Mexico Tenochtitlan (Osu8r)

This painted example of iconography represents the Nahua imperial capital, Mexico Tenochtitlan, which could just be called Mexico or just Tenochtitlan, too. Unfortunately, there is no gloss. The place name is represented by the symbol on this flag or banner (probably called a pantli) attached to a lance and being carried into battle in a Nahua expedition to Florida (at the instigation of the Spanish invaders). That the men of this expedition come from Mexico Tenochtitlan is indicated by the symbol on the banner–an eagle on a cactus–but also thanks to the Nahuatl text on the same page, referring to the men marching and riding the horse as “the Mexica Tenochca.” The contextualizing image shows the fuller scene, with one man on horseback and four others marching. They are shown in profile, facing right. They carry round shields but otherwise dress and wear hats with plumes much like Spaniards would. While they were inducted into this expedition to Florida by the colonizers, in the Nahuatl text there is a protest mentioning that no one was paid and many died.