“Matrícula de Tributos” [Roll of tributes] in Francisco Antonio de Lorenzana. Historia de Nueva España [History of New Spain].
Mexico: Joseph Antonio de Hogal, 1770.
Kislak Collection, Rare Book and Special Collections Division, Library of Congress (69.1)
Aztec Tribute Lists
Francisco Antonio de Lorenzana (1722–1804), who became archbishop of Mexico in 1766, published this richly illustrated compilation of valuable historical documents relating to the history of Mexico. One document is this “Matrícula de Tributos” (Roll of tributes), a native codex painted in 1521 by an Aztec artist. The Aztecs exacted tribute from conquered foreign territories in the form of desirable merchandise and raw materials. Displayed is one of the thirty-one tribute pages, each of which pictures the exact items, such as bundles of cacao beans, jaguar pelts, feathers, and other luxury goods, sent from a particular city or region.