This version of the codice florentine is based on the version of the codex held in florence as well as on the summary of the original codex. The aztec account of the conquest of mexico is found in book xii of the florentine codex. Florentine codex, general history of the things of new spain. The general history of the things of new spain, by. My child, darling daughter, lady, you spent yourself manfully. Obviously one mustnt be too picky when choosing which bilingual volume of englishnahuatl florentine codex to buy. Florentine codex, book 12, ch 14 early nahuatl library. Book xi, the longest in the codex, is a treatise on natural history. A general history of the things of new spain florentine codex. Florentine codex facsimile edition bilingual press. Following the traditional division of knowledge common to many european encyclopedic works, the florentine codex deals with all things divine or rather idolatrous. How it got from spain to italy and into the laurentian library in florence we can only conjecture.
Please note that the content of this book primarily consists of articles available from wikipedia or other free sources online. Artists, materials, and the creation of the florentine. Book one describes in detail the gods of the aztec people, including uitzilopochtli, tlatoc, and quetzalcoatl. Book xii recounts the spanish conquest of mexico, which took place between 1519, when cortes landed on the coast with just over 100 men and a few horses, and 1521, when tenochtitlan was taken and the aztecs subjugated. This particular book is about the spanish invasion of mexico in 1519 and their eventual consolidation of power in the capital. This source focuses on book twelve which consists of fortyone chapters. World digital library adds florentine codex library of. Birthing was revered as a battle of sorts and the new child as a captured captive. An english translation of the florentine codex is available as florentine codex. Book twelve contains a meticulous retelling of the spanish conquest of mexico, from the days leading up to the first arrival of cortes to the eventual submission of. Florentine codex, book 12, ch 01 fcbk12ch01f03r00 folio 3 recto. Its 12 books, richly illustrated by indigenous artists, cover the aztec. A monumental achievement, the florentine codex is the single most important artistic and historical document for studying the peoples and cultures of prehispanic and colonial central mexico. The florentine codex shanthis cca world lit course.
The manuscript, divided into 12 volumes and now known as the florentine codex, is the single most important artistic and historical document for the study of the peoples and cultures of prehispanic and colonial central mexico. The people were also terrified, debating the news among themselves. World digital library adds florentine codex library of congress. Take a quick interactive quiz on the concepts in aztec florentine codex. In the books there are several illustrations made by the nahua nobleman of tlatelolco.
The author is professor of anthropology at the university of chicago. Each page of the florentine codex contains parallel columns of nahuatl and spanish text. The florentine codex, a unique manuscript dating from 1577 preserved. Many sections were not translated, and some only summarize the nahuatl text.
A digital version of the florentine codex can be accessed here and here. It is a copy of original source materials which are now lost, perhaps destroyed by the spanish authorities who confiscated. Ebook florentine codex as pdf download portable document. Florentine codex, book 12, ch 01 early nahuatl library. Some thoughts on sahagun and the florentine codex mv. The price is quite high, for the amount of book youre actually getting, especially when you realize that people like me will eventually want to buy the whole set. This is book 12, chapter 14 of the florentine codex, also known as the general history of the things of new spain.
These practice questions will help you master the material. A couple of days ago, i was looking at the role of the dutch golden age in mediating cultural transmission through a number of their. Spring li hist 106 the florentine codex the florentine codex consists of twelve books written in the nahuatl languages. A general history of the things of new spain 2nd ed. The nahua accounts concentrate on those things that were new and strange like horses and crossbows but also seek to find parallels and comparisons between their own practices and customs and the ways of the. Nahuatl and spanish texts appear side by side, and are accompanied by the image of malintzin translating described above. Informed by maya and other indian peoples to the east of the capital of the great aztec empire lying in the central mexican highlands, the spaniards reached the coast of veracruz on april 21. The excerpts from the florentine codex in our book, the midwife addresses the woman who has died in childbirth and the midwife addresses the newly delivered woman, provide fascinating examples of gender treatment in aztec society. Today this twelvevolume manuscript is preserved in the biblioteca medicea laurenziana in florence and is widely known as the florentine codex. This is book 12, chapter 1 of the florentine codex, also known as the general history of the things of new spain. The text in spanish and nahuatl, documents the culture, religious,ritual practices, society, economics, and history of the aztec people. The florentine codex is divided by subject area into twelve books and includes over 2,000 illustrations drawn by nahua artists in the sixteenth century. The conquest of mexico florentine codex, book 12 the core.
This is book 12, chapter 12 of the florentine codex, also known as the general history of the things of new spain. General history of the things of new spain by fray. Other articles where florentine codex is discussed. The drawing shows nahuas infected with smallpox disease. My translation this version of the codice florentine is based on the version of the codex held in florence as well as on the summary of the original codex. Painters, pigments, and the making of the florentine codex. Book eleven is a beautifully written and careful documentation of all of the animals and plants known to the aztecs in the sixteenth century.
Read and learn for free about the following article. The nahuatl text is on the right side of the codex, and the sections that were translated into spanish appear in the left column. Florentine codex, book 12, ch 12 early nahuatl library. Book 12, the account of the conquest of mexico from the point of view of the conquered of tenochtitlantlatelolco is the only strictly historical book of the historia. The illustration accompanies text written in nahuatl, which in english translation says in part. Two of the worlds leading scholars of the aztec language and culture hav. Sahagun is a franciscan missionary who arrived in mexico in 1529. The florentine codex, a unique manuscript dating from 1577 preserved in the medicea laurenziana library in florence, is for the first time available online in digital format, the library of congress announced today. The florentine codex consists of 12 books that describe aztec life before the spanish conquest. Although it has been amply appreciated and studied since the late nineteenth century, its ongoing ethnographic, linguistic, and historical utility cannot be overstated. If youre seeing this message, it means were having trouble loading external resources on our website. Archaeological and historical evidence florentine codex.
Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. We have new and used copies available, in 0 edition starting at. The spaniards approached tenochtitlan from the south, crossing to the city along the causeway from ixtapalapa. Working in a field like the atlantic world means i have access to all sorts of sources. Florentine codex, book 12, ch 14 fcbk12ch14f21v00 folio 21 verso.
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