The The EvolutionEvolution of the of the

CodicesCodicesBorgia, Azoyú & VaticanoBorgia, Azoyú & Vaticano

By Christine Haddad ’07 and Lisa Lovallo By Christine Haddad ’07 and Lisa Lovallo ’07’07

Lafayette CollegeLafayette College

November 3, 2005November 3, 2005

GodsGods and and Conquest:Conquest:

Historical ContextHistorical Context

1476–1516 – Ferdinand and 1476–1516 – Ferdinand and IsabellaIsabella

1516-1556 – Charles V1516-1556 – Charles V

1556-1598 – Philip II 1556-1598 – Philip II

SpainSpain

Historical ContextHistorical ContextHernán Cortés (1485-1547)Hernán Cortés (1485-1547)

1506 – Began conquests of the New 1506 – Began conquests of the New World World

1519 – Fled Cuba to conquer Mexico1519 – Fled Cuba to conquer Mexico3 key factors led to successful conquest3 key factors led to successful conquest

1520 – La Noche Triste (Night of 1520 – La Noche Triste (Night of Sorrow) Sorrow)

Aztecs attacked Spaniards in TenochtitlanAztecs attacked Spaniards in Tenochtitlan

ColonizationColonization

Spaniards imposed new laws:Spaniards imposed new laws:Controlled behavior of the indigenous Controlled behavior of the indigenous peoplepeople

Attempted to convert indigenous people Attempted to convert indigenous people to Roman Catholicismto Roman Catholicism

Destroyed indigenous documents, Destroyed indigenous documents, religious icons, and templesreligious icons, and temples

Background of the Background of the CodicesCodices

Hand-drawn document Hand-drawn document

Produced by indigenous Aztecs and Produced by indigenous Aztecs and MixtecsMixtecs

Often commissioned by Europeans Often commissioned by Europeans

References of indigenous, pre-Hispanic References of indigenous, pre-Hispanic cultureculture

Displays relations between Spanish and Displays relations between Spanish and indigenous people during colonizationindigenous people during colonization

Background of the Background of the CodicesCodices

CalendarsCalendars

Customs and Customs and celebrationscelebrations

The gods and religionThe gods and religion

Historic eventsHistoric events

The conquest of the The conquest of the SpaniardsSpaniards

BorgiaBorgia1250-15211250-1521

Mixtec or Aztec originMixtec or Aztec origin

Primarily indigenous influencesPrimarily indigenous influences

Calendar systemsCalendar systems

Gods - QuetzalcoatlGods - Quetzalcoatl

Basic color scheme - red, black, yellowBasic color scheme - red, black, yellow

Abstract representations of gods and Abstract representations of gods and figuresfigures

AzoyAzoyúú1421-15651421-1565

Mixtec originMixtec origin

Evidence of Spanish influencesEvidence of Spanish influences

Pictorial history of colonizationPictorial history of colonization

Less of a presence of calendars and Less of a presence of calendars and ritualsrituals

Color scheme - more browns and Color scheme - more browns and bluesblues

More realistic representation of More realistic representation of human figureshuman figures

VaticanoVaticano1558-16091558-1609

Aztec OriginAztec Origin

Primarily European influencePrimarily European influence

Pictorial documentation of struggles Pictorial documentation of struggles against colonistsagainst colonists

Sequence of events with Sequence of events with accompanying datesaccompanying dates

Vibrant color schemeVibrant color scheme

Most realistic human figuresMost realistic human figures

QuetzalcoatlQuetzalcoatlPlumed SerpentPlumed SerpentCreator of lifeCreator of lifeGod of the wind, priesthood, and childrenGod of the wind, priesthood, and children

The Evolution of The Evolution of QuetzalcoatlQuetzalcoatlBorgia (1250-1521)Borgia (1250-1521)Vaticano (1558-1609)Vaticano (1558-1609)

Abstract and unrealisticAbstract and unrealistic More human-like and More human-like and realisticrealistic

Images of ConquestImages of ConquestBorgiaBorgia

Images of Europeans do not existImages of Europeans do not exist

AzoyúAzoyúEuropean clothing – shoes and hatsEuropean clothing – shoes and hats

Appearance – beards, chairs and staffs Appearance – beards, chairs and staffs

The mistreatment of the indigenous people – ropes, The mistreatment of the indigenous people – ropes, position of eyesposition of eyes

Images of ConquestImages of Conquest

Vaticano Vaticano European weaponsEuropean weaponsSophisticated clothingSophisticated clothingPresence of horsesPresence of horses

Images of ConquestImages of Conquest

Codices evolved to include Codices evolved to include European influencesEuropean influences

Indigenous styles persistIndigenous styles persist

Codices became cultural learning Codices became cultural learning tools for Europeanstools for Europeans

Images of ConquestImages of Conquest

Questions?Questions?

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