Pedro de Alvarado (FCbk12f54r)

This iconographic example features a black and white sketch of Pedro de Alvarado on horseback, in the aggression of June 1521 against Tlatelolco. It is included in this digital collection for the purpose of making comparisons with related hieroglyphs. The term selected for this example comes from the text near the image in the Digital Florentine Codex. There is no gloss, per se. Pedro de Alvarado is singled out here. He sits on his horse in profile, facing right. His horse has its front left foot raised, very much in motion. The contextualizing image shows Alvarado next to the standard bearer and on the heels of a Tlaxcalteca warrior who marches on foot. About six Spaniards, all riding horses, appear in that scene. Tlatelolca defenders on foot and in boats confront the invaders. A compound sign standing for Tlatelolco is writ large between the defenders. It is partly the traditional hieroglyph (a mound of earth–tlatelli– with dots–possibly sand, from an earlier name Xaltilolco), partly a sign for war (shield and arrows), and partly what may be an eagle.