Tag: Tlatoani

What is today known as the Aztec Empire could be variously described as a cultural group of Nahuatl-speaking people, or as the political entity that ruled the majority of Nahua people, called the Triple Alliance. The Triple Alliance, in 1519, was made up of three “altepetls,” or something like city-states.These were the island city of Tenochtitlan, led by the famous Moctezuma; Tlacopan and Texcoco. Together these three altepetls shared the burden and bounty of their efforts.

While researching for the podcast, I came across a lack of information on the rulers of Tlacopan. So I looked into it. What I’ve found so far is murky. I’m sure if I had the time and access to go through the many codices I could find more, but in my sources, here’s what I came up with (Mostly from Alva Ixtlilxochitl and Duran):

Aculnahuacatl – The First Ruler of Tlacopan (1400-1430)

Installed as the ruler by his father Tezozomoc of Azcapotzalco, he is considered the first Tlatoani of Tlacopan, ruler of the Tepanec people. I only found one citation in Diego Duran, which describes his efforts in driving the Mexica tribe out of Tepanec lands to the West of Lake Texcoco. He is apparently the founder of the Tepanec nation centered in Tlacopan. Apparently the historian Chimalpahin lists his lineage and some other details.

Totoquihuatzli (Totoquihuatzin) – (1430-1469?)

Duran talks about him a lot and describes his presence at a planning meeting for the final version of the Templo Mayor, for which he obligated his people to build the backside. The seventh phase of the Templo Mayor was built in 1454. He was also known as a poet.

Chimalpopoca of Tlacopan – (1469-1489)

Not to be confused with the Mexica Tlatoani of the same name, he ruled from 1469 to 1489. I found lots of unsourced references to him, I did not find any actual references from sources.

Totoquihuaztin II (1489-1520)

*Totquihuatzin II, tlatoani of Tlacopan at the time when the Spanish arrived in Mexico.*

Most of the sources just name a Totoquihuatzli, so it’s possible there are multiple Totos. This would have been the ruler of Tlacopan when the Spanish arrived. There are a lot of conflicting dates and ambiguous use of names in the Tlacopan lineage. Duran lists a Totoquihuatzin as early as the renovation of the Templo Mayor, and as late as Moctezuma II’s coronation in 1502. One source (Duran) says he died shortly after Moctezuma II’s coronation.

Tetlepanquetzatzin (1520-1525)

He was the son of Totoquihuatzli II, and was baptized as Don Pedro Tetlepanquetzal. There seems to be the most certainty around Tetlepanquetzal. That’s because of his murder alongside the two other rulers of the Triple Alliance at the hands of Hernan Cortes. In 1521 he was captured while fleeing Tenochtitlan along with Tlatoani Chauahtemoc. They were tortured about the missing gold lost during the wars in Tenochtitlan. Tetlepanquetzal ruled Tlacopan from captivity and eventually was taken on an expedition with Cortes to Honduras. Cortes became paranoid of the rulers he had in tow and decided to have them killed. All three acting rulers of the Triple Alliance were hanged in 1525.

*The Torture of Cuauhtémoc, a nineteenth-century painting by Leandro Izaguirre. Presumably it is Tetlepanquetzal on the right.*

Don Antonio Cortes Totoquihuatzli (Colonial ruler)

He was the brother of Tetlepanquetzal and son of Totoquihuatzli II. He is best known for arguing for indigenous rights to the royal court of Charles.

Moctezuma represented in the Codex Mendoza.

Moctezuma Xocoyotzin had been raised to be head of the Aztec Empire and leader of the Mexica people. He had likely graduated from the Calmecac military academy and was an accomplished military leader, having proven himself as a commander. He was a faithful and knowledgeable religious man who took much weight in the signs and spirits.

His physical appearance was described by Diaz as slender and handsome, with straight dark hair to his ears with a slight black beard and slightly darker skin than the Spanish.

During his reign he expanded the Empire to the South and West and made reforms to the social class. In the end he sat atop a valley full of people tired of Mexica rule. Cortes used this animus to form allegiances and support networks that he leveraged against Moctezuma and the Mexica leaders in Tenochtitlan. Whether killed by the Spanish, or by a shower of stones and arrows from rebellious Tenochs, his death meant little for the end was already upon them.

Facts: Ninth Tlatoani of Tenochtitlan, and head of the Aztec Empire and the Triple Alliance w/ Texcoco and Tlacopan.

Name means “one who frowns in anger,” scowl?

Born 1466ish

Took the throne in 1502.

52 or 53 at time of conquest

Two main wives (Diaz). Many children, one wife was Tlapalizquixochtzin and the other Teotlalco, both princesses from Ecatepec.

Several children who went on to become nobility.

The Rulers of Tlacopan (Tacuba)

Who Was Moctezuma?