Tovar Codex, Moctezuma II, 9th Tlatoani, Last Aztec Ruler

Moctezuma II, holding a spear or scepter and standing on a reed mat and next to a basketwork throne, wearing a beard and an epaulette of quetzal feathers. Next to him is a crown. Moctezuma II (reign 1502-1520) was the ninth and final Aztec emperor. The crown is a sign of his sovereignty. The first contact between indigenous civilizations of Mesoamerica and Europeans took place during his reign, and he was killed when Cortces and his men fought to escape from the Aztec capital Tenochtitlan. During his reign the Aztec Empire reached its maximal size. Through warfare, he expanded the territory as far south as Xoconosco in Chiapas and the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, and incorporated the Zapotec and Yopi people into the empire. 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

12696102

Media ID

47670258

Size

4200px x 3245px (2.6MB)

Credit

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