Codex Mendoza

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The first page of Codex Mendoza. Glyphs for the hueyi tlatoani (Aztec emperors) circle the eagle perched on the cactus, recalling the sign given to the wandering Mexica (Aztecs) that they should found their capital Tenochtitlan at that site. Note that the eagle does not have a snake in its mouth, contrary to the most common version of the legend.

The Codex Mendoza is an illustrated document written by Aztec scribes in the ancient pictorial format. One of a number of Aztec codices, this document was written between 1541 and 1542, two decades after the Spanish Conquest of Mexico. After completion, a scribe added written descriptions and text in Spanish.

Written on European paper, it contains 71 pages, divided in three sections:

• Section I, 16 pages, is a history of the Aztec people from 1325 through 1521 — from the founding of Tenochtitlan through the Spanish conquest. It lists the reign of each ruler and the towns conquered by them.

• Section II, 39 pages, provides a list of the towns conquered by the Triple Alliance and the tributes paid by each.

• Section III, 16 pages, is a pictorial depiction of the daily life of the Aztecs.

The codex is also known as the Codex Mendocino and La coleccion Mendoza, and has been held at the Bodleian Library at Oxford University since 1654.

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