Featherworking scenes, florentine codex, book 9, ca. The florentine codex is composed of twelve books and was put together in 1577 according to the laurentian library of florence where it is currently located. Anderson, 9780874800036, available at book depository with free delivery worldwide. It is written in alphabetic script, another introduction. Book one describes in detail the gods of the aztec people, including uitzilopochtli, tlatoc, and quetzalcoatl.
The florentine codex was a series of works on mexico, its people and their history overseen by fray bernardino sahagun a franciscan sympathetic to mexicans and mexican civilization, if not to their religion. The mexicas got in canoes and began to row toward the ships. Written between 1540 and 1585, the florentine codex so named because the manuscript has been part of the laurentian librarys collections since at least 1791 is the most authoritative statement we have of the aztecs lifeways and traditionsa rich and intimate yet panoramic view of a doomed people. Introductions, sahaguns prologues and interpolations, general bibliography, general indices. In her dress, posture, and pivotal location malinche is thus con structed as a. Two of the worlds leading scholars of the aztec language and culture h. October 31, 2012 world digital library adds florentine codex press contact. Also from europe are the style of tunic worn by the craftsmen shown here and images of christian saints. Sutherland the florentine codex is an ancient document that describes the life of the aztecs, their religious ceremonies, astronomy, economy, social order, the conquest of mexico and customs in precolumbian mexico. Nahuatl and spanish texts appear side by side, and are accompanied by the image of malintzin translating described above. Happy and eager, they patted each other on the back, so cheerful their heart was. Aztec codices are books written by precolumbian and colonialera nahuas in pictorial andor. The lightning above malinches head suggests her dream as in the paintings title may not be pacific. This colorful and clear translation brings to life characteristics of each god.
Two of the worlds leading scholars of the aztec language and culture hav. Some of the text in its books, however, can be dated earlier. Book x is about aztec society and covers such subjects as the virtues and vices of the people, food and drink, the parts of the human body, and illnesses and remedies. Book 12 of the florentine codex recounts the story of the conquest. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. She was taken from her home in isthmus by the men from xicalago. Papers of the school of american research by edgar l hewett and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. General history of the things of new spain by fray bernardino. That was the end of the march, for they had reached their goal. Florentine codex malinche or malinalli later baptized as marina has always appealed to me as a fascinating woman, a survivor, and an amazing historical character. A general history of the things of new spain florentine codex. 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.
Birthing was revered as a battle of sorts and the new child as a captured captive. Reinterpreting malinche by john taylor malinche info. Dec 09, 20 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. Malintzin, at least, was what the indians called her. Aztec noblewomen, florentine codex book 10 click on image to enlarge. The florentine codex shanthis cca world lit course. Malintzin was the indigenous woman who translated for hernando cortes in his dealings with the aztec emperor moctezuma in the days of 1519 to 1521.
Florentine codex, book 12 on the conquest of mexico from the mexica viewpoint. General history of the things of new spain by fray. We have new and used copies available, in 0 edition starting at. The arrival of spaniards and the meeting of dona marina and. Dona marina maintained her loyalty to the spaniards to the. The florentine codex has bound pages, a type of book introduced to nahuas by europeans. Bernal diaz writes that malinche was just a young child when she left jaltipan. Oct 31, 2012 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. This is a new facsimilar edition that casa editorial aldus coediting with libros mas cultura cleanly brings forth. How does diaz compare malinche to joseph in the book of genesis.
As malinche, she has long been regarded as a traitor to her people, a dangerously sexy, scheming. Aztec gods from the digital edition of the florentine codex. It is by no means the only book on malinche but it is one i particularly liked. 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. It seemed to pierce the sky itself, very wide at the base and narrow at the top. While the artists of th florentinee codex featured marina only seven times, she appears quite frequentllienzo. The florentine codex is divided by subject area into twelve books and. Early in his expedition to mexico, cortes was confronted by the mayas at potonchan. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. History of tlaxcala, hernan cortes and malinche meet moctezuma ii. Aztec feather painters from the digital edition of the.
Dona marina in florentine codex world history commons. World digital library adds florentine codex library of. Commonly referred to as the florentine codex, the manuscript consists of 12 books devoted to different topics. This image evokes certain female earth deities known to the aztecs, and it sustains the metaphor of the mexican nation having been built upon the ground laid by malinches actions. Classic book, one of the marvels of the mexican mesoamerican contribution to world civilization and mankind. She was given as a slave by the maya to hernan cortez in 1519 and became his interpreter and translator throughout the years of his conquest. World digital library adds florentine codex library of congress. The florentine codex was a series of famous books created by a team of young aztec scholars forty years after the conquest. Of supreme importance is the florentine codex, a project directed by. Jun 14, 2011 reinterpreting malinche by john taylor.