 5 I 4 2 2 I 2 I 2
9 3 s 4 s
6. 8 2
3 2 I 2 I 2 3 4 4 5 3 9 s I 2
7. 7 2 s I 7 I 9 21 3 s I s II 4 I 2 2 2 s s
8. I s 2 7 2 I 2 2 l6 I 2 4 3 29 3 3 I I I
9. 1 2 3 2 TO I 2 8 6 ji6 9 2 6 5 4 I 7 6
10. 13 3 3 I 1 3 3 TO 6 6 3 s 3 2 I 4 2 I 2 6
11. 3 I 2 2 I 2 8 I I I 4 2 2 r 7 I I I
12 ..... . 6 2 4 I I 2 3 I 7 9 2 s I 2 2 3 3 2 3
13. 2 I 4 2 2 3 2 I I 2 2 I 6 4 3
1 The 13 numerals in the first column connect with the 20 day-signs, the names of which, in their order of succession, are printed at the tops of their
respective columns. Thus the number 2 printed at the top of the Acatl column, indicates that the day 1 Acatl occurs twice in the Codex. The
Mexican day-cycle consisted of 13x20 = 260 days, each of the 20 days being repeated 13 times, each time with a different numeral.
xochitl = 5 Flower, Chicomexochitl = 7 Flower, “ Cuatro of such strange appellations as “nine deer,” “ two monkey,”
Venados ” = 4 Deer (Chiapas) ; Chiconquiaco = 7 Rain these being . . . the days of the year. . . .” 2
(Hidalgo) ; Ometochco = 2 Rabbit, Nauhcalpan = 4 Dr. Brinton states that, amongst the Cakchiquels, each
House (Mexico) ; Chiconquauhtla =: 7 Eagle? (Puebla) ; individual bore through life the name of the day of his
Chicomocelo = 7 Ocelot], Chiconcuac = 7 Rain or Eagle? birth. The Mexican ceremonial system of re-naming
(Morelos). children and adults appears, however, to indicate that
A striking feature of the present Codex, and one which each assignment to a class, involving a change of occupa¬
opens fresh lines of research, is the prevalent association tion, was accompanied by a corresponding change of name
of individuals with day-symbols. or title.
In a limited number of cases the personages depicted The number of the divisions of the Mexican common¬
are also accompanied by a composite sign which ex¬ wealth was identical with that of the 20 day-symbols and
presses a name or title in picture-writing. the avowed purpose of the calendar was the regulation of
Remarkable illustrations of the latter method are to be all communal life.
found on pp. 6 and 7 and between pp. 54 and 68. There exists historical evidence showing that, in An¬
It is noteworthy that, whereas many persons figure in cient Mexico, individuals bore day-names as appellations.
association with day-signs only, or with both day-signs The existence of localities bearing the day-names of an
and individual names, there is a lack of instances in which, . obsolete Calendar system, appears to be a survival of
as in manuscripts painted after the Conquest, persons are ancient conditions.
designated by individual name signs only. The numerous instances of individuals and localities
The association of day-symbols with individuals in the associated with day-signs, contained in the present Codex,
Codex strongly corroborates my view that the twenty constitute a mass of fresh evidence which tends towards
symbols were not merely names of years and days, but also establishing the conclusion that, at one time, a numerical
designated the gentes or subdivisions of the Mexican com¬ classification prevailed throughout Ancient Mexico, and
monwealth.1 It would therefore appear that the Mexican that each gens, its chieftain and its place of residence,
mode of designating individuals was similar to that of the were associated with one of the twenty day-symbols, a
Cakchiquels, of whom the late Daniel G. Brinton wrote : number, and a date, according to an all-pervading system
“ . . . each person bore two names ; the first, his individual or scheme. Whether this conclusion be accepted or not,
name, the second that of his . . . family or lineage. . . .” the unexplained fact remains that the present Codex
There is a frequent recurrence in the Cakchiquel annals exhibits:
1. Day-signs combined with year-signs, which constitute
exact dates according to the native calendar;
1 See The Fundamental Principles of Old and New World Civil¬
izations, Peabody Museum Papers, Vol. II, 1901, pp. 253 and 242,
where the method of changing the names of children is discussed. Annals of the Cakchiquels, Philadelphia, 1885, Preface, p. 32.
2. Day-signs combined with sign-groups expressing The present Codex acquaints us with series of events in
names of localities; the lives of several personages, and shows us the great
3. Day-signs associated with individuals, sometimes variety of costume and insignia they adopted as they rose
alone, sometimes accompanied by a sign-group, expressing in rank or performed ceremonial rites.
an additional personal name or title. It was only after a prolonged course of close study that
While reflection shows what a wealth of meaning could I detected the existence of threads of individual history
have been conveyed by means of the day and year signs in the Codex and was able to follow them through the
and the elemental colors, it should also be borne in mind intricacies of the winding and crowded text on its obverse.
that the costume and insignia and mode of painting the When I reached the reverse my work became compara¬
face and body clearly revealed not only the age, rank, tively easy, owing to the fact that the pictures on this side
gens, and residence of each individual, but also his are larger in size and fewer in number, and that the text
occupation for the time being. presents a single line of narrative.1
As different garments, insignia, and colors were worn The limits of the present introduction impose the
during each of the twenty festivals of the year and on necessity of describing the contents of the Codex in as
ceremonial occasions, it is obvious that an Ancient Mexi¬ brief and clear a manner as possible. I shall therefore
can could discern even the period of time associated with first introduce the reader to the most easy and instructive
the actions of the persons figured in the Codex. portion of the Codex and give him an opportunity of
Once recognized, the importance of personal decoration, familiarizing himself with its peculiarities by merely point¬
as a means of conveying rank, age, gens, sub-gens, and the ing out the main personages, etc., as they appear and re¬
performance of some action or ritual pertaining to com¬ appear on the painted pages. It is fortunate that the
munal and religious life, explains not only the extreme following narrative, which can be easily followed, con¬
care with which the native artists painted each detail of stitutes at the same time the most important portion of
costume, but also the historical records that “ Montezuma the Codex.
wore a different costume every day.”
dead individual in front of the Temple of Death on mounted by a flint knife and four tassels, above a red
page 44. scalloped disc displaying five white circles. This staff
At the bottom of column 51, Eight-Deer and his com¬ and a pointed arrow stand on the curious mat, which
panion Twelve-Ollin are found together again, both armed frequently figures in connection with ceremonial rites.
with spears and spear-throwers. The names of four towns The above temple, seen in profile, with the same staff
follow. On a fifth hieroglyph Eight-Deer is seated. On and arrow group, recurs on page 68.
page 52, column 1, he is again represented in the same Further representations of the planted staff, which is also
position, which denotes rulership. In column 2, armed met with in the Bodleian Codex (for instance, on page 6),
with a lance, spear, and shields, and wearing a red tunic, occurs on pages 15 (associated with another kind of cere¬
Eight-Deer is receiving the homage of a man, designated monial staff and the apparatus for fire-making), 17, 18,
as Four-Ocelot, who is burning incense and holding a 19, and 22 (in front of temples), and 47, where it appears
sacrificial bird aloft. to be used for the phonetic value of its name ; or possibly,
Beneath this is a remarkable group representing Eight- as a symbol of the god Macuilxochitl, Five-Flower.
Deer, divested of military insignia, undergoing the rite of The present Codex contains many representations of
having his nostril pierced by a priest, in order to enable men, invariably belonging to the priestly caste, who carry
him to assume the mark of chieftainship, the yaca-xiuitl the singular staff described above. (See pages 1, 2, 13,
or “ nose-turquoise,” which we find him wearing in all 14, 15, 18, 19, 21, 23, 24, 31, 37, 39, 68.)
subsequent pictures.1 On page 53, column 1, his tur¬ The evident importance of the staff-symbol, its frequent
quoise ornament is a contrast to the yacameztli or “ nose- association with an arrow, and the number of instances in
crescent” worn by the chief Four-Ocelot, with whom he which both appear to be associated with active prepara¬
is again conferring peaceably. At the bottom of column tion for warfare, suggest that, like the challenge-staffs
4 he is pictured as having again resumed his war accoutre¬ described in the drama of Rabinal-Achi, which were
ment. Traces of an effaced hieroglyph are visible under planted at the border of an enemy’s territory as a declara¬
this figure, and reveal that in this, as in other instances, tion of war, and the arrow held downwards, which con¬
the artist committed and rectified an error. stituted the Mexican declaration of hostilities, the above
The group in the upper half of column 4 is of particular staff and the arrow may have been carried and planted as
interest. It represents a temple, with a square altar stand¬ symbols of defiance, victory, or established conquest.
ing at the summit of the flight of steps, and a fringed Immediately following the group consisting of the staff
drapery suspended across the temple door. Alongside is and arrow planted in front of the temple (on page 53),
a symbolic group consisting of a ceremonial staff, sur- we find (on page 54) the familiar figures of Twelve-Ollin,
Tiger’s Head, and Eight-Deer seated and entering into an
25
buried. On page 82 the memorial rite of presenting gar¬ possibly that which entered the victim’s heart, and the
lands and the drink of life to the effigy is represented. The other showing the cremation of the skull and bones of
personage offering the blue bowl and stirring its contents is the victim. Although these ceremonies form the natural
remarkable by the singular richness of his costume. The conclusion to the episode depicted, the Codex is, as I
final cremation of the skull and bones of the dead lord fig¬ have stated before, unfinished, its last page being only
ures beneath two hieroglyphs of localities and the year- partly colored.
date Ten Calli, or a. d. 1489. Let us now examine page 26, on which the first repre¬
On page 83, we see Eight-Deer continuing his victori¬ sentations of Eight-Deer and of his comrade Twelve-Ollin,
ous career and holding a prisoner named Four-Wind. occur. The fact that one of his two pictures on this page
The dates of two consecutive years, Eleven Calli and represents him without and the other with a beard and
Twelve Tochtli (1477 and 1478) are inscribed on this nose-turquoise, reveals that references were made to two
page, as well as two local hieroglyphs. The so-called periods of his life in the text which was probably recited
gladiatorial combat which took place at the annual festival by the poet. This view is corroborated by the circum¬
Tlacaxipehualiztli is likewise represented by the weeping stance that in column 3 Eight-Deer figures for the only
prisoner attached by a cord to the hollow centre of a time in association with a woman named Twelve-Serpent,
circular stone, who is being attacked by two warriors who wears the serpent insignia of a Cihuacoatl, is seated
wearing ocelot masks. One of the latter is designated as opposite to him in a tecpan, or house of government, and
Eight-Deer, who apparently officiated in this ceremony. offers him a drinking vessel. The date Thirteen-Serpent
On page 84 the same prisoner, clothed in the insignia is placed between them. At the top of column x, in
of Xipetotec, is seen attached to a peculiar form of another tecpan, a woman named Nine-Eagle is seated on
scaffolding. His heart is pierced by a spear, apparently the stool of chieftainship opposite to a chieftain named
thrown by the personage who wears a death’s mask, and Five-Cipactli. The tecpan depicted at the bottom of the
is depicted at the bottom of the preceding page. The page is occupied solely by a chieftainess named Eleven-
note in European script also connects this sacrifice with Water.
the festival Tlacaxipehualiztli. It is interesting to note It is a remarkable fact that, of the twelve individuals
here that, according to the Codex Telleriano-Remensis, represented on page 26, nine are repeated together, in a
page 24, this mode of killing the victim was adopted for group, on pages 42 and 43, as well as the year-dates Six
the first time by Montezuma, in 1506. The present Tecpatl = 1472, Seven Calli = 1473, and Ten Calli = 1489,
Codex apparently yields testimony that this rite was per¬ in the same sequence.
formed in the year Twelve Tochtli (1478), after a victory As pages 42 and 43 immediately precede the consecutive
gained by Eight-Deer. The book closes with two groups, history of Eight Deer’s life, which begins on page 44 of
one representing the immolation of a bird and the burn¬ the reverse, and the persons enumerated on these as well
ing of certain ceremonial offerings and of an arrow, as on page 26 are intimately associated with him at differ-
ent periods of his career, it would seem as though a re¬ sition, customs, costume, and face-painting of the women
hearsal of the dramatis personae of the history of conquest of Ancient Mexico. What is more, it fully corrobo¬
about to be recited began on page 42. rates the documentary records concerning the existence
It is a remarkable feature of the present Codex that, of gyneocracies and actually pictures chieftainesses en¬
whereas two women only are pictured on its reverse, its gaged in warfare, or parleying and entering into negotia¬
first forty-four pages contain no less than one hundred tions with war-chiefs, or else sharing with men, on terms
and seventy-six representations of women, nearly all of of equality, such functions as those of high-priest or head-
whom appear to pertain to the ruling class and to be fill¬ chief.1
ing responsible positions, on an equality with men. There Returning to page 1 of the Codex I shall now enumerate,
is no native manuscript in existence which affords so much as an aid in its examination, the persons of prominence on
valuable material as the present one for the study of the po¬ this and the following pages.
yellow, red, and black. He figures first on the bottom wears the insignia of the rain god, and another (Five-
of page 1, in the act of issuing from a cosmical symbol. Flower) blows a conch-shell. While the day-sign Eight-
Behind him stands a priest named Twelve-Cipactli, who Ehecatl figures in the middle of page 3 and in column 1,
carries a staff in his hand, and a bundle of staffs on his page 4, it is only in column 1, page 5, that it appears again
back. in combination with the bird-man. The latter apparently
Eight-Ehecatl’s next picture shows him on a symbol of figures in front of the temple at the bottom of the page,
water with one foot concealed in a central sign. Followed and in column 2, where the descending rain-god pours
by Eleven-Xochitl, who carries a staff, he receives the water over his seated figure. We next see him, in festive
homage of four individuals who advance towards him, re¬ array, seated opposite to a woman of equal rank. A dec¬
spectively carrying a lighted torch, a sacrificial bird, and orated bowl stands between them, and behind Eight-
ceremonial garments. At the top of the page he figures Ehecatl is a temple on a mountain combined with an
again on the summit of a mountain, on which a monkey Ozomatli or monkey.
and other signs are painted. He is followed by Twelve-
Cipactli, bearing a ceremonial staff, and is receiving the 1 For documentary evidence concerning the existence of gyne¬
ocracies in Ancient Mexico, see pages 194 and 60, The Fundamental
homage of four priests, the foremost of which, evidently a
Principles of Old and New World Civilizations. In a monograph,
neophyte, is designated as One-Acatl and carries a bundle in course of preparation, I shall present a study of Women in
of wood. On page 2 Eight-Ehecatl, with eagle insignia, Ancient Mexico, with special reference to the present Codex.
The next and final picture of Eight-Ehecatl represents The female captive, Nine-Ozomatli, apparently recurs
him with a hollow sunken mouth, the conventional method on page 4, column 3, receiving the homage of a man hold¬
employed to denote old age. He is seated in a temple ing a banner, and designated as Ten-Death. She next
on the “ monkey-mountain ” with which he has been asso¬ appears in elaborate garb, wearing the symbol of death,
ciated throughout. The six elaborately costumed and a skull, as a helmet, and accompanied by two composite
painted women behind him are particularly noteworthy, glyphs, one partly formed by a skull, the other by a bird
and exhibit different seated postures, probably indicative combined with a spindle. She figures again with the
of age, tribe, or rank. same costume and glyphs on page 10 at the top of
The interest of this portion of the text centres on page 3, column 2.
where an animated warfare takes place, in which women The limits of the present introduction forbid my enter¬
take a prominent part. In column 1, a woman stand¬ ing into a discussion of other interesting portions of the
ing on a mountain is armed with shield and darts and text, which, beginning on page 1, appears to end with the
holds an atlatl or spear-thrower. Beneath her a female continuous line on page 11.
warrior, named Nine-Ozomatli, is being seized by her The figures on the remainder of page 11 and on pages
victor, whose body is painted with diagonal stripes of 12 and 13 differ in size from the preceding ones, and the
color, — a tribal fashion which is frequently represented in text now introduces us to a different set of persons and
this and the Vienna Codex. At the bottom of column 2 names. The continuous line on page 33 appears to mark
a woman leads a striped captive by a cord bound around the end of the text, which begins on page n.
his arm.1 A remarkable consecutive history, upon the representa¬
The seizure of two striped prisoners by warriors in Mexi¬ tion of which the artist expended his utmost skill and
can costume is depicted above, and at the top of column 2 labor, is comprised between pages 11 and 22.
the sacrifice of a striped captive is represented, in com¬ A few bare indications will suffice, for the present, to
bination with the hieroglyphic names of two localities. guide and aid the reader.
3°
The flat-roofed temple depicted on page 18 is repeated sisting of seven priests and a priestess proceeds along the
here, and crowns a pyramidal structure situated on the flat summit of the mountain. Next to the tecpan stand
mountain. A woman stands in front of it under the sign two staff-bearers, facing each other.
One Death. A small symbolical vessel, containing water The scene thus depicted recalls the following passage
and a flint knife, is on the steps of the temple. The jar, from the Annals of the Cakchiquels : “ Immediately they
decorated with the emblem of the rain-god, which figures gave him, as their chief, the signs of royalty. They seated
in the water ritual on page 17, rests at the base of the him on the seat and royal throne. They washed him in
temple stairs. A path, with painted footsteps upon it, the bath, the painted vessel. They clothed him with the
issues from the base of the temple, and on it advances robe, the girdle, and green ornaments. He received the
a procession headed by a priest bearing a lighted torch, colors, the yellow stone, the paint, the red earth, and
followed by another blowing a conch-shell trumpet. The thus he obtained the signs of royalty from the other
principal figure in the procession is, however, a priest, families and tribes, as said our ancestors, oh, my chil¬
who carries a woman on his back by means of a red and dren ” (page in). Page 20 commences with the pic¬
white burden-strap which passes around his forehead. It ture of the lord Twelve-Wind and the lady Three-Flint,
was thus that, in Ancient Mexico, a bride was conveyed to both occuping seats of honor, their equality of rank being
the house of the bridegroom, usually by a stalwart matron. thus indicated.
A priest carrying a ceremonial garment advances towards The lady wears the serpent head-dress denoting her
this singular group, which is also faced by two seated rank of Cihuacoatl or Woman-Serpent. The greater part
priests holding offerings. of the page' is taken up with representations of tribal
The whole procession wends towards an arch, painted plants and of a combat in which the strange people
with variegated diagonal bands of color. Under this painted with diagonal stripes appear to be the aggressive
kneel the lord Twelve-Wind and the lady Three-Flint, party. One of them, designated as Eight-Ollin, lies pros¬
while streams of water are poured upon them from above trate, and is taken prisoner by Nine-Wind, who wears a
by two priestesses holding painted bowls. The high Tecpatl helmet. A striped warrior also makes a prisoner
priestess One-Eagle again presides over this rite, hold¬ designated Four-House, who was evidently put to death,
ing between her hands a curious curved symbol, resem¬ as his mummy appears immediately beneath him. The
bling the hieroglyph of the town of Colhuacan. sign of the first prisoner, Eight-Ollin, is painted under
Directly above the two priestesses is a tecpan, in the the second mummy. The old priests Ten-Malinalli and
doorway of which, partly concealed by a colored drapery, Ten-Rain, whom we have seen together on previous occa¬
the lord and lady are visible.1 A solemn procession con- sions (pages 14, 15, and 17, etc.), appear close to the
mummied dead. A composite sign of speech, issuing
1 Cf. similar representations in the Vatican Codex I and the
Borgian Codex. These are discussed in The Fundamental Prin¬ from Ten-Rain’s mouth, indicates that he sang, on this
ciples, etc., on page 55. occasion, the song of Seven-Flower. On page 21 he
31
■ ■■**■ • % &&&<&. •■ • ■*■*!>*■
. . _
performs a ritual dance, carrying a prisoner’s head by its beautiful language and flowery verse, and was recited from
hair. On this page the sign Four Cipactli is prominent memory by the native bards on festive occasions.
(cf. page 19, section i), and the lord Twelve-Wind ap¬ A fresh theme, also dated One Acatl, One Cipactli, the
pears again in priestly garb, bearing a miniature house on native New Year’s Day, seems to begin on page 22, and
his back. He is escorted by Three-Flint, who, as on to recount the story of another Woman-Serpent named
pages 18 and 19, section 1, is under the guise of a priest. One-Serpent. She is represented as kneeling by flowing
These two personages recur on page 22 for the last time, water, and as seated on a flat pyramid temple on the sum¬
in which case it is Three-Flint who carries the miniature mit of a mountain opposite to a similar structure on which
house. Here ends all record of the sign Three-Flint, a chieftain rests. Deep water containing shells, in what
which repeatedly occurs between pages 14 and 18, in appears to be a tank or reservoir, lies between the two
association with a woman whose history is linked to that pyramids, and the pictures may possibly record the build¬
of the lord Five-Flower. On pages 18 and 19, section 1, ing of some ancient water-works.
it is a priest who is designated as Three-Flint, and is asso¬ Page 22 and those which follow, contain numerous
ciated with the lord Twelve-Wind. On pages 19 and 20, representations of male and female chiefs, standing or
Three-Flint becomes a woman again, and undergoes a seated opposite to each other, sometimes installed in
ceremonial rite with Twelve-Wind. On pages 21 and 22, tecpans and engaged in amicable negotiations. Terms
there are two instances where the sign Three-Flint of perfect equality appear to exist between the sexes. An
designates the priest again. exceptional instance is that of a woman who, on page 24,
Whether, in the case of the male and female individuals is represented as kneeling in the tecpan, whereas the man
named Three-Flint, we have to deal with distinct per¬ to whom she is speaking is seated. The arrow sticking in
sonalities or the story of a disguise or metamorphosis, the corner of the building above her indicates conquest,
such as the native sorcerers were supposed to be able to and her attitude may show that she was a supplicant and
accomplish, it is impossible to surmise. At the same time belonged to a conquered tribe. Two other exceptional
it is evident that the text presents a history which is full representations of kneeling women and seated men occur
of dramatic and romantic possibilities. It reveals that on page 41.
the lady Three-Flint attained the rank of Cihuacoatl, Throughout the Codex the attitudes of the hands and
and became the consort of two lords, and that her mar¬ fingers appear to be extremely expressive, and it is regret¬
riage, lying-in, and installation as Woman-Serpent were table that our ignorance of Ancient Mexican sign language
attended by the most solemn and elaborate ceremonials, debars us from interpreting the gestures which, in many
in which priests and priestesses officiated. cases, appear to express numerals and forms of agree¬
It may safely be assumed that this inspiring history, the ment.
outlines of which were painted in picture and picture¬ Page 25 contains particularly interesting pictures of a
writing with so much skill and care, was also clothed in man named Two-Water and a woman Ten-Cipactli, who
32
WBBS&i
also appear to have been interested in water. They first rain-god. Special attention is called to the singular red
stand on the opposite banks of a sheet of water in lively and white head-dress worn by the two men and one of the
discussion. Subsequently they may be seen seated in women who stand in front of the temple on page 33. Two
opposite temples with water-vessels in front of them. other examples of the same remarkable head-dress occur
In the centre of page 25, seated in a tecpan with a on pages 34 and 35.
chieftain, we see a woman, who also figures at the top of The sign Seven Rain, associated with the personage in
page 24 and is designated as One-Vulture. In both the temple on page 33, occurs on page 14, where two priests,
cases her skirt displays the face of the rain-god, Tlaloc. respectively designated as Seven-Rain and One-Rain, stand
On page 26, as already stated, there is a summary of all of on a twin mountain. These persons recur together on
the persons who are represented again on pages 42 and 43 page 36, accompanied by Four and Seven-Serpent. The
and then figure in the consecutive history which occupies same group is repeated on page 37, where it advances along
the entire reverse of the Codex. a path. Four and Seven-Serpent are figured twice on the
On page 33 that part of the text which apparently begins same page. One and Seven-Rain appear once on page
on page 22 comes to a close, the page being divided by a 38 and twice on page 39, where their story ends, appar¬
continuous line. The next history is dated year One ently with their arrival at a triple mountain. An interest¬
Tecpatl, day One Tecpatl, and begins with the picture of ing group of four men and four women occupies page 40.
a personage designated as Seven-Rain, who stands in a On page 41 there are six men and two tecpans, each con¬
temple holding a staff surmounted by a hand with an taining a seated man and a kneeling woman. Page 42
uplifted finger. Three Yope symbols are on the roof of the introduces us again to the set of characters depicted on
temple, and the person in it wears the emblem of Xipe, page 26, amongst whom is the lord Eight-Deer, whose his¬
the flayed skin of a human victim and the mask of the tory fills the reverse of the Codex.
33
Tlatelolco was subdued and destroyed by the Mexicans
It is, of course, impossible to present, within the limit
who also conquered the Matlaltzincos.
of an introduction, the result of my attempts to identify
The aggressive policy of Tizoc and Ahuizotl is well
the local and personal names contained in the Codex by
known_the latter extended his conquests as far south as
carefully comparing them with all of those printed in other
Tehuantepec, and imposed heavy tributes upon the coast
native manuscripts or mentioned in historical documents.
tribes. The titles of some of the leaders of this memor¬
Postponing the publication of my investigations in these
able campaign are recorded, but not their names. Friar
lines, which are as yet far from being finished, I shall
Duran tells us that the Mexican historical records are so
merely state that I shall publish at intervals, and in the same
incomplete that it was even a matter of doubt whether
form as the present introduction, short papers embodying
the Tetzcocan ruler Neza-Ualpilli had ever led his forces
the results of my observations and analysis of the contents
in person, notwithstanding the fact that a picture ex¬
of this and the Vienna and other Codices. In conclu¬
isted which represented him fully equipped and holding
sion, I will now refer to certain passages of Friar Diego
a prisoner by the forelock. A scroll beneath displayed
Duran’s Historia, because they convey valuable information
this inscription: “ Here, in the war of Huexotzinco,
concerning the conditions existing in Mexico about the
Nezahualpilli took this captain prisoner” (Vol. II,
period dealt with in the Codex, i. e. 1468—1519. The friar
p. 398). The native historian Ixtlilxochitl also relates
relates that, just as mediaeval Spanish literature abounds
that at this period (a. d. 1500), “the Mexican warriors
with descriptions of the military exploits of its national
were so eager to subjugate lands and people that they
heroes, such as the Cid and Count Fernan Gonzales, so Mex¬
considered themselves as idle and cowardly if they were
ican history, of the time of Montezuma I, rehearsed and
not engaged in some campaign or conquest ” (Chap.
described the great, valiant warriors who, with excessive
exertion and difficulties, had conquered, subjugated, and LXV.).
Speaking of the conquest of the Huaxteca, in which the
exacted tribute from a number of towns, cities, and prov¬
warriors Xochiquetzalli and Acapioltzin distinguished them¬
inces, thereby increasing the wealth and power of Mexico
selves, the native historian states, that besides relating in
and causing its name to be feared and reverenced. (Vol.
their songs the conquests and adventures of the leader,
II, p. 208).
The dominion of Mexico was, indeed, considerably ex¬ the poets of that time praised not only his heroic deeds
tended during the reign of Montezuma I, which, according but also those of his brothers.
to Duran, began in 1440. The Chaleos and Cuetlaxtecas Under the reign of Montezuma II, various wars of
were conquered, and just before his death, which, according conquest were also waged, but the names and titles of
to various writers, occurred in 1469 or 1471, he was lead¬ their successful leaders have not been handed down to us.
ing a campaign against the province of Tlatlauhquitepec. It may yet be possible to positively identify Eight-Deer
Under his successor, Axayacatzin, who died in 1481, re¬ and other heroes whose exploits are commemorated in the
bellion and warfare were general. After a hard struggle present Codex, and to precisely localize the events which
34
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