This finely engraved original antique
print of
Moctezuma
the last Emperor of the Aztec's - in today's Mexico - was published
by John Ogilby in the 1671 edition of An Accurate
Description and Complete History of America and Africa
based on De Nieuwe en Onbekende Wereld by
Arnold Montanus.
Moctezuma
II (c. 1466 – 29 June 1520), also known by a number of
variant spellings including Montezuma, Moteuczoma,
Motecuhzoma and referred to in full by early Nahuatl
texts as Motecuhzoma Xocoyotzin (Moctezuma the Young)
was the ninth tlatoani or ruler of Tenochtitlan,
reigning from 1502 to 1520. The first contact between
indigenous civilizations of Mesoamerica and Europeans
took place during his reign, and he was killed during
the initial stages of the Spanish conquest of Mexico,
when Conquistador Hernán Cortés and his men fought to
escape from the Aztec capital Tenochtitlan.
During his reign the Aztec Empire reached its maximal
size. Through warfare, Moctezuma expanded the territory
as far south as Xoconosco in Chiapas and the Isthmus of
Tehuantepec, and incorporated the Zapotec and Yopi
people into the empire. He changed the previous
meritocratic system of social hierarchy and widened the
divide between pipiltin (nobles) and
macehualtin (commoners) by prohibiting commoners
from working in the royal palaces.
The portrayal of Moctezuma in history has mostly been
colored by his role as ruler of a defeated nation, and
many sources describe him as weak-willed and indecisive.
The biases of some historical sources make it difficult
to understand his actions during the Spanish invasion.
(Ref: Tooley, M&B)
General Description:
Paper thickness and quality: - Heavy and stable
Paper color: - off white
Age of map color: -
Colors used: -
General color appearance: -
Paper size: - 14 1/2in x 9in (360mm x 230mm)
Plate size: - 11 3/4in x 7 1/4in (295mm x 185mm)
Margins: - Min 1in (25mm)
Imperfections:
Margins: - None
Plate area: - None
Verso: - None
If you wish to discuss this or any other item
please email or call - good luck, Simon.
Classical Images
61 (0) 409 551910 Tel
simon@classicalimages.com |