Mexica topileque (Osu30v)

Mexica topileque (Osu30v)
Iconography

Glyph or Iconographic Image Description:

This iconographic example of Mexicah constables (topileque, or topilehqueh with the glottal stops) is included in this digital collection for the purpose of making comparisons. Shown are two Nahua men, chest up, in profile, facing the viewer’s right. Each one holds a staff (topilli) that is a testimonial to their status as members of the Indigenous town council. The topileque were lesser constables, perhaps aiding the alguacil (a Spanish loanword). The term topileque is Nahua in origin.

Description, Credit:

Stephanie Wood

Added Analysis:

On the same page and in a horizontal row with the two men featured here is a long array of goods that they were apparently providing to the colonizers without remuneration, including such things as chile peppers, fish, and cacao beans.

Added Analysis, Credit:

Stephanie Wood

Gloss Image:

Source Manuscript:

Osuna, Codex (Osu)

Date of Manuscript:

1551–1565

Creator's Location (and place coverage):

Mexico City

Syntax:

noun(s)

Cultural Content & Iconography:

Food, Eating, Cooking

Gender (male)

Gifts, Offerings, Sacrifice

Politics, Power, Governance

Race, Ethnicity, Identity

Social Hierarchy, Commoners, Elites

Cultural Content, Credit:

Jeff Haskett-Wood

Colors:

black & white drawing (no color)

Shapes and Perspectives:

profile view

facing right

Keywords:

mexitin, mexicanos, nahuas, macehuales, indígenas, topiles

Glyph or Iconographic Image:

Relevant Nahuatl Dictionary Word(s):

Mexica (Mexicah, plural of Mexicatl), the people of Mexico City, https://nahuatl.wired-humanities.org/content/mexica
topile, an Indigenous constable, https://nahuatl.wired-humanities.org/content/topile

Glyph/Icon Name, Spanish Translation:

los topiles mexicanos

Spanish Translation, Credit:

Stephanie Wood

Image Source:

Library of Congress Online Catalog and the World Digital Library, Osuna Codex, or Painting of the Governor, Mayors, and Rulers of Mexico (Pintura del Gobernador, Alcaldes y Regidores de México), https://www.loc.gov/resource/gdcwdl.wdl_07324/. The original is located in the Biblioteca Nacional de España.

Image Source, Rights:

"The Library of Congress is unaware of any copyright or other restrictions in the World Digital Library Collection. Absent any such restrictions, these materials are free to use and reuse." But please cite the Biblioteca Nacional de España and this Visual Lexicon of Aztec Hieroglyphs if you use any of these images here or refer to the content on this page, providing the URL.

Historical Contextualizing Image: