Mexica: A History Podcast

Month: October 2022

  • Aztec Rulers: Chimalpopoca, Third Tlatoani of Tenochtitlan

    Formal Name: Chimalpopocatzin
    Life: 13??/1407 (Duran)-1424/28
    Reign: 1417-1424/28
    Name: obsidian serpent
    Place of Birth: Tenochtitlan
    Died: Tenochtitlan, likely assassinated.

    While it’s commonly accepted Chimalpopoca is the son of Huitzilihuitl, and grandson of Acamapichtli, there are versions of history that say his father was Acamapichtli, the first ruler of Tenochtitlan. It does seem he was the favorite grandson of the ruler of Atzcapozalco, Tezozomoc, according to several sources. I’m going to go with the version where he is the grandson of Acamapichtli and Tezozomoc. Chimalpopoca’s name means smoking shield and his name glyph is shown as a shield, or chimalli in Nahuatl, with smoke rising off the top.

    Illustration of Chimalpopoca, Codex Tovar 1587 or 1588.
    Illustration of Chimalpopoca, Codex Tovar 1587 or 1588.
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  • Aztec Rulers: Huitzilihuitl, Second Ruler of Tenochtitlan

    Formal Name: Huitzilihuitzin
    Life: Unknown-1416
    Reign: 1396-1416
    Name: hummingbird feather
    Place of Birth: likely Tenochtitlan
    Died: Likely in Tenochtitlan of natural causes.

    The second Tlatoani of Tenochtitlan, and the first that was born in the city, was Huitzilihuitl or formally known as Huitzilihuitzin. He was the son of the first tlatoani, Acampichtli, and a Mexica mother named Tezcatlan Miyahuatzin. His name translates to hummingbird feather, and his name glyph is shown as a green hummingbird head with feathers on the sides. The hummingbird was an important spiritual animal to the Mexica and their feathers were valued more than precious metals.

    Huitzilihuitl was born into a growing Mexica community still subject to the Tepanec people of Azcapotzalco and their king Tezozomoc. Before he died, Acampachtli established the calpultin, a council of the four districts, that would not only consider nobility, but ability of potential rulers. Huitzilihuitl was the first selected by this council for his kindness and peaceable manner, according to Duran. The Cronica Mexicayotl describes him as a “very beloved son.”

    Huitzilihuitl, second ruler of Tenochtitlan, depicted in the Codex Tovar.
    Illustration of Huitzilihuitl, Codex Tovar 1587 or 1588.
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  • Aztec Rulers, The First: Acamapichtli

    Formal Name: Acamapichtzin
    Life: Unknown-1395/96
    Reign: 1376-1395/96
    Name: hummingbird feather
    Place of Birth: Possibly Texcoco or Culhuacan.
    Died: Likely in Tenochtitlan of illness.

    Acamapichtli was not born in Tenochtitlan, and was likely a native of Texcoco or Culhuacan. His name means “fistful of reeds,” and his name glyph used in the many historic codices is essentially that, a fist holding a bundle of reeds.

    The council of Mexica elders decided to select Acamapichtli because of his dual Mexica-Colhuacan lineage and so cemented the political place of the newly established island-city of Tenochtitlan. Acamapichtli was crowned and became the first Tlatoani of Tenochtitlan around 1382. His mother being from Culhuacan, the dominant city-state at the time, was a critical consideration in his election. The Mexica were then a minor newcomer in a place with thousands of years of history, they needed status.

    Illustration of Acamapichtli, Codex Tovar 1587 or 1588.
    Illustration of Acamapichtli, Codex Tovar 1587 or 1588.
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