The Evolution of the Codices Borgia, Azoyú & Vaticano The Evolution of the Codices Borgia, Azoyú & Vaticano By Christine Haddad ’07 and Lisa Lovallo ’07 Lafayette College November 3, 2005 Gods andConquest: Gods and Conquest:

Historical Context 1476–1516 – Ferdinand and Isabella – Charles V – Philip II Spain

Historical Context Hernán Cortés ( ) 1506 – Began conquests of the New World 1519 – Fled Cuba to conquer Mexico 3 key factors led to successful conquest 1520 – La Noche Triste (Night of Sorrow) Aztecs attacked Spaniards in Tenochtitlan

Colonization Spaniards imposed new laws: Controlled behavior of the indigenous people Attempted to convert indigenous people to Roman Catholicism Destroyed indigenous documents, religious icons, and temples

Background of the Codices Hand-drawn document Produced by indigenous Aztecs and Mixtecs Often commissioned by Europeans References of indigenous, pre-Hispanic culture Displays relations between Spanish and indigenous people during colonization

Background of the Codices Calendars Customs and celebrations The gods and religion Historic events The conquest of the Spaniards

Borgia Mixtec or Aztec origin Primarily indigenous influences Calendar systems Gods - Quetzalcoatl Basic color scheme - red, black, yellow Abstract representations of gods and figures

Azoyú Mixtec origin Evidence of Spanish influences Pictorial history of colonization Less of a presence of calendars and rituals Color scheme - more browns and blues More realistic representation of human figures

Vaticano Aztec Origin Primarily European influence Pictorial documentation of struggles against colonists Sequence of events with accompanying dates Vibrant color scheme Most realistic human figures

Quetzalcoatl Plumed Serpent Creator of life God of the wind, priesthood, and children

The Evolution of Quetzalcoatl Borgia ( ) Vaticano ( ) Abstract and unrealistic More human-like and realistic

Images of Conquest Borgia Images of Europeans do not exist

Azoyú European clothing – shoes and hats Appearance – beards, chairs and staffs The mistreatment of the indigenous people – ropes, position of eyes Images of Conquest

Vaticano European weapons Sophisticated clothing Presence of horses Images of Conquest

Codices evolved to include European influences Indigenous styles persist Codices became cultural learning tools for Europeans Images of Conquest

Questions? ?