Formal name: Moctezuma Xocoyotzin
Life: 1468-1520
Reign: 1502-1520
Name: Angry Lord
Place of Birth: Likely Tenochtitlan
Death: Palace of Axayacatl, Tenochtitlan, killed by Spaniards or possibly Mexica mob.
The day after Ahuitzotl’s ashes were interred in the Sacred Precinct a council was formed to select the next ruler. There were many choices. After some discussion all the lords there unanimously selected Moctezuma.
Born around 1468, Moctezuma was the son of Tlatoani Axayacatzin, nephew of previous tlatoque Tizoc and Ahuitzotl, and also a noted military leader and religiously devout man. He had served as Tlacochcalacatl, or military general, the highest rank in the Mexica world and it was said his military advice was always sound. He was a natural choice.
During a coronation ceremony likely held in 1502, retold in detail by Duran, the new king vowed to care for the people of Tenochtitlan, including the old, the young, the gods and warriors. How accurate Duran’s writings are is not clear but the scene he sets is one of a powerful oath taken to his people.