Aztecs Collection (#4)

MS Hunter 242 f. 248r Picarus, or Pizarro, and war horse
617895 MS Hunter 242 f.248r Picarus, or Pizarro, and war horse, illustration from the from Historia de Tlaxcala by Diego Munoz Camargo (pen & ink on paper) by Mexican School

Costumes of the native Mexicans and Aztecs. Men wearing the Maxtlat belt and Tilmatli cloak knotted at the chest, women wearing Cucitl skirt and Huepilli camisole

Symbolic characters, numerals and figures of the Aztecs, Mexico. Number hieroglyphs, and symbols for day A, night B, midnight C, year D, century E, sky F, air G, earth H, water I, and flood L

Musical instruments of the Aztecs, including types of sacred drums (vertical Huehuetl and horizontal Teponaztli) and percussion instruments (Ajacaxtli rattle)

View of the Great Pyramid of Cholula, Mexico
View of the Great Pyramid of Cholula or Tlachihualtepetl of the Aztecs, Mexico. Handcoloured copperplate engraving by Verico from Giulio Ferrarios Ancient

Sculptures of the Aztecs. --Lintel at Lorillard (engraving)
655287 Sculptures of the Aztecs.--Lintel at Lorillard (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Sculptures of the Aztecs.--Lintel at Lorillard)

Aztec Warriors directing a caravan of porters on a Mexican Mountain Highway. Date: circa 1519

Montezuma II, the last King of the Aztecs (engraving)
971059 Montezuma II, the last King of the Aztecs (engraving) by American School, (19th century) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: Montezuma II, the last King of the Aztecs)

"Return to your homes. Lay down your arms"(colour litho)
969251 " Return to your homes. Lay down your arms" (colour litho) by Robinson, James Henry (1852-1922); Private Collection; (add.info.: " Return to your homes)

Aztec Ruins at Palenque, Mexico (engraving)
966811 Aztec Ruins at Palenque, Mexico (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Aztec Ruins at Palenque, Mexico)

Aztec Ruin in Yucatan (engraving)
966810 Aztec Ruin in Yucatan (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Aztec Ruin in Yucatan)

SPANISH SACRIFICED
Spanish conquistadors captured by the Aztecs are sacrificed in their customary way, cutting the heart out of the living body, to the glory of the gods Date: 1519

Priests of Tenochtitlan Sacrifice Victims to their Gods
Aztecs of Mexico- Priests of Tenochtitlan sacrifice victims to their gods Date: circa 1500

Human Sacrifices Thrown from Platform by Priests
Aztecs of Mexico- Priests at Tenochtitlan cut the heart from a still- living victim then fling the carcase from the platform Date: circa 1500

Ms Hunter 242 f. 317r The Spanish Conquest, from Historia de Tlaxcala
GUL232042 Ms Hunter 242 f.317r The Spanish Conquest, from Historia de Tlaxcala by Diego Munoz Camargo (pen & ink on paper) by Mexican School, (16th century); Glasgow University Library

MS Hunter 242 f. 246v, Cortes on Horseback, standing over the defeated Aztec King
615964 MS Hunter 242 f.246v, Cortes on Horseback, standing over the defeated Aztec King Moctezuma, illustration from the from Historia de Tlaxcala by Diego Munoz Camargo (pen & ink on paper)

Meeting of Hernando Cortes (1485-1547) and the Aztecs, illustration from a facsimile of a
CHT195200 Meeting of Hernando Cortes (1485-1547) and the Aztecs, illustration from a facsimile of a Mexican Indian picture history Lienzo de Tlaxcala of c.1550, 1892 (colour litho) by Mexican School

Aztec Pulque Deity blowing on a tube above a jar of pulque and men drinking pulque
CHT418491 Aztec Pulque Deity blowing on a tube above a jar of pulque and men drinking pulque, illustration from the Codex Magliabechiano (vellum) by Aztec; Private Collection; (add.info)

A wall of human skulls, Templo Mayor, Tenochtitlan (coloured engraving)
REV397904 A wall of human skulls, Templo Mayor, Tenochtitlan (coloured engraving) by Schley, Jakob van der (1715-79); Biblioteca Nacional de Mexico, Mexico; Dutch, out of copyright

Ms Hunter 242 f. 240v Franciscans burning temples, illustration from
GUL428352 Ms Hunter 242 f.240v Franciscans burning temples, illustration from Historia de Tlaxcala by Diego Munoz Camargo (pen & ink on paper) by Mexican School

Hernan Cortes, Spanish conquistador, receiving gifts from the Aztec Emperor Montezuma, Mexico, 1518-1519 (chromolitho)
2815905 Hernan Cortes, Spanish conquistador, receiving gifts from the Aztec Emperor Montezuma, Mexico, 1518-1519 (chromolitho) by French School

An Aztec ruin at Tuloom, in Yucatan (engraving)
655299 An Aztec ruin at Tuloom, in Yucatan (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: An Aztec ruin at Tuloom, in Yucatan)

Aztec Ruins at Tuloom (engraving)
655291 Aztec Ruins at Tuloom (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Aztec Ruins at Tuloom)

MS Hunter 242 f. 248v Picarus (Pizarro) presents Peru and Cortesius (Cortes) Nueva Espana
617896 MS Hunter 242 f.248v Picarus (Pizarro) presents Peru and Cortesius (Cortes) Nueva Espana, illustration from the from Historia de Tlaxcala by Diego Munoz Camargo (pen & ink on paper)

Head of Xilonen, the Goddess of Young Maize, Tenochtitlan, Mexico, 1450 / 1500 (basalt)
3964176 Head of Xilonen, the Goddess of Young Maize, Tenochtitlan, Mexico, 1450/1500 (basalt) by Aztec, (16th century); 32.4x20.3x12.1 cm; The Art Institute of Chicago, IL

Montezuma II, Aztec Emperor (engraving)
3647429 Montezuma II, Aztec Emperor (engraving) by German School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Montezuma II (c1460-1520), Aztec Emperor

Aztec pyramids and temples at Palenque (engraving)
2813367 Aztec pyramids and temples at Palenque (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Aztec pyramids and temples at Palenque)

Cortes receiving gifts from the Aztec emperor Montezuma on landing on the coast of Mexico
PNP344506 Cortes receiving gifts from the Aztec emperor Montezuma on landing on the coast of Mexico in 1519 (colour litho) by Spanish School; Private Collection; (add.info)

Cap 63 and Cap 64, illustrations from Historia de las Indias de Nueva Espana y islas
XCF324377 Cap 63 and Cap 64, illustrations from Historia de las Indias de Nueva Espana y islas de tierra firme, with plates by Jules Desportes, Mexico, 1867-80 (colour litho) by Duran

Cap 72 and Cap 73, illustrations from Historia de las Indias de Nueva Espana y islas
XCF324376 Cap 72 and Cap 73, illustrations from Historia de las Indias de Nueva Espana y islas de tierra firme, with plates by Jules Desportes, Mexico, 1867-80 (colour litho) by Duran

Ms Hunter 242 f. 256r Evangelical Battle, from Historia de Tlaxcala
GUL232044 Ms Hunter 242 f.256r Evangelical Battle, from Historia de Tlaxcala by Diego Munoz Camarago (pen & ink on paper) by Mexican School, (16th century); Glasgow University Library

Again and again they returned to the attack (colour litho)
969256 Again and again they returned to the attack (colour litho) by Robinson, James Henry (1852-1922); Private Collection; (add.info.: Again and again they returned to the attack)

Colossal Head carved in stone, in an Aztec ruin at Izamal, in Yucatan (engraving)
655300 Colossal Head carved in stone, in an Aztec ruin at Izamal, in Yucatan (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Colossal Head carved in stone)

Ritual Impersonator of the Deity Xipe Totec, possibly Central Veracruz
3964177 Ritual Impersonator of the Deity Xipe Totec, possibly Central Veracruz, 1450/1500 (ceramic & pigment) by Aztec, (15th century); height: 58.4 cm; The Art Institute of Chicago, IL

Ms Hunter 242 f. 257v and f. 258r, from Historia de Tlaxcala
3957941 Ms Hunter 242 f.257v and f.258r, from Historia de Tlaxcala by Diego Munoz Camargo (pen & ink on paper) by Mexican School, (16th century); Glasgow University Library

"You will deal with me, Malintzin, as you list"(colour litho)
969257 " You will deal with me, Malintzin, as you list" (colour litho) by Robinson, James Henry (1852-1922); Private Collection; (add.info.: " You will deal with me, Malintzin)

Hernan Cortes, Spanish conquistador, receiving gifts from the Aztec Emperor Montezuma, Mexico, 1518-1519 (chromolitho)
972265 Hernan Cortes, Spanish conquistador, receiving gifts from the Aztec Emperor Montezuma, Mexico, 1518-1519 (chromolitho) by French School

Aztec (or Toltec) Ruin in Central America (engraving)
966808 Aztec (or Toltec) Ruin in Central America (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Aztec (or Toltec) Ruin in Central America

Capture of the city of Mexico (engraving)
961626 Capture of the city of Mexico (engraving) by Chappel, Alonzo (1828-87) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: Capture of the city of Mexico by Cortez (1485-1547)

The Aztecs (b / w photo)
958693 The Aztecs (b/w photo) by American Photographer (19th century) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Aztecs)

MS Hunter 242, insert fol. 177-178 (pen & ink on paper)
3530944 MS Hunter 242, insert fol.177-178 (pen & ink on paper) by Mexican School, (16th century); Glasgow University Library

Aztecs sacrificing to the Sun (engraving)
663798 Aztecs sacrificing to the Sun (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Aztecs sacrificing to the Sun)

The Journey of Cortes to Tenochtitlan in 1521 (coloured engraving)
REV397908 The Journey of Cortes to Tenochtitlan in 1521 (coloured engraving) by German School, (17th century); Biblioteca Nacional de Mexico, Mexico; (add.info.: Hernan Cortes (1485-1547); ); German

Aztec musicians playing on Tlapanhuehuetls (colured engraving_
REV397903 Aztec musicians playing on Tlapanhuehuetls (colured engraving_ by Bonatti, D.K. (fl.1720-80); Biblioteca Nacional de Mexico

Entrance of Cortez into Mexico, pub. 1890 (colour litho)
2646285 Entrance of Cortez into Mexico, pub. 1890 (colour litho) by American School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: HernAan (Hernando) CortA©s (1485-1547)

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The Aztecs, a powerful Mesoamerican civilization, left behind a rich legacy that continues to captivate us today. Their culture and beliefs are beautifully depicted in the Codex Borgia, an ancient manuscript filled with intricate illustrations of their rituals and divinatory practices. One significant encounter between the Aztecs and the Spanish conquistador Hernan Cortes is portrayed in history when the cacique of Tabasco presented twenty indigenous people to him. This meeting marked the beginning of a tumultuous period for both parties. Aztec warriors were renowned for their bravery and skill on the battlefield. In 1521, they faced off against Cortes' forces during intense battles like that of Otumba. These warriors fought fiercely to defend their customs and way of life. Customs played a vital role in Aztec society, with sacrifice being an integral part of religious ceremonies. The depiction of human sacrifice sends shivers down our spines but also serves as a reminder of how different cultures perceive spirituality. An illustration showcases an Aztec apprentice warrior clad only in a loincloth carrying an atlatl (spear-thrower) along with oak darts tipped with stone points. This image gives us insight into their military training methods and weaponry. Mexico holds many remnants from this ancient civilization, including Teotihuacan's Temple of Quetzacoatal - an awe-inspiring structure that stands as a testament to their architectural prowess. Another prominent location was Tenochtitlan, which later became Mexico City; it served as the heartland for the mighty empire. Quetzalcoatl Snake is another symbol associated with Aztec mythology—a deity revered by many Mesoamerican civilizations due to its association with creation and wisdom—its presence can still be felt throughout Mexico City today. Hernan Cortes himself played a pivotal role in shaping Aztec history through his conquests.