Tenochtitlan: Capital of the Aztec Empire

242 Pages·2012·2.37 MB·English

by  José Luis de Rojas

Tenochtitlan
Ancient Cities of the New World
University Press of florida
Florida A&M University, Tallahassee
Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton
Florida Gulf Coast University, Ft. Myers
Florida International University, Miami
Florida State University, Tallahassee
New College of Florida, Sarasota
University of Central Florida, Orlando
University of Florida, Gainesville
University of North Florida, Jacksonville
University of South Florida, Tampa
University of West Florida, Pensacola
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Tenochtitlan
Capital of the Aztec Empire
José lUis de roJas
Foreword by Michael E. Smith, Marilyn A. Masson, and John W. Janusek
University Press of Florida
Gainesville · Tallahassee · Tampa · Boca Raton
Pensacola · Orlando · Miami · Jacksonville · Ft. Myers · Sarasota
Copyright 2012 by José Luis de Rojas y Gutiérrez de Gandarilla
All rights reserved
Printed in the United States of America. This book is printed on Glatfelter
Natures Book, a paper certified under the standards of the Forestry
Stewardship Council (FSC). It is a recycled stock that contains 30 percent
post-consumer waste and is acid-free.
This book may be available in an electronic edition.
17 16 15 14 13 12 6 5 4 3 2 1
A record of cataloging-in-publication data is available from the Library of
Congress.
ISBN 978-0-8130-4220-6 (alk. paper)
The University Press of Florida is the scholarly publishing agency for the State
University System of Florida, comprising Florida A&M University, Florida
Atlantic University, Florida Gulf Coast University, Florida International Uni-
versity, Florida State University, New College of Florida, University of Central
Florida, University of Florida, University of North Florida, University of South
Florida, and University of West Florida.
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Contents
List of Figures vii
List of Text Boxes ix
List of Tables xi
Foreword xiii
1. Mesoamerica: A Constellation of Cities 1
2. The Mexicas’ Search for a Home 13
3. The Rise and Fall of the Mexica Capital 22
4. The Construction of a Metropolis 40
5. A Visit to Tenochtitlan 55
6. Supply and Distribution 85
7. The Activities of the Tenochca 113
8. The Life of the Tenochca 147
9. Tenochtitlan: Capital of an Empire 176
10. From Tenochtitlan to Mexico City 189
Glossary of Nahuatl Terms 195
References 199
Index 215
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Figures
1.1. The Basin of Mexico 8
1.2. The Tenochtitlan causeways 10
2.1. The exit from Aztlan in the Codex Boturini 15
2.2. The founding of Tenochtitlan in the Codex Mendoza 17
2.3. The pyramid of Tenayuca 20
3.1. Acamapichtli, Codex Mendoza 25
3.2. The Mexica lords in the Primeros Memoriales of Sahagún 28
3.3. The Mexica lords in the Florentine Codex 28
3.4. Conquests by Itzcoatl 31
3.5. Conquests by Motecuhzoma I 31
3.6. The Stone of Tizoc 33
3.7. The sun disk in the upper part of the Stone of Tizoc 33
3.8. Genealogy of the Aztec lords 38
4.1. Public works, Codex Mendoza 42
4.2. Map of Tenochtitlan by Hernán Cortés, sixteenth century 46
4.3. The calpulli of Tenochtitlan 48
5.1. The Great Temple of Tenochtitlan depicted by the Anonymous
Conqueror, sixteenth century 57
5.2. The sacred precinct of Tenochtitlan 57
5.3. The Calendar Stone 60
5.4. Coatlicue 60
5.5. Detail of the Stone of Tizoc 61
5.6. Coyolxauhqui 61
5.7. Reconstruction of the Great Temple of Tenochtitlan 63
5.8. The Palace of Motecuhzoma, Codex Mendoza 73
6.1. Tribute from Quautitlan, Codex Mendoza 89
viii · Figures
6.2. Bearers (tlameme), Codex Mendoza 105
7.1. A girl learning the art of weaving, Codex Mendoza 121
7.2. Metalworkers, Florentine Codex 125
7.3. Boys learning crafts, Codex Mendoza 125
7.4. The petlacalcatl, Codex Mendoza 136
8.1. Punishment of boys and girls, Codex Mendoza 153
8.2. A boy learning an office, Codex Mendoza 154
8.3. A girl learning her duty, Codex Mendoza 154
8.4. A small ballgame court at Cantona (Puebla) 172
8.5. Gods playing the ballgame, Codex Nuttall 172
8.6. The game of patolli, Florentine Codex 173
9.1. Extent of the Aztec Empire 177
9.2. Conquests of Axayacatl 178
9.3. The conquests of Motecuhzoma II 178
9.4. Tribute in maize 183
9.5. Tribute in amaranth 184
9.6. Tribute in chía 184
9.7. Tribute in beans 185
Text Boxes
5.1. The Templo Mayor Precinct 58
5.2. Francisco Javier Clavijero Describes the Templo Mayor 59
5.3. Fray Diego Durán Describes the Tzompantli 67
5.4. The Mexica Calendar 69
5.5. A Meal in the Moctezuma’s Palace 74
5.6. Hernán Cortés Describes the Tenochtitlan Market 79
6.1. Products Sold in the Market 95
7.1. Torquemada Describes the Weavers 122
7.2. The Skill of Metalworkers 126
7.3. The Structure of Mexica Administration 131
7.4. Funerary Ceremonies 139
8.1. A Wedding Day 160
8.2. The Months of the Xiuhpohualli (the Calendar of
365 Days) 166
9.1. Tribute from the Provinces 186