Aztec Codices

by admin · February 21, 2025

The Aztec civilization had a rich cultural and artistic heritage.

The Aztecs did not have a formal writing system, they relied on oral storytelling and pictorial representations. These visual records, known as pictograms and logograms, provide valuable insights into Aztec history and traditions.

Many of these pictograms were documented both before and after the Spanish conquest.

During the colonial era, the Spaniards introduced the Latin script to the Nahuatl language. As a result, later codices combined written descriptions with pictorial elements. These codices remain essential for understanding Aztec society.

Codex Borbonicus

One of the most significant Aztec codices is the Codex Borbonicus. It was created by Aztec priests around the time of the Spanish conquest. This codex consists of a long sheet of amatl parchment, measuring 14.2 meters.

Initially, it contained only images, but Spanish annotations were added later.

The Codex Borbonicus is divided into three parts:

• The first section features a divinatory calendar with days and deities.
• The second section explains the Aztec 52-year cycle, listing the first days of each year.
• The final section describes various rituals and ceremonies.

Codex Mendoza

The Codex Mendoza was created in 1541 for Charles V, the Spanish king and Holy Roman Emperor. It contains four sections, each focusing on a different aspect of Aztec life:

• The first section details the history of the Aztecs, beginning with the founding of Tenochtitlan in 1325.
• The second section lists the city-states conquered by the Aztecs and the tributes they paid.
• The third section describes daily life and Aztec customs.
• The final section provides information about economic transactions and Spanish colonial assets.

Florentine Codex

The Florentine Codex is perhaps the most detailed account of Aztec life before the Spanish conquest.

This codex consists of 12 books and was compiled between 1540 and 1585 under the supervision of Franciscan friar Bernardino de Sahagún. It is based on original Aztec records that were later destroyed.

For a long time, only censored versions of the codex were available. A complete edition was finally published in 1979. Today, it remains one of the most valuable sources of information on pre-Hispanic Aztec society.

Codex Osuna

The Codex Osuna is a collection of seven documents created in 1565. It was used as evidence against Viceroy Luis de Velasco during an inquiry from 1563 to 1566.

The codex records complaints from indigenous people about unpaid labor. It highlights issues such as non-payment for construction work and domestic services. Initially, it was purely pictorial, but Nahuatl descriptions were later added and translated into Spanish.

The codex was named after Spanish nobleman Mariano Tellez Grion y Beaufort, the Duke of Osuna, who once owned it.

Codex Aubin

The Codex Aubin is an important historical record. It documents the history of the Aztecs from their migration from Aztlan to the Spanish conquest and early colonial era, covering events until 1607.

This codex consists of 81 leaves and was possibly compiled in 1576 under the supervision of Fray Diego Durán. However, the date and authorship remain debated. Some scholars regard it as a reliable historical account based on oral traditions.

Codex Magliabechiano

The Codex Magliabechiano focuses on religion and rituals. It was created in the mid-16th century and consists of 92 pages. The codex details various aspects of Aztec spiritual life, including:

• The sacred calendar
• Religious ceremonies and rites
• Aztec deities and their attributes
• Costumes and cosmological beliefs

Like many other codices, it was based on an earlier indigenous manuscript. It contains both pictographs and Spanish text.

Codex Borgia

The Codex Borgia is one of the few surviving pre-Hispanic codices. It is believed to have originated in present-day Puebla. Made of folded animal skins, it consists of 39 sheets.

This codex is a divinatory and ritual manuscript. It includes:

• Depictions of various gods and their rituals
• References to human sacrifices
• An astronomical narrative
• Aztec beliefs about marriage and day signs

It was named after Italian Cardinal Stefano Borgia, who once owned it. Later, it was acquired by the Vatican.

Codex Xolotl

The Codex Xolotl records the history of the Valley of Mexico, particularly Texcoco, a sister city of Tenochtitlan. It covers events from 1224, when the Chichimeca arrived under King Xolotl, up to the Tepanec War of 1427, which led to the rise of the Aztec Empire.

This codex consists of six amatl boards, each measuring 42 by 48 centimeters. The author is unknown. Despite this, the Codex Xolotl remains a key source of information on Aztec history, politics, and culture.

The Importance of Aztec Codices

Before the arrival of the Spanish, the Aztecs used pictograms to record knowledge. These visual records, combined with oral traditions, provided a means of preserving history.

During the colonial period, many codices were created with added Spanish text.

These documents are crucial in understanding Aztec culture, history, religion, and governance. Today, they remain an invaluable source of knowledge about one of the most fascinating civilizations in history.