Mexica: A History Podcast

Category: People

  • Aztec Rulers: Cuauhtémoc, 11th Ruler of Tenochtitlan

    Formal name: Cuauhtemoctzin
    Life: 1502-February 28, 1525
    Reign: 1520-1525
    Name: diving eagle
    Place of Birth: Tenochtitlan or Tlatelolco
    Death: Itzamkanac, Tabasco, hung by Cortes.

    Following Cuitlahuauc’s death, Cuauhtémoc was immediately installed to lead the Mexica, in part, because there were a dwindling few who qualified. Cuauhtémoc did have both noble lineage and characteristics desired in a leader and he lived up to the challenge. 

    Nothing is known of his youth. Born around 1495 or 1496, he was a son of the 8th tlatoani of tenochtitlan, Ahuitzotl, and cousin to Moctezuma II. His mother was Tiyacapantzin, a princess from Tlatelolco. We can speculate on some standards in an elite upbringing, like perhaps attending the youth academy for nobles and that he was likely born in Tenochtitlan during his father’s reign.

    Prisión de Guatimocín, último emperador de Méjico (Museo de Zaragoza).
    Painting called the Prisión de Guatimocín, último emperador de Méjico (Museo de Zaragoza).
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  • Aztec Rulers: Cuitlahuac, 10th Ruler of Tenochtitlan

    Formal name: Cuitlahuatzin
    Life: 1476-1520
    Reign: 1520-1520
    Name: place of excrement
    Place of Birth: Likely Tenochtitlan
    Death: Tenochtitlan, of smallpox.

    Cuitlahuac took power during the occupation of the Mexica capital city in 1520 when Cortes and his Indigenous allies were holed up in his father’s palace. Before Moctezuma was killed the Mexica forces were rallying behind Cuitlahuac. The conquistador Diaz, who was present in Tenochtitlan during the palace siege, said Cuitlahuac was outside the palace every day rallying fighters and motivating his warriors to keep up the fight. I imagine Diaz peering out of a crack in a barricade and seeing Cuitlahuac fighting for his people. Cuitlahuac was the leader the Mexica needed in that moment, fiery and clear on the threat the Castilians posed.

    Illustration of Cuitlahuac.
    Illustration of Cuitlahuac.
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  • Aztec Rulers: Moctezuma II, Ninth Tlatoani

    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.

    Moctezuma from the Codex Mendoza.

    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.

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  • Aztec Rulers: Ahuitzotl, Eighth Tlatoani

    Formal name: Ahuitzotzin
    Life: 14??-1502
    Reign: 1486-1502, 1485-1502 (Tira de Tepechpan)
    Name: Water possum, water creature
    Place of Birth: Likely Tenochtitilan

    Upon the death of Tizoc, the lords met and Tlacaelel began to advocate for his young grand nephew Ahuitzotl, a child at the time, according to Duran. Other sources say he was already an accomplished military leader and priest. Around 1486 Ahuitzotl was chosen to be the eighth tlatoani of Tenochtitlan and Huey Tlatoani of the Triple Alliance, overseeing an empire that stretched across the valley of Mexico to the mountains in the west and to the Gulf of Mexico to the east.

    Ahuitzotl’s first effort was his inaugural campaign to put down a rebellion in the coastal region in northern Veracruz where the Huastec Nation was testing the new king. Recently subjugated by his brother Tizoc, Ahuitzotl led the army to victory and returned to Tenochtitlan with captives for his coronation festivities.

    Illustration of Ahuitzotl. Codex Tovar, 1587-1588.
    Illustration of Ahuitzotl. Codex Tovar, 1587-1588.
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  • Aztec Rulers: Tizoc, Seventh Tlatoani

    Formal name: Tizocicatzin
    Life: 1449-1486
    Reign: 1481-1486, 1481-1485 (Tira de Tepechpan)
    Name: He who makes sacrifices, he who does penance
    Place of Birth: Likely Tenochtitlan

    Following the 80 days of funeral ceremonies for Axayacatl, the two remaining leaders of the Triple Alliance, Nezahualpilli of Texcoco and Chimalpopoca of Tlacopan, met with the Mexica high priest and advisor Tlacalael. They selected Tizoc to be the next tlatoani of Tenochtitlan. Tlacalael, in part, chose his grand nephew Tizoc out of loyalty to his dead brother, Moctezuma the Elder.

    Tizoc was born around 1449, grandson of former emperors Moctezuma I and Itzcoatl, and the middle brother of three who would follow each other as tlatoani, Axayacatl, Tizoc and Ahuitzotl.

    Tizoc, the Seventh Aztec King.
    Illustration of Tlatoani Tizoc, Codex Tovar, 1587 or 1588.
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  • Tenoch: Aztec Founding Father

    Tenoch: Aztec Founding Father

    Tenoch is the person, whether real or mythological, for whom the Aztec city of Tenochtitlan is named. But who Tenoch was, is a bit of a mystery.

    He appears frequently in many of the codices, or ancient documents, preserved from before and after the Conquest. Tenoch is recognizable by his name glyph, a rock with a cactus growing on it and he appears in Mendoza, Aubin and Azcatitlan codices. Tenoch is mentioned in several post-conquest written historic documents. He shares his name glyph with the city of Tenochtitlan.

    Tenoch depicted in the Codex Azcatitlan.
    Tenoch depicted in the Codex Azcatitlan, his name-glyph below him.
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  • Aztec Rulers: Axayacatl, Sixth Tlatoani

    Formal Name: Axayacatzin
    Life: 1449-1481
    Reign: 1469-1481
    Name: Face of water
    Place of Birth:

    A grandson of tlatoque Moctezuma I and Itzcoatl, Axayacatl was seemingly destined to become ruler of Tenochtitlan. But his military record helped him rise above his two older brothers, Tizoc and Ahuitzotl, to become favored by the elite decision makers, like Tlacalael. He had served as Captain General and High Priest of the Templo Mayor before ascending to the throne.

    After the death of his grandfather, Tlacalael met with the other leaders of the Triple Alliance, Totoquihuatzli and Nezahualcoyotl. At first the nobles and elders pleaded with Tlacalael to be the next ruler, but he declined, telling them he already ruled and was respected and his decisions heard and that he was too old to rule. He suggested Axayacatl, who he would guide and mentor, and he was chosen to succeed. Axayacatl was crowned in 1469. The new tlatoani would be a good friend of Nezahualcoyotl until his death in 1472, when Axayacatl attended his funeral. The new king’s rule was eventful.

    Painting of Axayacatl, Codex Tovar 1587 or 1588.
    Painting of Axayacatl, Codex Tovar 1587 or 1588.
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