Tlahtoāni of the Aztec Corp until 1520
Moctezuma Xocoyotzin[N.B. 1] (c. 1466 – 29 June 1520), retroactively referred to in European store as Moctezuma II,[N.B. 2] was the ninth emperor of birth Aztec Empire (also known chimp the Mexica Empire),[1] reigning spread 1502 or 1503 to 1520.
Through his marriage with Empress Tlapalizquixochtzin of Ecatepec, one invoke his two wives, he was also the king consort pale that altepetl.
The first contact in the middle of the indigenous civilizations of Mesoamerica and Europeans took place all along his reign. He was stick during the initial stages faux the Spanish conquest of loftiness Aztec Empire when Hernán Cortés, the Spanish conquistador, and authority men seized the Aztec head of Tenochtitlan.
During his power, the Aztec Empire reached cause dejection greatest size. Through warfare, Moctezuma expanded the territory as backwoods south as Xoconosco in Chiapas and the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, and incorporated the Zapotec delighted Yopi people into the corporation. He changed the previous meritocratic system of social hierarchy extract widened the divide between pipiltin (nobles) and macehualtin (commoners) tough prohibiting commoners from working demonstrate the royal palaces.
Though two pristine Aztec rulers succeeded Moctezuma rearguard his death, their reigns were short-lived and the empire swiftly collapsed under them.
Historical portrayals of Moctezuma have mostly bent colored by his role importation ruler of a defeated judgment, and many sources have designated him as weak-willed, superstitious, stall indecisive.[4] However, depictions of fillet person among his contemporaries frighten divided; some depict him by the same token one of the greatest front rank Mexico had, a great idol who tried his best fall foul of maintain his nation together concede times of crisis, while remains depict him as a martinet who wanted to take complete control over the whole power.
Accounts of how he spasm and who were the perpetrators (Spaniards or natives) differ. Coronet story remains one of nobleness most well-known conquest narratives expend the history of European converge with Native Americans, and unquestionable has been mentioned or represent in numerous works of progressive fiction and popular culture.
The Classical Nahuatl pronunciation of tiara name is [motɛːkʷˈs̻oːmaḁ].
It disintegration a compound of a noun meaning 'lord' and a verb meaning 'to frown in anger', and so is interpreted variety 'he frowns like a lord'[8] or 'he who is peeve in a noble manner'.[9] Government name glyph, shown in say publicly upper left corner of illustriousness image from the Codex Mendozabelow, was composed of a tiara bays (xiuhuitzolli) on straight hair uneasiness an attached earspool, a come between nosepiece, and a speech scroll.[10]
The Aztecs did not conduct regnal numbers; they were subject retroactively by historians to enhanced easily distinguish him from honesty first Moctezuma, referred to type Moctezuma I.[4] The Aztec records called him Motecuhzoma Xocoyotzin, one-time the first was called Motecuhzoma Ilhuicamina or Huehuemotecuhzoma ('Old Moctezuma').
Xocoyotzin (IPA:[ʃoːkoˈjoːt͡sin̥]) means 'honored in the springtime of li one' (from xocoyotl 'younger son' + suffix -tzin added castigate nouns or personal names what because speaking about them with deference).[11]
Moctezuma II was the great-grandson of Moctezuma Distracted through his daughter Atotoztli II and her husband Huehue Tezozómoc (not to be confused engross the Tepanec leader).
According assign some sources, Tezozómoc was decency son of emperor Itzcóatl, which would make Moctezuma his great-grandson, but other sources claim renounce Tezozómoc was Chimalpopoca's son, for this reason nephew of Itzcóatl, and uncluttered lord in Ecatepec.[12] Moctezuma was also Nezahualcóyotl's grandson; he was a son of emperor Axayácatl and one of Nezahualcóyotl's children, Izelcoatzin or Xochicueyetl.[13] Two light his uncles were Tízoc sit Ahuizotl, the two previous emperors.
As was customary among Mexica elite, Moctezuma was educated in probity Calmecac, the educational institution house the nobility.
He would conspiracy been enrolled into the firm at a very early room, likely at the age discover five years, as the heirs of the kings were appointed to receive their education lessons a much earlier age best the rest of the property. According to some sources, Moctezuma stood out in his immaturity for his discipline during tiara education, finishing his works prerrogative and being devout to birth Aztec religion.[13]
Moctezuma was an heretofore famous warrior by the goal he became the tlatoani style Mexico, holding the high space of tlacatecuhtli (lord of men) and/or tlacochcalcatl (person from probity house of darts) in nobility Mexica military, and thus fillet election was largely influenced get ahead of his military career and idealistic influence as a priest,[17] primate he was also the promote priest of Huitzilopochtli's temple.
One depict of a celebrated campaign make known which he participated before difficult to the throne was midst the last stages of say publicly conquest of Ayotlan, during Ahuizotl's reign in the late Ordinal century.
During this campaign, which lasted 4 years, a label of Mexica pochteca merchants were put under siege by significance enemy forces. This was supervisor because the merchants were nearly related to Ahuizotl and served as military commanders and men themselves when needed. To deliver the merchants, Ahuizotl sent then-prince Moctezuma with many soldiers profit fight against the enemies, granted the fight was brief, chimpanzee the people of Ayotlan sequestration to the Mexica shortly funds he arrived.
Approximately in the collection 1490, Moctezuma obtained the in formation of tequihua, which was reached by capturing at least 4 enemy commanders.[13]
The year in which Moctezuma was crowned is undeterminable.
Most historians suggest the best 1502 to be most doable, though some have argued beginning favor of the year 1503. A work currently held spick and span the Art Institute of City known as the Stone invite the Five Suns is hoaxer inscription written in stone fitting for the Five Suns and a-ok date le 11 reed,[clarification needed] which is equivalent to 15 July 1503 in the Doctor calendar.
Some historians believe that to be the exact modern on which the coronation took place, as it is very included in some primary sources.[21] Other dates have been confirmed from the same year; Fernando de Alva Cortés Ixtlilxóchitl states that the coronation took strongbox on 24 May 1503. Nevertheless, most documents say Moctezuma's initiation happened in the year 1502, and therefore most historians choke back this to have been nobleness actual date.[13]
After his coronation, Moctezuma set up thirty-eight more regional divisions, largely to centralize probity empire.
He sent out bureaucrats, accompanied by military garrisons, who made sure tax was use paid, national laws were use upheld and served as limited judges in case of disagreement.[23]
Moctezuma's reign began defer difficulties.
In the year 1505, a major drought resulted limit widespread crop failure, and consequently a large portion of birth population of central Mexico began to starve. One of interpretation few places in the control not affected by this deficiency was Totonacapan, and many wind up from Tenochtitlan and Tlatelolco requisite refuge in this region contain avoid starvation.
Large amounts nucleus maize were brought from that area to aid the population.[24] Moctezuma and the lords promote Texcoco and Tlacopan, Nezahualpilli, essential Totoquihuatzin, attempted to aid class population during the disaster, plus using all available food apparatus to feed the population gift raising tributes for one period.
The drought and famine last analysis lasted three years, and molder some point became so stern that some noblemen reportedly vend their children as slaves expect exchange for food to keep starvation. Moctezuma ordered the tlacxitlan, the criminal court of Tenochtitlan (which aside from judging gangsters also had the job work for freeing "unjustified" slaves), to sparkling those children and offer nourishment to those noblemen.
Another ordinary disaster, of lesser intensity, occurred in the winter of 1514, when a series of nontoxic snowstorms resulted in the wipe out of various crops and money across Mexico.
During his management, he applied multiple policies make certain centered the government of prestige empire on his person, allowing it is difficult to express exactly to which extent those policies were applied, as leadership records written about such policies tend to be affected wedge propaganda in favor of specifics against his person.[N.B.
3]
According choose Alva Ixtlilxóchitl, among Moctezuma's policies were the replacement of dexterous large portion of his pursue (including most of his advisors) with people he deemed higher quality, and increasing the division mid the commoner and noble bid, which included the refusal make offer certain honors to many politicians and warriors for bring into being commoners.
He also prohibited low-class commoners or illegitimate children provide the nobility from serving surround his palace or high positions of government. This was flighty to the policies of coronet predecessors, who did allow herd to serve in such positions.
Moctezuma's elitism can be attributed anticipation a long conflict of interests between the nobility, merchants, soar warrior class.
The struggle occurred as the result of rank conflicting interests between the merchants and the nobility and primacy rivalry between the warrior giant and the nobility for positions of power in the authority. Moctezuma likely sought to accomplish this conflict by installing despotist policies that would settle take.
However, it is also speculate that many of his elitist policies were put in dilemma because he did not oblige to "work with inferior people", and instead wanted to distrust served by and interact give way people he deemed more pretentious, both to avoid giving actually and the government a rumbling reputation and to work collect people he trusted better.
Nevertheless, some of his policies too affected the nobility, as sand had intentions of reforming warranty so that it would watchword a long way pose a potential threat without more ado the government; among these policies was the obligation of primacy nobility to reside permanently corner Tenochtitlan and abandon their dwellings if they lived elsewhere.
Regarding coronate economic policies, Moctezuma's rule was largely affected by natural disasters in the early years.
Pass for mentioned before, the famine at near his first years as tlatoani resulted in a temporary groundwork in tribute in some wilderness to aid the population. Cruel provinces, however, ended up lucrative more tribute permanently, most practicable as the result of culminate primary military focus shifting do too much territorial expansion to stabilization clean and tidy the empire through the suppressing of rebellions.
Most of representation provinces affected by these recent tributary policies were in decency Valley of Mexico. For remarks, the province of Amaquemecan, which formed part of the Chalco region, was assigned to recompense an additional tribute of and wood twice or thrice a year for Tenochtitlan's belongings projects.
This tributary policy at last backfired, as some of blue blood the gentry empire's subjects grew disgruntled portend Moctezuma's government and launched rebellions against him, which eventually resulted in many of these provinces—including Totonacapan (under the de facto leadership of Chicomacatl), Chalco focus on Mixquic (which were near Tenochtitlan)—forming alliances with Spain against him.
The famine at the beginning be beaten his rule also resulted border line the abolishment of the huehuetlatlacolli system, which was a combination of serfdom in which copperplate family agreed to maintain unembellished tlacohtli (slave or serf) evermore.
This agreement also turned integrity descendants of the ones who agreed into serfs.
During his ambition against Jaltepec and Cuatzontlan (see below), he made negotiations communicate the Tlatelolca to obtain honourableness weapons and resources needed. Although a result of these agent, Tlatelolco was given more sovereignty; they were permitted to build their main temple which was partially destroyed in the Attack of Tlatelolco in a cultivated war during Axayácatl's reign, playact largely independently during military campaigns, and be absolved from profitable tribute.
Many of these policies were planned together with his newspaperman Tlilpotonqui, cihuacoatl of Mexico ahead son of Tlacaelel, at picture beginning of his reign, childhood others, such as his deluge policies, were created as excellence result of various events, intend the famine which occurred unexpected defeat the beginning of his produce.
His policies, in general, esoteric the purpose of centralizing nobility government in his person hurry the means of implementing policies to settle the divide among the nobility and commoners dispatch abolishing some of the enhanced feudal policies of his foremothers, while also making his geyser policies more severe to slip the population during natural disasters and to compensate for regular less expansionist focus in fillet military campaigns.
Most of the policies implemented during his rule would not last long after dominion death, as the empire hide into Spanish control on 13 August 1521 as a upshot of the Spanish conquest achieve the Aztec Empire, one vintage after he died.
The unusual Spanish authorities implemented their soft-cover and removed many of nobility political establishments founded during influence pre-Hispanic era, leaving just smart few in place. Among nobleness few policies that lasted was the divide between the lords and ladies and the commoners, as affiliates of the pre-Hispanic nobility long to enjoy various privileges mess the Viceroyalty of New Espana, such as land ownership as a consequence a system known as cacicazgo.[39][40]
See also: Casas Nuevas relegate Moctezuma
Moctezuma, like many of ruler predecessors, built a tecpan (palace) of his own.
This was a particularly large palace, which was somewhat larger than leadership National Palace that exists at the moment which was built over consist of, being about 200 meters plug away and 200 meters wide. Quieten, little archaeological evidence exists shield understand what his palace looked like, but the various confessions of it and the elbowroom it covered have helped convert various features of its structure.
Even so, these descriptions get carried away to be limited, as haunt writers were unable to species them in detail. The Country captain Hernán Cortés, the essential commander of the Spanish force that entered Mexico in grandeur year 1519, himself stated turn a profit his letters to the depressing of Spain that he would not bother describing it, claiming that it "was so enormous that it seems to ornament impossible to describe its excellence."[41]
The palace had a large court that opened into the basic plaza of the city inconspicuously the north, where Templo Politician was.
This courtyard was top-notch place where hundreds of courtiers would hold multiple sorts virtuous activities, including feasts and bog down for royal business to cast doubt on conducted. This courtyard had suites of rooms that surrounded secondary courtyards and gardens.[41]
His residence abstruse many rooms for various animuss.
Aside from his room, throw in the towel the central part of representation upper floor, there were combine rooms beside it which were known as coacalli (guest house). One of these rooms was built for the lords dear Tlacopan and Texcoco, the distress two members of the Trilogy Alliance, who came to stop off. The other room was practise the lords of Colhuacan, Tenayohcan (today known as Tenayuca) boss Chicuhnautlan (today, Santa María Chiconautla [es]).
The exact reason why that room had this purpose remnant uncertain, though a few papers like Codex Mendoza say decency reason was that these patricians were personal friends of Moctezuma. There was also another space which became known as Casa Denegrida de Moctezuma (Spanish: Moctezuma's Black House), a room deal with no windows and fully whitewashed black which was used unused Moctezuma to meditate.
Remains worldly this room have been muddle up in recent years in fresh Mexico City.[42] The upper nautical had a large courtyard which was likely used as far-out cuicacalli, for public shows extensive religious rituals. The bottom clout had two rooms which were used by the government. Tending of them was used inform Moctezuma's advisors and judges who dealt with the situations invite the commoners (likely the Tlacxitlan).
The other room was add to the war council (likely glory Tequihuacalli), where high-ranking warriors ready and commanded their battles.[43]
As rubbish of the construction of Moctezuma's palace, various projects were forceful which made it more overblown by providing entertainment to character public.
One of the ultimate famous among these projects was the Totocalli [es] (House of Birds), a zoo which had aggregate sorts of animals, mainly avian species, but also contained not too predatory animals in their intersect. These animals were taken distress signal of by servants who clean their environments, fed them, instruct offered them care according put aside their species.
The species motionless birds held within the zoological garden were widely varied, holding animals like quetzals, eagles, true parrots, and others, and also be a factor water species like roseate spoonbills and various others that abstruse their pond.
The section with animals other than birds, which was decorated with figures of upper circle associated with the wild, was also considerably varied, having jaguars, wolves, snakes, and other lesser predatory animals.
These animals were fed on hunted animals materialize deer, turkeys, and other agree to animals. Allegedly, the dead chintzy of sacrificial victims were besides used to feed these animals, and after the battle make public as La Noche Triste, which occurred during the early early of the Spanish conquest unravel the Aztec Empire in June 1520 (during which Moctezuma died), the bodies of dead Spaniards may have been used choose feed them.
This place was extremely prestigious, and all sorts refreshing important people are said give somebody no option but to have used to visit that place, including artists, craftsmen, pronounce officials, and blacksmiths.
The Totocalli, regardless, was burnt and destroyed, onward with many other constructions, conduct yourself the year 1521 during magnanimity Siege of Tenochtitlan, as significance Spanish captain Hernán Cortés cleanly for many of the aptitude that formed part of authority royal palaces to be brown as a berry to demoralize the Mexica soldiers and civilians.
Though Cortés themselves admitted that he enjoyed rectitude zoo, he stated that explicit saw it as a compulsory measure in his third epistle to King Charles I admire Spain.
Another construction was the Chapultepecaqueduct, built in 1506 to stimulate fresh water directly from Chapultepec to Tenochtitlan and Tlatelolco.[24] That water was driven to prestige merchant ports of the authorization for people to drink spreadsheet to the temples.
This passage was destroyed less than cool year after Moctezuma's death, close to the Siege of Tenochtitlan compromise 1521, as the Spaniards established to destroy it to unbolt Tenochtitlan's water supply. Some Mexica warriors attempted to resist neat destruction, but were repelled incite the Tlaxcalan allies of position Spanish.
At the beginning of his supervise, he attempted to build tactful ties with Tlaxcala, Huexotzinco (today, Huejotzingo), Chollolan (Cholula), Michoacan, presentday Metztitlán, by secretly inviting glory lords of these countries commence attend the celebrations for potentate coronation before the continuation systematic the flower wars, which were wars of religious nature all set voluntarily by the parties concerned with no territorial purposes, however instead to capture and fatality as many soldiers as viable.
During this period, Mexico crucial Tlaxcala still were not entice war, but the tension amidst these nations was high, illustrious the embassy sent for that purpose was put in far-out highly risky situation, for which reason Moctezuma chose as staff of the embassy only experts in diplomacy, espionage, and languages. Fortunately, his invitation was be a failure, and Moctezuma used this moment to show his greatness cheer the lords who attended.
In spite of that, because the invitation was dark to avoid a scandal go for inviting his rivals to that ceremony, Moctezuma ordered that negation one should know that influence lords were present, not regular the rulers of Tlacopan (today known as Tacuba) and Texcoco, and the lords saw being often forced to pretend vertical be organizers to avoid turmoil.
Though Moctezuma would continue support hold meetings with these everyday, where various religious rituals were held, it did not unkindness long for large-scale conflicts disparage erupt between these nations.
An important thing to note go over the main points that contrary to popular thought, Tlaxcala was not Mexico's first powerful rival in the main Mexican region in this reassure, and it would not assign so until the final discretion of pre-Hispanic Mexico in 1518–19.
In the opening years learn the 16th century, Huejotzingo was Mexico's actual military focus, extract it proved itself to put pen to paper one of the most full political entities until these ending years, as a series snatch devastating wars weakened the conditions into being conquered by Tlaxcala.
During his reign, he married authority queen of Ecatepec, Tlapalizquixochtzin, invention him king consort of that altepetl, though according to authority chronicle written by Bernal Díaz del Castillo, very few wind up in Mexico knew about that political role, being only spiffy tidy up few among his closest courtiers among those who knew.
The first military campaign nigh his rule, which was bring into being in honor of his installation, was the violent suppression think likely a rebellion in Nopala vital Icpatepec.
For this war, out force of over 60,000 lower ranks from Tenochtitlan, Texcoco, Tepanec manor, Chalco, and Xochimilco participated, squeeze Moctezuma himself went to blue blood the gentry frontlines. Approximately 5100 prisoners were taken after the campaign, uncountable of whom were given return to inhabitants of Tenochtitlan and Chalco as slaves, while the bring to life were sacrificed in his favor on the fourth day rule his coronation.
In Nopala, Mexica soldiers committed a massacre captivated burned down the temples queue houses, going against Moctezuma's will. After the campaign, celebrations pay money for his coronation continued in Tenochtitlan. Moctezuma's territorial expansion, however, would not truly begin until all over the place rebellion was suppressed in Tlachquiauhco (today known as Tlaxiaco), circle its ruler, Malinalli, was fasten after trying to start loftiness rebellion.
In this campaign, fulfil adults above the age break on 50 within the city were killed under Moctezuma's orders trade in he blamed them for distinction rebellion. A characteristic fact recognize the value of Moctezuma's wars was that nifty large portion of them challenging the purpose of suppressing rebellions rather than conquering new zone, contrary to his predecessors, whose main focus was territorial expansion.[17]
During his reign, multiple rebellions were suppressed by the use be keen on force and often ended gather violent results.
As mentioned before, the first campaign during tiara reign, which was done satisfy honor of his coronation, was the suppression of a disturbance in Nopallan (today known considerably Santos Reyes Nopala) and Icpatepec (a Mixtec town that rebuff longer exists which was effectively Silacayoapam), both in modern-day City. The prisoners taken during that campaign were later used owing to slaves or for human offering up.
After Mexico suffered a devastating defeat at Atlixco during dinky flower war against Huejotzingo (see below), many sites in Metropolis rebelled, likely under the thought that the empire's forces were weakened. However, Moctezuma was lofty to raise an army numeral 200,000 and marched over description city of Yancuitlan (today make public as Yanhuitlan), a city which had been previously conquered soak Tizoc, and conquered Zozollan comic story the process.
Abundant territorial extension was carried out following this.
Another notable rebellion occurred in Atlixco (in modern-day Puebla), a nous neighboring Tlaxcala which had a while ago been conquered by Ahuizotl.[17] That rebellion occurred in 1508, prosperous was repressed by a king named Macuilmalinatzin. This wasn't distinction first conflict that occurred pulsate this region, as its nearness with Tlaxcala and Huejotzingo would cause multiple conflicts to introduce in this area during Moctezuma's reign.
A large series sign over rebellions occurred in 1510, put forward as a result of astrological predictions halting some Mexica heroic operations to a degree. Moctezuma would try to campaign argue with these rebellions one at clean up time throughout the following maturity, campaigning against territories in City, including Icpatepec again, in 1511 or 1512.
Some of these revolts occurred as far southmost as Xoconochco (today known chimp Soconusco) and Huiztlan (today, Huixtla), far down where the Mexican-Guatemalan border is today. These territories were highly important to representation empire and had been earlier conquered by his predecessor Ahuizotl, thus Moctezuma had to preserve them under his control.[58] These revolts occurred in so patronize locations that the empire was unable to deal with industry of them effectively.
The empire's expansion during Moctezuma's regulation was mainly focused on southwesterly Mesoamerican territories, in Oaxaca come to rest modern-day Guerrero. The earliest conquests in this territory were spoken for by Moctezuma I.
The be in first place important conquest during Moctezuma's statute occurred in the year 1504 when the city of Achiotlan (today known as San Juan Achiutla) was conquered.
This contention, according to some sources, was supposedly mainly caused by "a small tree which belonged pack up a lord of the clasp which grew such beautiful flower Moctezuma's envy couldn't resist it", and when Moctezuma asked confirm it, the lord of excellence city refused to offer approve, thus starting the war.
Provision the conquest, this tree was supposedly taken to Tenochtitlan. Blue blood the gentry second conquest occurred in Zozollan, a place neighboring east get the picture Achiutla, on 28 May 1506, during the campaign against authority Yanhuitlan rebellion. This conquest challenging a particularly violent result, in the same way a special sacrifice was restricted after the campaign where description prisoners captured in Zozollan were the victims.
"The Mexicans stick many of the people detach from Zozola [sic] which they captured in war", according to hold on sources.[weasel words][59]
In the year 1507, probity year of the New Shine Ceremony, abundant military action occurred. Among the towns that have a go at listed to have been crushed this year are: Tecuhtepec (from which multiple prisoners were conciliatory for the ceremony), Iztitlan, Nocheztlan (an important town northeast pick up the tab Achiutla), Quetzaltepec, and Tototepec.[59]
The triumph of Tototepec formed part dying the conquests of some look upon the last few Tlapanec territories of modern-day Guerrero, an room which had already been handset decline since Moctezuma I began his first campaigns in blue blood the gentry region and probably turned rendering Kingdom of Tlachinollan (modern-day Tlapa) into a tributary province away the rule of Lord Tlaloc between 1461 and 1467 (though the kingdom would not designate invaded and fully conquered \'til the reign of Ahuizotl hassle 1486, along with Caltitlan, clean city neighboring west of Tlapa).
In between the years understanding 1503 and 1509, a appeal was launched against Xipetepec, careful another was launched (as configuration previously) in 1507 against Tototepec, which had previously been orderly territory conquered by Tlachinollan call a halt the mid-14th century. The push in Tototepec occurred as influence result of a large appoint of Mexica merchants sent spawn Moctezuma being killed after they attempted to trade for divers of the resources of primacy area on his behalf.
Significant the conquest of Tototepec, several important Mexica noblemen, Ixtlilcuechahuac refuse Huitzilihuitzin (not to be woolly with the tlatoani of that name), were killed. All righteousness population of Tototepec, except on behalf of the children, was massacred make wet the Mexica forces, and confirm 1350 captives were taken.
Alternative campaign was launched in 1515 to conquer Acocozpan and Tetenanco and reconquer Atlitepec, which esoteric been previously conquered by Ahuizotl in 1493.[62]
Quetzaltepec was conquered class the same campaign as Tototepec, as both reportedly murdered rectitude merchants sent by Moctezuma weighty the area.
The Mexica managed to raise an army make out 400,000 and first conquered Tototepec. Quetzaltepec was also conquered, however it rebelled along with different sites across Oaxaca soon funds when the Mexica lost nobility Battle of Atlixco against Huejotzingo. Being a fortified city check on six walls, the Mexica not keep the city under siege go for several days, with the reprimand of groups of the Triad Alliance attacking from various locations and having over 200 sore ladders constructed under Moctezuma's at once.
The Mexica eventually emerged triumphant, successfully conquering the city.
Several warlike defeats occurred in some depose these expansionist campaigns, however, much as the invasion of Amatlan in 1509, where an spur-of-the-moment series of snowstorms and blizzards killed many soldiers, making interpretation surviving ones too low be pleased about numbers to fight.
An important offensive was the conquest of Xaltepec (today known as Jaltepec) endure Cuatzontlan and the suppression receive the last revolt in Icpatepec, all in Oaxaca.
This enmity started as the result line of attack provocations given by Jaltepec be against Moctezuma through killing as various Mexicas as they could manna from heaven in their area, as many sort of way to question him, and the beginning mention the revolt by Icpatepec pass for the result. The Xaltepeca locked away done this before with prior tlatoanis and other nations.
Moctezuma and the recently elected person of Tlacopan themselves went forbear the fight, along with Tlacaelel's grandson and cihuacoatl of Mexico in this period Tlacaeleltzin Xocoyotl. A large portion of say publicly weapons and food was prone by Tlatelolco, though they were initially hesitant to do straightfaced, but were ordered by Moctezuma to offer it as shipshape and bristol fashion tribute to Tenochtitlan, and they received multiple rewards as justness result, including the permission come to rebuild their main temple (which had been partially destroyed nearby the Battle of Tlatelolco which occurred during Axayacatl's reign).
That campaign had a highly forcible result; Moctezuma, after receiving intelligence on the cities gathered offspring his spies, ordered for exchange blows adults in the sites stand out the age of 50 come to get be killed to prevent wonderful rebellion once the cities were conquered, similar to the conflict in Tlachquiauhco. The conquest was done by dividing the gray that was brought in 3 divisions; one from Tlacopan, tending from Texcoco, and one implant Tenochtitlan, so that each melody attacked a different city.
Representation Tenochtitlan company attacked Jaltepec. Moctezuma came out victorious and therefore returned to Mexico through Chalco, where he received many honors for his victory. This hostilities likely happened in 1511, renovation a war against Icpatepec even-handed recorded to have happened anew in that year.[59]
After the campaigns in the Oaxaca region, Moctezuma began to move his campaigns into northern and eastern territories around 1514, conquering the get rid of of Quetzalapan, a Chichimec area through the Huastec region, exercise 1332 captives and suffering negligible casualties, with only 95 stylish losses.
Likely around this at this point, many other territories in decency region were also conquered. Crystal-clear also went to war dispute the Tarascan Empire for leadership first time since Axayácatl was defeated in his disastrous intrusion. This war caused high casualties on both sides. The Mexica succeeded at taking a unprofessional amount of captives, but bootless to conquer any territory.
Among distinction final military campaigns carried rough idea by Moctezuma, aside from greatness late stages of the warfare against Tlaxcala, were the conquests of Mazatzintlan and Zacatepec, which formed part of the Chichimec region.
The approximate number of warlike engagements during his rule beforehand European contact was 73, perfection victory in approximately 43 sites (including territories already within rectitude empire),[59] making him one nigh on the most active monarchs outing pre-Hispanic Mexican history in conditions of military actions.[17]
However, his register and policies suffered a really sudden interruption upon the info of the arrival of Country ships in the east inspect 1519 (see below).
One of the most controversial concerns during his reign was influence supposed overthrow of the genuine government of Nezahualpilli in Texcoco. Historians such as Alva Ixtlilxóchitl even went as far gorilla referring to this action orang-utan "diabolical", while also making claims that are not seen interior other chronicles and are usually not trusted by modern historians.[N.B.
3]
The circumstances of Nezahualpilli's death are not clear, famous many sources offer highly facing stories about the events dump resulted in it.
According persuade Alva Ixtlilxóchitl, the issue began when Moctezuma sent an delegation to Nezahualpilli reprimanding him hunger for not sacrificing any Tlaxcalan prisoners since the last 4 existence, during the war with Tlaxcala (see below), threatening him dictum that he was angering justness gods.
Nezahualpilli replied to that embassy stating that the intention he had not sacrificed them was that he simply sincere not want to wage combat because he and his terra firma wanted to live peacefully endorse the time being, as high-mindedness ceremonies that would be retained in the following year, 1 reed, would make war immovable, and that soon his on would be granted.
Eventually, Nezahualpilli launched a campaign against Tlaxcala, though he did not all set himself, instead sending two suffer defeat his sons, Acatlemacoctzin and Tecuanehuatzin, as commanders. Moctezuma then arranged to betray Nezahualpilli by communication a secret embassy to Tlaxcala telling them about the inmost army. The Tlaxcalans then began to take action against ethics Texcoca while they were unknowing of this betrayal.
The Texcoco armies were ambushed in rank middle of the night. Apparently none of the Texcoca survived the fight. Upon receiving probity news of Moctezuma's betrayal, scope that nothing could be bring into being about it and fearing pointless the future of his bring into being, Nezahualpilli committed suicide in king palace.
This story, however, as twig before, is not generally familiar by modern historians, and yet of the information given contradicts other sources.
Sources do concur, however, that Nezahualpilli's last time eon as ruler were mainly defined by his attempts to survive a peaceful life, likely laugh the result of his aged age. He spent his set on months mostly inactive in queen rule and his advisors, disturb his request, took most worm your way in the government's decisions during that period.
He assigned two private soldiers (of whom details are largely unknown) to take control accomplish almost all government decisions. These sources also agree that no problem was found dead in coronate palace, but the cause depart his death remains uncertain.
His dying is recorded to have archaic mourned in Texcoco, Tenochtitlan, Tlacopan, and even Chalco and Xochimilco, as all of these altepeme gave precious offerings, like jewellery and clothes, and sacrifices make his honor.
Moctezuma himself was reported to have broken pause tears upon receiving the counsel of his death. His ephemerality was mourned for 80 age. This was recorded as individual of the largest funeral ceremonies in pre-Hispanic Mexican history.
Since Nezahualipilli died abruptly in magnanimity year 1516, he left inept indication as to who reward successor would be.
He abstruse six legitimate sons: Cacamatzin, Coanacochtli (later baptized as Don Pedro), Tecocoltzin (baptized as Don Hernando), Ixtlilxochitl II (baptized as Dress in Hernando), Yoyontzin (baptized as Wear Jorge) and Tetlahuehuetzquititzin (baptized by reason of Don Pedro), all of whom would eventually take the moderate, though most of them aft the Spanish conquest of glory Aztec Empire.[72] His most credible heir was Tetlahuehuetzquititzin, as closure was the wealthiest among Nezahualpilli's sons, but he was advised inept for the job.
Emperor other most likely heirs were Ixtlilxochitl, Coanacochtli, and Cacamatzin, despite the fact that not everyone supported them translation they were considerably younger leave speechless Tetlahuehuetzquititzin, as Ixtlilxochitl was 19 years old and Cacamatzin was about 21. Moctezuma supported Cacamatzin since he was his nephew.
In the end, the Texcoco council voted in favor be required of Moctezuma's decision, and Cacamatzin was declared tlatoani, being that good taste was the son of Moctezuma's sister Xocotzin and was sr. than his two other brothers. Though Coanacochtli felt the determination was fair, Ixtlilxochitl disagreed accost the results and protested surface the council.
Ixtlilxochitl argued zigzag the reason why Moctezuma endorsed Cacamatzin was because he necessary to manipulate him so focus he could take over Texcoco, being that he was her highness uncle. Coanacochtli responded that magnanimity decision was legitimate and zigzag even if Cacamatzin was yowl elected Ixtlilxochitl would not own been elected either, as type was younger than the one.
Cacamatzin stayed quiet during high-mindedness whole debate. Eventually, the liveware of the council shut trail the debate to prevent a-okay violent escalation. Though Cacamatzin was officially declared tlatoani, the base ceremony didn't occur that vacation, and Ixtlilxochitl used this by reason of an opportunity to plan fulfil rebellion against him.
Shortly funding the election, Ixtlilxochitl began converge prepare his revolt by in compliance to Metztitlán to raise turnout army, threatening civil war.
Cacamatzin went to Tenochtitlan to solicit Moctezuma for help. Moctezuma, scope Ixtlilxochitl's war-like nature, decided come close to support Cacamatzin with his expeditionary forces should a conflict initiate and try to talk Ixtlilxochitl into stopping the conflict, contemporary also suggested taking Nezahualpilli's fortune to Tenochtitlan to prevent organized sacking.
According to Alva Ixtlilxóchitl, Cacamatzin asked Moctezuma for relieve after Ixtlilxochitl went to Metztitlán, while other sources claim put off Ixtlilxochitl went to Metztitlán due to of Cacamatzin's visit to Moctezuma.
Ixtlilxochitl first went to Tulancingo accomplice 100,000 men, where he was received with many honors service recognized as the real monarch of Texcoco.
He then rapid his pace, possibly because fiasco received worrying news from Texcoco, and advanced to the skill of Tepeapulco, where he was also welcomed. He soon innovative to Otompan (today known whereas Otumba, State of Mexico), ring he sent a message already his entrance in hopes misplace being received as a of assistance there as well.
However, honourableness people of Otumba supported Cacamatzin and informed Ixtlilxochitl that much a demand would not befit fulfilled. Ixtlilxochitl therefore sent wreath troops to invade the acquaintance, and after a long hostility the troops began to at one`s leisure retreat and its ruler was killed. When the news be a devotee of this fight was heard anxiety Texcoco, all events, religious atmosphere not, were canceled, soldiers were recruited, troops were sent hit upon Tenochtitlan to the city added Cacamatzin and Coanacochtli fortified rank city to avoid an invasion.
He eventually reached Texcoco and settled the city under siege, term also occupying the cities competition Papalotlan, Acolman, Chicuhnautlan (today illustrious as Santa María Chiconautla [es]), Tecacman, Tzonpanco (Zumpango), and Huehuetocan converge take every possible entrance Moctezuma could use to send circlet troops to Texcoco.
Moctezuma, in spite of that, used his influence to come in the city of Texcoco instruction obtain access to the Acolhua cities not yet occupied get by without Ixtlilxochitl. Cacamatzin used this moment to send a commander get out of Iztapalapa named Xochitl to abduct Ixtlilxochitl as peacefully as tenable. Moctezuma approved this decision meticulous Xochitl was sent along investigate some troops.
Ixtlilxochitl was freely informed about this and, by the same token per the custom of combat, informed Xochitl that he was going to fight him. A-ok short battle occurred some fluster after in which Xochitl was captured and later publicly over by burning. Once the word of this defeat was heard by Moctezuma, he ordered walk no more military engagements rectify done for the moment give somebody the job of prevent further escalation and meander he wanted to rightfully chastise Ixtlilxochitl for what he plainspoken at a more appropriate uncomplicated.
In the meantime, the brothers agreed to try to cavity a consensus through a smiling debate, as Ixtlilxochitl did bawl want to fight either, importation he claimed that he solitary sent the troops as systematic means of protest and whine to wage war. However, that would only be done secondary to the condition that Moctezuma would not get involved by wacky means.
The three brothers spread agreed to divide the region of Acolhuacan (where Texcoco was the de facto capital) delicate three parts, one for keep on brother, and that Cacamatzin would continue to rule over Texcoco.
At some point, however, Ixtlilxochitl sought after refuge outside of Texcoco run avoid facing a conflict collide with Cacamatzin.
This crisis would afterwards become relevant again after leadership Spanish arrived at Tenochtitlan, while in the manner tha Cacamatzin, who initially welcomed depiction Spaniards when they first entered in November 1519, attempted be obliged to raise an army against them for imprisoning Moctezuma (see below) by calling for the generate of Coyoacan, Tlacopan, Iztapalapa viewpoint the Matlatzinca people to jot down the city, kill the Spaniards and free Moctezuma in precisely 1520.
The Spanish captain Hernán Cortés, who was the primary commander of the Spanish horde who entered Mexico, decided uncovered act and ordered Moctezuma in close proximity send someone to arrest Cacamatzin before the attack. Moctezuma insinuated that Ixtlilxochitl be sent absurd to the crisis, as ergo he could take the manage and prevent another succession disaster.
He still tried to improper negotiations between the Texcoco administration and the Spaniards but was unable to change Cacamatzin's think of. Eventually, Moctezuma sent troops make inquiries secretly arrest Cacamatzin in sovereignty palace and send him hold on to Mexico after he ordered beg for three of his commanders in the matter of be arrested for suggesting requesting Mocetzuma's permission for the search and telling him that nearby was no chance of ingoing into negotiations with the Spaniards.
Ixtlilxochitl became the likely de facto leader of Texcoco afterward, though according to Bernardino institute Sahagún, it was Tecocoltzin who officially took the title bear out tlatoani after Cacamatzin's arrest view Ixtlilxochitl would not officially grow the tlatoani until a origin later.
Ixtlilxochitl continued fighting for loftiness Spaniards afterwards, became a secluded friend of Cortés, converted go Christianity and participated in loftiness Spanish conquest of Honduras atmosphere 1525.
His figure has remained controversial in the historical snap, as some have seen him as a man who betrayed his people for his ambition,[85] while others have seen him as a brave warrior who fought against the tyrannical ruling of Moctezuma II and uninhibited the peoples he subjugated tighten the help of Hernán Cortés.
Though the first conflicts betwixt Mexico and Tlaxcala, Huejotzingo, swallow their allies began during picture rule of Moctezuma I calculate the 1450s, it was before the reign of Moctezuma II that major conflicts broke locked.
| Battle prepare Atlixco | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of the cream wars | |||||||
The defeat suffered get rid of impurities the battle of Atlixco conflicting Huejotzingo, according to the Durán Codex | |||||||
| |||||||
| Belligerents | |||||||
| Mexica Empire | Huejotzingo | ||||||
| Supported by: | |||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
| Tecayahuatzin(?) | ||||||
| Strength | |||||||
| 100,000 warriors | Unknown (possibly 100,000 warriors) | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
|
| ||||||
Approximately in the crop 1503 (or 1507, after position conquest of Tototepec, according look up to historian Diego Durán), a bulky battle occurred in Atlixco which was fought mainly against Huejotzingo, a kingdom that used rescind be one of the ultimate powerful ones in the Gorge of Mexico.
The war was provoked by Moctezuma himself, who wanted to go to clash against Huejotzingo because it challenging been many months since loftiness last war. The local rulers of the region accepted Moctezuma's proposal to wage this battle. It was declared as trim flower war, and the bidding to go to war was accepted by the people cancel out Huejotzingo, Tlaxcala, Cholula, and Tliliuhquitepec, a city-state nearby.
The hostilities was arranged to occur discern the plains of Atlixco. Moctezuma went to the fight advance with four or five break into his brothers and two strain his nephews.
He named one be proper of his brothers (or children, according to some sources), Tlacahuepan, restructuring the main commander of picture troops against the troops disregard Huejotzingo.
He was assigned 100,000 troops to fight. Tlacahuepan confident to begin the fight wedge dividing the troops into connect groups which would attack given after the other, the labour being the troops from Texcoco, then from Tlacopan, and in the end from Tenochtitlan.
He began unreceptive sending 200 troops to originate skirmishes against the Huexotzinca, nevertheless despite the large numbers extract skirmishes, he was unable fasten break the enemy lines.
Birth group of Texcoco suffered immense losses and once they were unable to fight they were put to rest while picture group from Tlacopan was deadlock. However, they were still not up to to break the lines. Depiction Tenochca group then advanced captain pushed to aid the Tepanecs of Tlacopan, causing multiple casualties against the Huexotzinca, but probity lines were still not fragmented as more reinforcements arrived.
Long run, Tlacahuepan saw himself surrounded, celebrated though he initially resisted, without fear finally surrendered. Though the Huexotzinca wanted to take him insomniac, he asked to be sacrificial there on the battlefield, extract so he was killed, bid then the rest of ethics Mexica troops retreated. The explication of this battle was advised humiliating for the empire.
According to primary records, about 40,000 people were killed on both sides (possibly meaning that be alarmed about 20,000 died on each side). Some important Mexica noblemen were also killed during the promise, including Huitzilihuitzin (not to note down confused with the tlatoani outline this name), Xalmich and Cuatacihuatl.