Mexica: A History Podcast

Month: December 2022

  • Aztec Rulers: Moctezuma, Fifth Tlatoani

    Formal Name: Moteuczomatzin
    Life: 1397/98-1469/1471
    Reign: 1440-1469/1471
    Name: Angry Like a Lord, fletcher of the sky
    Place of Birth: Tenochtitlan
    Died: Tenochtitlan, of illness.

    Moctezuma Ilhuicamina, or Moctezuma the Elder, and his brother Tlacaelel were at the heart of the Mexica nobility and served as young generals under the violent leadership of Itzcoatl. They were part of a militant political faction that had raised Itzcoatl to the throne and stood in opposition to their other brother, and former tlatoani Chimalpopoca. After Chimalpopoca‘s assassination Itzcoatl, Moctezuma, Tlacaelel and their group took power. Moctezuma and Tlacaelel had big ambitions for the growing Mexica people.

    Illustration of Moctezuma Ilhuicamina, Codex Tovar 1587 or 1588.
    Illustration of Moctezuma Ilhuicamina, Codex Tovar 1587 or 1588.
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  • Aztec Rulers – Itzcoatl: Fourth Ruler of Tenochtitlan

    Formal Name: Itzcoatzin
    Life: 1380-1440
    Reign: 1425/28-1440
    Name: obsidian serpent
    Place of Birth: Tenochtitlan
    Died: Tenochtitlan, of illness.

    Itzcoatl was selected to lead Tenochtitlan following the death of his predecessor, Chimalpopoca, who was allegedly murdered by his uncle Maxtla, the Tepanec leader in Coyoacan. Maxtla felt his father’s loyalty to his Mexica grandson Chimlpopoca was a liability to the economic health of the Tepanecs. And so, it is accepted that Maxtla coordinated the death of the Mexica leader and his son. Additionally, the Tepanec king Tezozomoc was possibly killed later, ending the line completely. The brash assassinations seem to be entirely the work of Maxtla, however one man benefited greatly: Itzcoatl.

    Itzcoatl, fourth ruler of Tenochtitlan.

    Born around 1380, Itzcoatl was likely the son of Tlatoani Huitzilihuitl and his favorite slave girl, her name lost to history. Perhaps this forbidden mother, more alluring to the king than the Tepanec queen, was the root of Itzcoatl’s ferocity.

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