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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