Tag: Tlatoani - Page 2 - Mexica: A History Podcast

Aztec Rulers: Moctezuma, Fifth Tlatoani

Life: 1398-1469 Reign: 1440-1469
Name: Angry Like a Lord
Moctezuma and his brother Tlacaelel were at the heart of the Mexica nobility and served as generals under Itzcoatl. They were part of a militant political faction that had raised Itzcoatl to the throne. They stood in opposition to their other brother and ruler Chimalpopoca. After Chimalpopoca’s assassination Moctezuma, Tlacaelel and their group took power for their faction, Moctezuma followed Itzcoatl as the next ruler. Moctezuma and Tlacaelel had big ambitions for the growing Mexica people.

Moctezuma depicted during his crowning in 1440, from the Tovar Codex.

In 1469 he died in Tenochtitlan, according to History of the Chihcimeca Nation. The Catholic writer Duran notes he became ill, worsening by the day. Just before his death, according to Duran, the famines ended and a military conquest had been completed. Duran also notes he was buried in the courtyard of his palace along with his treasure. Quickly after his death, the ruler of Texcoco, Nezahuacoyotl, sent for Axayacatl, grandson of Itzcoatl and Moctezuma, who would be the next ruler. If not overshadowed by Moctezuma II, the first Moctezuma would likely be better known as a great Aztec ruler.

Moctezuma’s Accomplishments

Solidified the Triple Alliance and Tenochtitlan’s status as the dominant group.
Built network of aquaducts to supply Tenochtitlan and Texcoco.
Was first “Hue Tlatoani” or Great Speaker, as speaking on behalf of Triple Alliance partners.
Expanded empire out of Valley of Mexico to Gulf Coast (Huastec and Totonac people)
Natural Disasters, Moctezuma was faced with a flood (1449), locusts (1446), drought and frost (1450-54). Notably the drought forced the empire to its knees.
Years of Peace 1440-1453
Codified the class system, real estate, clothing, etc.
Created legal and educational policies (part of class codification)

Itzcoatl <<- Moctezuma ->> Axayacatl

Aztec Rulers – Itzcoatl: Fourth Ruler of Tenochtitlan

1380-1440 – Reign: 1427-1440
Name: Obsidian Serpent
Itzcoatl established the Triple Alliance, or what is casually referred to as the Aztec Empire. After his likely nephew Chimalpopoca was killed it freed the Mexica people from their loyalty to the Tepanec Empire. Itzcoatl, unencumbered by loyalty to his Tepanec ancestors, led a war against Maxtla, the ruler of the Tepanec capital in Azcapotzalco. The king of Texcoco, legendary cultural icon Nezahuacoyotl joined the Mexica ruler in this war. After the war was won a new alliance, which included the altepetl, or family-ruled city of Tlacopan, emerged. The three rulers, Itzcoatl, Nezahuacoyotl and Totoquihuatzli formed the Triple Alliance that would rule the Valley of Mexico until 1521.

After cementing the alliance and control of the northern valley and lakes, Itzcoatl moved south into lakes Xochimilco and Chalco. But first he took down the reigning altepetls of Culhuacan and Coyoacan. Then they moved on to chinampa towns of Cuitlahuac, Mixquic and others.

With the entire Valley in their control, the lords of the Triple Alliance established their titles and districts. Itzcoatl took the title of Lord of the Culhua, Totoquihuatzli of Tlacopan took on the Tepanec lands and people and Nezahuacoyotl remained as ruler the Acolhua people east of Texcoco. With their power consolidated the Triple Alliance took on the people of Cuahnahuac.

Itzcoatl depicted in the Tovar Codex, his name-glyph, an obsidian serpent, over his right shoulder.

Itzcoatl died in 1440 and was succeeded by his nephew Moctezuma I.

Itzcoatl’s Accomplishments

Established the Triple Alliance
Conquered Culuhua and Coyoacan
Overthrew Tepanec subjugation
Conquered Chinampa People of lakes Chalco and Xochimilco
Built a causeway
Expanded infrastructure and buildings of Tenochtitlan
Established new religious and political hierarchies

Chimalpopoca <<- Itzcoatl ->> Moctezuma

Aztec Rulers: Chimalpopoca, Third Tlatoani of Tenochtitlan

While it’s believed Chimalpopoca is the son of Huitzilihuitl, it’s possible his father was Acamapichtli, the first ruler of Tenochtitlan. His rule, from about 1417 to 1427, oversaw the building of a wooden aqueduct from Chapultepec into the city, as well as construction of a causeway to Tlacopan.

Militarily, Chimalpopoca kept the Mexica place as a vasal of the Tepanecs, whose ruler was Chimalpopoca’s maternal grandfather, Tezozomoc in the Tepanec capital of Azcapotzalco. After a war in 1418, the Mexica support of the Tepanecs was rewarded with the city of Texcoco. However, Chimalpopoca kindly allowed the ruler of Texcoco, the legendary Nezahualcoyotl, to live in Tenochtitlan rather than be exiled to the mountains.

His death is shrouded in intrigue as several narratives exist on the cause of his death. After fending off an attack by Coyoacan’s ruler, Maxtla, Chimalpopoca was taken hostage by the Tepanecs and taken to Azcapotzalco, where he died. Either by suicide, murdered by the Tepanecs or assassinated by his relative Itzcoatl, the next tlatoani. There seems to be some academic favor to the last option, given Chimalpopoca’s family tie to the Tepanecs. Although Itzcoatl was also the son of a different Tepanec woman, he did not have the loyalty of his half-brother/nephew to those people. Itzcoatl also had a much more grand vision for the Mexica.

Chimalpopoca dressed as the god Huitzilopochtli

Name: Chimalpopoca is a compound name of chimalli (shield) and poctli (smoke). His name is roughly smoking-shield.

Huitzilihuitl <<- Chimalpopca ->> Itzcoatl

Aztec Rulers: Huitzilihuitl, Second Ruler of Tenochtitlan

The second Tlatoani of Tenochtitlan, and the first that was born in the city, was Huitzilihuitl. He was the son of the first tlatoani, Acamapichtli, and a Mexica mother named Tezcatlan Miyahuatzin. He was born into a Mexica community still subject to the Tepanec people of Azcapotzalco. Before his death, Acamapichtli established the calpulli, a council of the four districts, that would not only consider the nobility, but ability of potential rulers. Huitzilihuitl was the first selected by this council.

He took the throne at about age 16, after the death of his father circa 1403, sources vary. Militarily, he aligned the Mexica with Azcapotzalco in their feud with Texcoco. During his reign he took several wives from other altepetls with an eye toward bolstering the Mexica nobility, including noblewomen from their Tepenec rulers in Tlacopan and Azcapotzalco. One of his wives was the daughter of the mighty Tezozomoc. Tenochtitlan profited greatly from these marriages, receiving gifts and reduced tribute levels. He died around 1417 with his son Chimalpopoca, succeeding him.

Huitzilihuitl pursued his father’s politics, building ties, slowly strengthening the city and army. His reign saw the spread of cotton weaving, elevating Mexica clothing from the courser maguey (agave) fabrics to the much softer cotton fabrics. His legacy would continue through his sons, including two future tlatoque, Chimalpopoca and Moctezuma Ilhuicamina, as well as the powerful advisor and shaper of Mexica politics and culture, Tlacaelel.

Florentine Codex: “Vitsivitl, fue el segundo senor de Tenochtitlan: el qual tuvo el senorio. Veynte e un anos: y el comenzo las guerras, y peleo con los de culhuacan.”
English: Vitsivitl, was the second lord of Tenochtitlan: the one who had dominion. Twenty and one years: and he began the wars, and fought with those of Culhuacan.

*Tlatoani Huitzilihuitl depicted in the Tovar Codex.*

Name: His name translates to hummingbird feather. In both of the images a green hummingbird can be seen representing his name. Next to his symbol is his name spelled in Latin characters.

Acamapichtli <<- Huitzilihuitl ->> Chimalpopca

Aztec Rulers, The First: Acamapichtli

The first Tlatoani of Tenochtitlan was a bit of a proto-Mexica, as the Mexica nation was just taking shape. After Tenoch had delivered the Mexica to the Valley of Mexico, they began the process of integrating with the other local polities of the Valley.

Acampichtli was a native of Texcoco, his mother was Culhua roylaty, but his father was a Mexica noble. The council, or calpultin, decided to select a ruler with ties throughout the valley to cement the political place of the newly established Tenochtitlan. So Acamapichtli was chosen and became the first Tlatoani of Tenochtitlan around 1382. The Mexica were then a minor newcomer in a place with thousands of years of history.

As a minor city the Mexica, and their Tlatelolca Mexica neighbors, fell into subjugation by Azcapotzalco, capital of the Tepanec people. Acampichtli had set the new Mexica city up to break free from subjugation. His son, Huitzilitzin, would move the city forward.

Acamapichtli’s Accomplishments:

• Built out the chinampa farming system

• Intermarried with numerous women from neighboring cultures to build family ties

• Created the four main neighborhoods of Tenochtitlan

• Great politician who established Tenochtitlan, politically, in the Valley

• Established a new royal line for Tenochtitlan with every subsequent ruler being a direct descendent until the Contact Period.