124 MEXICO. 
Guite vivid,) he bad a drawing made, of which the sketch in this work is 
a fac-simile. 
Mr. Gondra believes it to have been the Gladiatorial Stone, placed per- 
haps opposite the great Sacrificial Stone, at the base of the Teocalli. 
This however, would not agree with the accounts of some of the old 
writers, who, although they agree that this stone was circular, as is signi- 
fied by its name, (Temalacatl) yet state that its surface was smooth, and 
had in its centre a bore or bolt, to which the captive was attached, as 
will be hereafter described. 
The figures represented on the stone in relief, are evidently those of 
warriors armed, and ready for the strife ; and I have thought it proper to 
give the picture of it to the public, for the first time, (subject, of course, 
to all critical observations,) with the hope that if it be not the Gladiatorial 
Stone, those who are more learned in Mexican antiquity, may some day 
discover what it really is. It is certainly remarkable for the colors, 
which are yet fresh; and for the figure of the "open hand," which is 
sculptured on a shield and between the legs of some of the figures of 
the groups at the sides. This " open hand" was a figure found by Mr. 
Stephens, in almost every temple he visited, during his recent explora- 
tions of Yucatan.* 
The Gladiatorial Sacrifice— the most noble of them all— was reserved 
alone &r captives renowned for courage. 
In an area, near the temple, large enough to contain a vast crowd of 
spectators, upon a raised terrace eight feet from the wall, was a circular 
stone, " resembling a mill-stone,''' says Clavigero,t "which was three feet 
high, well polished, and with figures cut on it." On this the prisoner was 
placed, tied by one foot, and armed with a small sword and shield, while 
a Mexican soldier or officer, better armed and accoutred, mounted to en- 
counter him in deadly conflict. The efforts of the brave prisoner were 
of course redoubled to save his life and fame, as were those of the Mex- 
lean, whose countrymen gazed with anxiety upon him as the vindicator 
of their nation's skill and glory. If the captive was vanquished in the 
combat, he was immediately borne "to the altar of common sacrifice, 
and his heart torn out, while the multitude applauded the victor, who was 
rewarded bv his sovereign. Some historians declare, that if the prisoner 
vanquished'one combatant he was free ; but Cort6z tells us that he was 
not granted his life and liberty until he had overcome six It was then, 
only, that the spoils taken from him in war were restored, and he was 
allowed to return to his native land. 
It is related that once when the chief lord of the Cholulans had become 
captive to the Huexotzincas, he overthrew, in the gladiatorial fight, seven 
t Clavigero, vol. ii., 280. , . , » j;.;„„ 
* I have not caused the figures on the sides of tliis stone to be engraved m the present edition. 
