Aztec Codices

Among the best primary sources on Aztec culture, Aztec codices contain firsthand accounts of the civilization's history and religion. While the pre-Colombian codices are largely pictorial, later colonial era codices contain Aztec pictograms, as well as Aztec, Spanish, and occasionally Latin writings. Though there are few surviving pre-conquest codices, the tradition endured the transition to colonial culture, and about 500 such works survive today. What massacre is described in the Aubin Codex? More...

Massacre In Great Temple Of The Aztec Capital Tenochtitlan – On May 20, 1520

The Spanish version of the incident claims the conquistadors intervened to prevent a ritual of human sacrifice in the Templo Mayor.

The Aztec version says the Spaniards were enticed into action by the gold the Aztecs were wearing, prompting an Aztec rebellion against the orders of Moctezuma.

While differing so on Alvarado’s specific motive, both accounts are basically in agreement regarding one thing, that the celebrants were unarmed and that the massacre was without warning and unprovoked.
During his absence, Moctezuma asked deputy governor Pedro de Alvarado for permission to celebrate Toxcatl (an Aztec festivity in honor of Tezcatlipoca, one of their main gods).

But after the festivities had started, Alvarado interrupted the celebration, killing almost everyone present at the festival, men, women, and children alike.

The few who managed to escape the massacre climbing over the walls proceeded to inform the community of the treacherous Spaniards’ atrocity.


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