Tovar Codex, Chimalpopoca, 3rd Tlatoani, Aztec Ruler

Chimalpopoca, holding a spear or scepter, standing on a reed mat and next to a basket-work throne. Above him is a smoking shield. Chimalpopoca (1417E??1427) was the third Emperor of Tenochtitlan. On the day of Chimalpopoca's coronation in 1417 his brother Tlacaelel I was named high priest. From this point on the ecclesiastical and governmental offices among the Aztecs were separate. An expeditionary force from Azcapotzalco invaded Tenochtitlan, took Chimalpopoca prisoner and carried him to Azcapotzalco. There he was exhibited in a cage and kept on starvation rations. He committed suicide, hanging himself from a beam with his belt. (Another account says he was strangled by his captors.) The Tovar Codex (16th century) contains detailed information about the rites and ceremonies of the Aztecs. The codex is illustrated with 51 full-page paintings in watercolor. Illustration taken from a 19th century transcript of Juan de Tovar's Historia de la benida de los yndios apoblar a Mexico (the Codex Tovar)

Picture No

12696094

Media ID

47671448

Size

4275px x 3260px (2.6MB)

Credit

LOC/Jay I. Kislak Collection/Science Source/Mary Evans