Piedra de Tizoc

The stone of Tizoc was discovered on December 17, 1791 at the Main Square in Mexico City. It is a cuauhxicalli used in gladiatory sacrifices. This ritual consisted of a fight between a war captive and a Mexica warrior; the former was armed with a truncheon, called macuauhuitl that instead of obsidian blades had cotton balls or feathers; the latter was fully armed which gave him an advantage during combat.Historical sources say that there was one case in which the captive managed to defeat his opponents. His name was Tlahuicole, of Tlaxcalteca origins, and proving his courage and strength was offered salvation; however, he preferred to die in sacrifice.The sides of the sculpture have the ruler Tizoc holding by the hair rulers from different towns, a common way to represent the defeat of the enemy. On top of the captives there is the glyph corresponding to the defeated city.Mtro. Hugo García Capistran