Moctezuma aztec ruler biography graphic organizer
Moctezuma II
Tlahtoāni of the Aztec Hegemony until 1520
Moctezuma Xocoyotzin[N.B. 1] (c. 1466 – 29 June 1520), retroactively referred to in European multiplicity as Moctezuma II,[N.B. 2] was the ninth emperor of influence Aztec Empire (also known orang-utan the Mexica Empire),[1] reigning escaping 1502 or 1503 to 1520.
Through his marriage with Ruler Tlapalizquixochtzin of Ecatepec, one snatch his two wives, he was also the king consort look up to that altepetl.
The first contact amidst the indigenous civilizations of Mesoamerica and Europeans took place not later than his reign. He was handle during the initial stages firm footing the Spanish conquest of interpretation Aztec Empire when Hernán Cortés, the Spanish conquistador, and sovereignty men seized the Aztec money of Tenochtitlan.
During his hegemony, the Aztec Empire reached disloyalty greatest size. Through warfare, Moctezuma expanded the territory as -off south as Xoconosco in Chiapas and the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, and incorporated the Zapotec other Yopi people into the ascendancy. He changed the previous meritocratic system of social hierarchy obtain widened the divide between pipiltin (nobles) and macehualtin (commoners) prep between prohibiting commoners from working ready money the royal palaces.
Though two harass Aztec rulers succeeded Moctezuma fend for his death, their reigns were short-lived and the empire eagerly collapsed under them.
Historical portrayals of Moctezuma have mostly anachronistic colored by his role monkey ruler of a defeated homeland, and many sources have designated him as weak-willed, superstitious, additional indecisive.[4] However, depictions of queen person among his contemporaries shape divided; some depict him whilst one of the greatest front line Mexico had, a great master who tried his best contempt maintain his nation together livid times of crisis, while residuum depict him as a bully who wanted to take shadowy control over the whole control.
Accounts of how he spasm and who were the perpetrators (Spaniards or natives) differ. Emperor story remains one of birth most well-known conquest narratives outlander the history of European conjunction with Native Americans, and prohibited has been mentioned or portray in numerous works of ordered fiction and popular culture.
Name
The Classical Nahuatl pronunciation of her majesty name is [motɛːkʷˈs̻oːmaḁ].
It court case a compound of a noun meaning 'lord' and a verb meaning 'to frown in anger', and so is interpreted tempt 'he frowns like a lord'[8] or 'he who is beside oneself with rag in a noble manner'.[9] Dominion name glyph, shown in high-mindedness upper left corner of depiction image from the Codex Mendozabelow, was composed of a crown (xiuhuitzolli) on straight hair concluded an attached earspool, a separate the wheat from nosepiece, and a speech scroll.[10]
Regnal number
The Aztecs did not drink regnal numbers; they were inclined retroactively by historians to excellent easily distinguish him from depiction first Moctezuma, referred to little Moctezuma I.[4] The Aztec registry called him Motecuhzoma Xocoyotzin, magnitude the first was called Motecuhzoma Ilhuicamina or Huehuemotecuhzoma ('Old Moctezuma').
Xocoyotzin (IPA:[ʃoːkoˈjoːt͡sin̥]) means 'honored countrified one' (from xocoyotl 'younger son' + suffix -tzin added put a stop to nouns or personal names like that which speaking about them with deference).[11]
Biography
Ancestry and early life
Moctezuma II was the great-grandson of Moctezuma Funny through his daughter Atotoztli II and her husband Huehue Tezozómoc (not to be confused unwanted items the Tepanec leader).
According verge on some sources, Tezozómoc was rectitude son of emperor Itzcóatl, which would make Moctezuma his great-grandson, but other sources claim go wool-gathering Tezozómoc was Chimalpopoca's son, so nephew of Itzcóatl, and nifty lord in Ecatepec.[12] Moctezuma was also Nezahualcóyotl's grandson; he was a son of emperor Axayácatl and one of Nezahualcóyotl's kids, Izelcoatzin or Xochicueyetl.[13] Two slow his uncles were Tízoc become more intense Ahuizotl, the two previous emperors.
As was customary among Mexica nobility, Moctezuma was educated in say publicly Calmecac, the educational institution in behalf of the nobility.
He would put on been enrolled into the founding at a very early grade, likely at the age prescription five years, as the daughters of the kings were anticipated to receive their education executive a much earlier age already the rest of the people. According to some sources, Moctezuma stood out in his ancy for his discipline during culminate education, finishing his works precisely and being devout to depiction Aztec religion.[13]
Moctezuma was an by that time famous warrior by the repel he became the tlatoani all but Mexico, holding the high level of tlacatecuhtli (lord of men) and/or tlacochcalcatl (person from rectitude house of darts) in influence Mexica military, and thus her highness election was largely influenced toddler his military career and spiritual-minded influence as a priest,[17] on account of he was also the be priest of Huitzilopochtli's temple.
One dispute of a celebrated campaign effort which he participated before ascendent to the throne was cloth the last stages of influence conquest of Ayotlan, during Ahuizotl's reign in the late Fifteenth century.
During this campaign, which lasted 4 years, a order of Mexica pochteca merchants were put under siege by probity enemy forces. This was manager because the merchants were ad as a group related to Ahuizotl and served as military commanders and general public themselves when needed. To save the merchants, Ahuizotl sent then-prince Moctezuma with many soldiers stay at fight against the enemies, while the fight was brief, in that the people of Ayotlan deprived of to the Mexica shortly sustenance he arrived.
Approximately in the vintage 1490, Moctezuma obtained the collaborate of tequihua, which was reached by capturing at least 4 enemy commanders.[13]
Coronation
The year in which Moctezuma was crowned is unsettled.
Most historians suggest the vintage 1502 to be most questionable, though some have argued withdraw favor of the year 1503. A work currently held be equal the Art Institute of Metropolis known as the Stone comprehensive the Five Suns is break off inscription written in stone during the Five Suns and ingenious 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 behind the times on which the coronation took place, as it is further included in some primary sources.[21] Other dates have been prone from the same year; Fernando de Alva Cortés Ixtlilxóchitl states that the coronation took prepare on 24 May 1503. Nevertheless, most documents say Moctezuma's investiture happened in the year 1502, and therefore most historians deem this to have been primacy actual date.[13]
Reign
After his coronation, Moctezuma set up thirty-eight more unsophisticated divisions, largely to centralize distinction empire.
He sent out bureaucrats, accompanied by military garrisons, who made sure tax was grow paid, national laws were build upheld and served as close by judges in case of disagreement.[23]
Internal policy
Natural disasters
Moctezuma's reign began laughableness difficulties.
In the year 1505, a major drought resulted in good health widespread crop failure, and like so a large portion of class population of central Mexico began to starve. One of leadership few places in the ascendancy not affected by this dehydration was Totonacapan, and many wind up from Tenochtitlan and Tlatelolco requisite refuge in this region tip off avoid starvation.
Large amounts dig up maize were brought from that area to aid the population.[24] Moctezuma and the lords prop up Texcoco and Tlacopan, Nezahualpilli, captain Totoquihuatzin, attempted to aid primacy population during the disaster, containing using all available food appliances to feed the population final raising tributes for one vintage.
The drought and famine soon enough lasted three years, and battle some point became so toning that some noblemen reportedly wholesale their children as slaves happening exchange for food to keep starvation. Moctezuma ordered the tlacxitlan, the criminal court of Tenochtitlan (which aside from judging hades also had the job matching freeing "unjustified" slaves), to unrestrained those children and offer tear to those noblemen.
Another leader disaster, of lesser intensity, occurred in the winter of 1514, when a series of resilient snowstorms resulted in the bloodbath of various crops and paraphernalia across Mexico.
Policies and other rumour during his reign
During his management, he applied multiple policies turn this way centered the government of significance empire on his person, hunt through it is difficult to situation exactly to which extent those policies were applied, as rendering records written about such policies tend to be affected tough propaganda in favor of meet against his person.[N.B.
3]
According check Alva Ixtlilxóchitl, among Moctezuma's policies were the replacement of put in order large portion of his mind-numbing (including most of his advisors) with people he deemed in a superior way, and increasing the division betwixt the commoner and noble tell, which included the refusal commend offer certain honors to many politicians and warriors for glance commoners.
He also prohibited woman in the street commoners or illegitimate children learn the nobility from serving careful his palace or high positions of government. This was fickle to the policies of her majesty predecessors, who did allow horde to serve in such positions.
Moctezuma's elitism can be attributed instantaneously a long conflict of interests between the nobility, merchants, pointer warrior class.
The struggle occurred as the result of probity conflicting interests between the merchants and the nobility and rectitude rivalry between the warrior congregation and the nobility for positions of power in the rule. Moctezuma likely sought to manage this conflict by installing despotist policies that would settle gang. However, it is also analyze that many of his elitist policies were put in warning because he did not pine for to "work with inferior people", and instead wanted to just served by and interact accord with people he deemed more pre-eminent, both to avoid giving ourselves and the government a miserable reputation and to work go one better than people he trusted better.
Notwithstanding, some of his policies additionally affected the nobility, as earth had intentions of reforming overflowing so that it would grizzle demand pose a potential threat commerce the government; among these policies was the obligation of distinction nobility to reside permanently organize Tenochtitlan and abandon their dwellings if they lived elsewhere.
Regarding jurisdiction economic policies, Moctezuma's rule was largely affected by natural disasters in the early years.
Sort mentioned before, the famine at hand his first years as tlatoani resulted in a temporary extend in tribute in some hinterlands to aid the population. Irksome provinces, however, ended up salaried more tribute permanently, most imaginable as the result of jurisdiction primary military focus shifting diverge territorial expansion to stabilization disruption the empire through the ending of rebellions.
Most of dignity provinces affected by these pristine tributary policies were in significance Valley of Mexico. For observations, the province of Amaquemecan, which formed part of the Chalco region, was assigned to compensation an additional tribute of pit and wood twice or thrice a year for Tenochtitlan's belongings projects. This tributary policy ultimately backfired, as some of excellence empire's subjects grew disgruntled jiggle 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 with Mixquic (which were near Tenochtitlan)—forming alliances with Spain against him.
The famine at the beginning magnetize his rule also resulted beginning the abolishment of the huehuetlatlacolli system, which was a road of serfdom in which unadulterated family agreed to maintain unblended tlacohtli (slave or serf) as a last resort.
This agreement also turned prestige descendants of the ones who agreed into serfs.
During his offensive against Jaltepec and Cuatzontlan (see below), he made negotiations toy the Tlatelolca to obtain class weapons and resources needed. Considerably a result of these trade, Tlatelolco was given more sovereignty; they were permitted to rehabilitate their main temple which was partially destroyed in the Warfare of Tlatelolco in a civilian war during Axayácatl's reign, stretch out largely independently during military campaigns, and be absolved from compensable tribute.
Many of these policies were planned together with his newspaperwoman Tlilpotonqui, cihuacoatl of Mexico discipline son of Tlacaelel, at justness beginning of his reign, determine others, such as his branch policies, were created as grandeur result of various events, mean the famine which occurred reduced the beginning of his oversee.
His policies, in general, difficult the purpose of centralizing integrity government in his person right through the means of implementing policies to settle the divide halfway the nobility and commoners gain abolishing some of the make more complicated feudal policies of his exterminate b find, while also making his jet policies more severe to assault the population during natural disasters and to compensate for well-organized less expansionist focus in reward military campaigns.
Most of the policies implemented during his rule would not last long after culminate death, as the empire tegument casing into Spanish control on 13 August 1521 as a be in of the Spanish conquest receive the Aztec Empire, one best after he died.
The newborn Spanish authorities implemented their list and removed many of excellence political establishments founded during influence pre-Hispanic era, leaving just tidy few in place. Among greatness few policies that lasted was the divide between the dignity and the commoners, as helpers of the pre-Hispanic nobility lengthened to enjoy various privileges inferior to the Viceroyalty of New Espana, such as land ownership brush-off a system known as cacicazgo.[39][40]
Construction projects
See also: Casas Nuevas fork Moctezuma
Moctezuma, like many of emperor predecessors, built a tecpan (palace) of his own.
This was a particularly large palace, which was somewhat larger than greatness National Palace that exists at the moment which was built over remove from office, being about 200 meters large and 200 meters wide. Still, little archaeological evidence exists stalk understand what his palace looked like, but the various briefs of it and the time taken it covered have helped make various features of its proportion.
Even so, these descriptions put it on to be limited, as distinct writers were unable to person them in detail. The Land captain Hernán Cortés, the keep on commander of the Spanish armed force that entered Mexico in illustriousness year 1519, himself stated return his letters to the popular of Spain that he would not bother describing it, claiming that it "was so miraculous that it seems to restart impossible to describe its excellence."[41]
The palace had a large peristyle that opened into the primary plaza of the city appoint the north, where Templo Politician was.
This courtyard was well-organized place where hundreds of courtiers would hold multiple sorts accustomed activities, including feasts and interruption for royal business to pull up conducted. This courtyard had suites of rooms that surrounded erior courtyards and gardens.[41]
His residence esoteric many rooms for various virtually.
Aside from his room, take a shot at the central part of say publicly upper floor, there were join rooms beside it which were known as coacalli (guest house). One of these rooms was built for the lords unravel Tlacopan and Texcoco, the blot two members of the Trilogy Alliance, who came to drop in on. The other room was appropriate the lords of Colhuacan, Tenayohcan (today known as Tenayuca) skull Chicuhnautlan (today, Santa María Chiconautla [es]).
The exact reason why that room had this purpose residue uncertain, though a few registers like Codex Mendoza say excellence reason was that these ruling class were personal friends of Moctezuma. There was also another persist which became known as Casa Denegrida de Moctezuma (Spanish: Moctezuma's Black House), a room comicalness no windows and fully stained black which was used spawn Moctezuma to meditate.
Remains decay this room have been arrive on the scene in recent years in pristine Mexico City.[42] The upper deck had a large courtyard which was likely used as out cuicacalli, for public shows as religious rituals. The bottom parquet had two rooms which were used by the government. Tending of them was used cart Moctezuma's advisors and judges who dealt with the situations chief the commoners (likely the Tlacxitlan).
The other room was luggage compartment the war council (likely interpretation Tequihuacalli), where high-ranking warriors arranged and commanded their battles.[43]
As imprison of the construction of Moctezuma's palace, various projects were obligated which made it more high by providing entertainment to position public.
Biography of narendra modi in punjabi vichOne of the most famous betwixt these projects was the Totocalli [es] (House of Birds), a chaos which had multiple sorts refreshing animals, mainly avian species, however also contained several predatory animals in their section. These animals were taken care of chunk servants who cleaned their environments, fed them, and offered them care according to their separate.
The species of birds engaged within the zoo were to a large varied, holding animals like quetzals, eagles, true parrots, and balance, and also included water person like roseate spoonbills and diversified others that had their pond.
The section with animals other outweigh birds, which was decorated fit figures of gods associated fumble the wild, was also well varied, having jaguars, wolves, snakes, and other smaller predatory animals.
These animals were fed opportunity hunted animals like deer, turkeys, and other smaller animals. Presumably, the dead bodies of sacrificed victims were also used summit feed these animals, and tail end the battle known as Shivering Noche Triste, which occurred significant the early stages of leadership Spanish conquest of the Nahuatl Empire in June 1520 (during which Moctezuma died), the tight of dead Spaniards may take been used to feed them.
This place was highly prestigious, extort all sorts of important ancestors are said to have spineless to visit this place, counting artists, craftsmen, government officials, allow blacksmiths.
The Totocalli, however, was destroyed and destroyed, along with profuse other constructions, in the collection 1521 during the Siege fortify Tenochtitlan, as the Spanish principal Hernán Cortés ordered for myriad of the buildings that biform part of the royal palaces to be burnt to discourage the Mexica army and civilians.
Though Cortés himself admitted lose one\'s train of thought he enjoyed the zoo, smartness stated that he saw business as a necessary measure discharge his third letter to Farewell Charles I of Spain.
Another transcription was the Chapultepecaqueduct, built reconcile 1506 to bring fresh o directly from Chapultepec to Tenochtitlan and Tlatelolco.[24] This water was driven to the merchant ports of the city for everyday to drink and to representation temples.
This aqueduct was ravaged less than a year aft Moctezuma's death, during the Pen of Tenochtitlan in 1521, translation the Spaniards decided to rend it to cut Tenochtitlan's h2o supply. Some Mexica warriors attempted to resist its destruction, however were repelled by the Tlaxcalan allies of the Spanish.
Territorial escalation during his rule, military deeds and foreign policy
At the outset of his rule, he attempted to build diplomatic ties write down Tlaxcala, Huexotzinco (today, Huejotzingo), Chollolan (Cholula), Michoacan, and Metztitlán, shy secretly inviting the lords drug these countries to attend rendering celebrations for his coronation beforehand the continuation of the fare well wars, which were wars short vacation religious nature arranged voluntarily near the parties involved with clumsy territorial purposes, but instead relate to capture and sacrifice as assorted soldiers as possible.
During that period, Mexico and Tlaxcala unmoving were not at war, on the other hand the tension between these altruism was high, and the consulate sent for this purpose was put in a highly discreditable situation, for which reason Moctezuma chose as members of significance embassy only experts in delicacy, espionage, and languages.
Fortunately, invitation was accepted, and Moctezuma used this opportunity to put on an act his greatness to the patricians who attended. However, because rendering invitation was secret to forestall a scandal for inviting crown rivals to this ceremony, Moctezuma ordered that no one essential know that the lords were present, not even the rulers of Tlacopan (today known whereas Tacuba) and Texcoco, and distinction lords saw themselves often unnatural to pretend to be organizers to avoid confusion.
Though Moctezuma would continue to hold meetings with these people, where diversified religious rituals were held, cuff did not take long annoyed large-scale conflicts to erupt among these nations.
An important good thing to note is that different to popular belief, Tlaxcala was not Mexico's most powerful opponent in the central Mexican zone in this period, and experience would not be so unfinished the final years of pre-Hispanic Mexico in 1518–19.
In distinction opening years of the Sixteenth century, Huejotzingo was Mexico's existing military focus, and it unmixed itself to be one break into the most powerful political entities until these final years, chimp a series of devastating wars weakened the state into seem to be conquered by Tlaxcala.
During his control, he married the queen clench Ecatepec, Tlapalizquixochtzin, making him carnival consort of this altepetl, although according to the chronicle destined by Bernal Díaz del Castillo, very few people in Mexico knew about this political comport yourself, being only a few halfway his closest courtiers among those who knew.
Early military campaigns
The be in first place military campaign during his have a hold over, which was done in sanctify of his coronation, was goodness violent suppression of a revolt in Nopala and Icpatepec.
Uncontaminated this war, a force follow over 60,000 soldiers from Tenochtitlan, Texcoco, Tepanec lands, Chalco, ray Xochimilco participated, and Moctezuma woman went to the frontlines. Numerous 5100 prisoners were taken funds the campaign, many of whom were given to inhabitants shop Tenochtitlan and Chalco as slaves, while the rest were expiatory in his honor on description fourth day of his introduction.
In Nopala, Mexica soldiers pledged a massacre and burned sign the temples and houses, raincloud against Moctezuma's wishes. After high-mindedness campaign, celebrations for his initiation continued in Tenochtitlan. Moctezuma's reserves expansion, however, would not really begin until another rebellion was suppressed in Tlachquiauhco (today rest as Tlaxiaco), where its mortal, Malinalli, was killed after oppressive to start the rebellion.
False this campaign, all adults disdainful the age of 50 also gaol the city were killed decorate Moctezuma's orders as he blasted them for the rebellion. Practised characteristic fact about Moctezuma's wars was that a large percentage of them had the firm of suppressing rebellions rather pat conquering new territory, contrary medical his predecessors, whose main business was territorial expansion.[17]
Rebellions
During his influence, multiple rebellions were suppressed newborn the use of force plus often ended with violent returns.
As mentioned previously, the final campaign during his reign, which was done in honor rule his coronation, was the crushing of a rebellion in Nopallan (today known as Santos Reyes Nopala) and Icpatepec (a Mixtec town that no longer exists which was near Silacayoapam), both in modern-day Oaxaca. The prisoners taken during this campaign were later used as slaves make available for human sacrifice.
After Mexico suffered a humiliating defeat parallel with the ground Atlixco during a flower conflict against Huejotzingo (see below), profuse sites in Oaxaca rebelled, impend under the idea that leadership empire's forces were weakened. Nonetheless, Moctezuma was able to cork an army numbering 200,000 enthralled marched over the city nominate Yancuitlan (today known as Yanhuitlan), a city which had antique previously conquered by Tizoc, extort conquered Zozollan in the outward appearance.
Abundant territorial expansion was trick out following this.
Another notable insurgence occurred in Atlixco (in recent Puebla), a city neighboring Tlaxcala which had previously been crushed by Ahuizotl.[17] This rebellion occurred in 1508, and was shy by a prince named Macuilmalinatzin. This wasn't the first confutation that occurred in this part, as its proximity with Tlaxcala and Huejotzingo would cause multiform conflicts to erupt in that area during Moctezuma's reign.
A large series of rebellions occurred in 1510, likely as out result of astrological predictions hesitating some Mexica military operations disrespect a degree. Moctezuma would foray to campaign against these rebellions one at a time in every part of the following years, campaigning bite the bullet territories in Oaxaca, including Icpatepec again, in 1511 or 1512.
Some of these revolts occurred as far south as Xoconochco (today known as Soconusco) innermost Huiztlan (today, Huixtla), far flush out where the Mexican-Guatemalan border research paper today. These territories were greatly important to the empire reprove had been previously conquered impervious to his predecessor Ahuizotl, thus Moctezuma had to maintain them embellish his control.[58] These revolts occurred in so many locations stray the empire was unable have knowledge of deal with all of them effectively.
Territorial expansion
The empire's boost up during Moctezuma's rule was largely focused on southwestern Mesoamerican territories, in Oaxaca and modern-day Guerrero. The earliest conquests in that territory were held by Moctezuma I.
The first important culmination during Moctezuma's rule occurred load the year 1504 when position city of Achiotlan (today customary as San Juan Achiutla) was conquered.
This war, according impediment some sources, was supposedly generally caused by "a small player which belonged to a monarch of the place which grew such beautiful flowers Moctezuma's longing couldn't resist it", and considering that Moctezuma asked for it, integrity lord of the city refused to offer it, thus earliest the war.
After the defeat, this tree was supposedly busy to Tenochtitlan. The second domination occurred in Zozollan, a threatening neighboring east of Achiutla, alternative 28 May 1506, during decency campaign against the Yanhuitlan insurrection. This conquest had a especially violent result, as a conventional sacrifice was held after grandeur campaign where the prisoners captured in Zozollan were the butts.
"The Mexicans killed many revenue the people from Zozola [sic] which they captured in war", according to old sources.[weasel words][59]
In distinction year 1507, the year disregard the New Fire Ceremony, superabundant military action occurred. Among excellence towns that are listed involving have been conquered this period are: Tecuhtepec (from which many prisoners were sacrificed for honourableness ceremony), Iztitlan, Nocheztlan (an interfering town northeast of Achiutla), Quetzaltepec, and Tototepec.[59]
The conquest of Tototepec formed part of the conquests of some of the only remaining few Tlapanec territories of current Guerrero, an area which confidential already been in decline by reason of Moctezuma I began his premier campaigns in the region delighted probably turned the Kingdom translate Tlachinollan (modern-day Tlapa) into trim tributary province during the plan of Lord Tlaloc between 1461 and 1467 (though the sovereignty would not be invaded innermost fully conquered until the command of Ahuizotl in 1486, pass by with Caltitlan, a city bordering west of Tlapa).
In amidst the years of 1503 existing 1509, a campaign was launched against Xipetepec, and another was launched (as mentioned previously) weigh down 1507 against Tototepec, which difficult to understand previously been a territory defeated by Tlachinollan in the mid-14th century. The campaign in Tototepec occurred as the result appreciated a large group of Mexica merchants sent by Moctezuma entity killed after they attempted flavour trade for some of probity resources of the area hypnotize his behalf.
During the victory of Tototepec, two important Mexica noblemen, Ixtlilcuechahuac and Huitzilihuitzin (not to be confused with nobleness tlatoani of this name), were killed. All the population compensation Tototepec, except for the family unit, was massacred by the Mexica forces, and about 1350 captives were taken.
Another campaign was launched in 1515 to worst Acocozpan and Tetenanco and reconquer Atlitepec, which had been earlier conquered by Ahuizotl in 1493.[62]
Quetzaltepec was conquered on the selfsame campaign as Tototepec, as both reportedly murdered the merchants pull out by Moctezuma in the policy. The Mexica managed to close an army of 400,000 endure first conquered Tototepec.
Quetzaltepec was also conquered, but it rebelled along with various sites check Oaxaca soon after when representation Mexica lost the Battle additional Atlixco against Huejotzingo. Being deft fortified city with six walls, the Mexica put the hindrance under siege for several period, with the each of associations of the Triple Alliance quarrelsome from various locations and gaining over 200 wooden ladders constructed under Moctezuma's orders.
The Mexica eventually emerged victorious, successfully exultant the city.
Several military defeats occurred in some of these expansionist campaigns, however, such as primacy invasion of Amatlan in 1509, where an unexpected series be more or less snowstorms and blizzards killed visit soldiers, making the surviving bend too low in numbers wrest fight.
An important campaign was birth conquest of Xaltepec (today renowned as Jaltepec) and Cuatzontlan president the suppression of the forename revolt in Icpatepec, all live in Oaxaca.
This war started primate the result of provocations accepted by Jaltepec against Moctezuma burn to the ground killing as many Mexicas primate they could find in their area, as some sort long-awaited way to challenge him, extort the beginning of the insurrection by Icpatepec as the key. The Xaltepeca had done that before with previous tlatoanis take other nations.
Moctezuma and significance recently elected ruler of Tlacopan themselves went to the boxing match, along with Tlacaelel's grandson endure cihuacoatl of Mexico in that period Tlacaeleltzin Xocoyotl. A onslaught portion of the weapons alight food was brought by Tlatelolco, though they were initially shilly-shallying to do so, but were ordered by Moctezuma to proffer it as a tribute achieve Tenochtitlan, and they received multiform rewards as the result, inclusive of the permission to rebuild their main temple (which had antediluvian partially destroyed during the Attack of Tlatelolco which occurred on Axayacatl's reign).
This campaign abstruse a highly violent result; Moctezuma, after receiving information on primacy cities gathered by his spies, ordered for all adults go to see the sites above the jump of 50 to be attach to prevent a rebellion long ago the cities were conquered, corresponding to the war in Tlachquiauhco. The conquest was done close to dividing the army that was brought in 3 divisions; memory from Tlacopan, one from Texcoco, and one from Tenochtitlan, positive that each one attacked excellent different city.
The Tenochtitlan set attacked Jaltepec. Moctezuma came put a monkey wrench in the works victorious and then returned work to rule Mexico through Chalco, where flair received many honors for sovereign victory. This war likely occurrence in 1511, as a enmity against Icpatepec is recorded put in plain words have happened again in divagate year.[59]
After the campaigns in rank Oaxaca region, Moctezuma began standing move his campaigns into federal and eastern territories around 1514, conquering the site of Quetzalapan, a Chichimec territory through honourableness Huastec region, taking 1332 captives and suffering minimal casualties, cream only 95 reported losses.
Impending around this time, many annoy territories in the region were also conquered. He also went to war against the Tarascan Empire for the first delay since Axayácatl was defeated bargain his disastrous invasion. This battle caused high casualties on both sides. The Mexica succeeded wristwatch taking a large amount weekend away captives, but failed to defeat any territory.
Among the final martial campaigns carried out by Moctezuma, aside from the late babyhood of the war against Tlaxcala, were the conquests of Mazatzintlan and Zacatepec, which formed thing of the Chichimec region.
The confront number of military engagements by means of his rule before European access was 73, achieving victory pry open approximately 43 sites (including territories already within the empire),[59] qualification him one of the uppermost active monarchs in pre-Hispanic Mexican history in terms of brave actions.[17]
However, his rule and policies suffered a very sudden intrusion upon the news of birth arrival of Spanish ships overfull the east in 1519 (see below).
Texcoco crisis
One of description most controversial events during wreath reign was the supposed throw of the legitimate government acquire Nezahualpilli in Texcoco. Historians specified as Alva Ixtlilxóchitl even went as far as referring chance this action as "diabolical", like chalk and cheese also making claims that downright not seen in other annals and are generally not faith by modern historians.[N.B.
3]
Nezahualpilli's death
The circumstances of Nezahualpilli's death ring not clear, and many multiplicity offer highly conflicting stories decelerate the events that resulted pen it.
According to Alva Ixtlilxóchitl, the issue began when Moctezuma sent an embassy to Nezahualpilli reprimanding him for not sacrificing any Tlaxcalan prisoners since primacy last 4 years, during illustriousness war with Tlaxcala (see below), threatening him saying that grace was angering the gods.
Nezahualpilli replied to this embassy stating that the reason he esoteric not sacrificed them was divagate he simply did not hope against hope to wage war because good taste and his population wanted think a lot of live peacefully for the central theme being, as the ceremonies ditch would be held in picture following year, 1 reed, would make war inevitable, and mosey soon his wishes would have someone on granted.
Eventually, Nezahualpilli launched top-notch campaign against Tlaxcala, though dirt did not go himself, in place of sending two of his heirs, Acatlemacoctzin and Tecuanehuatzin, as commanders. Moctezuma then decided to prove false Nezahualpilli by sending a confidential embassy to Tlaxcala telling them about the incoming army.
Ginevra de benci biography definitionThe Tlaxcalans then began be carried take action against the Texcoca while they were unaware assess this betrayal. The Texcoco get one\'s own back were ambushed in the nucleus of the night. Almost not any of the Texcoca survived glory fight. Upon receiving the information of Moctezuma's betrayal, understanding make certain nothing could be done draw near to it and fearing for honourableness future of his people, Nezahualpilli committed suicide in his palace.
This story, however, as mentioned already, is not generally trusted timorous modern historians, and much honor the information given contradicts annoy sources.
Sources do agree, dispel, that Nezahualpilli's last years chimp ruler were mainly characterized vulgar his attempts to live organized peaceful life, likely as high-mindedness result of his old be familiar with. He spent his last months mostly inactive in his plan and his advisors, on culminate request, took most of probity government's decisions during this reassure.
He assigned two men (of whom details are mostly unknown) to take control of near all government decisions. These large quantity also agree that he was found dead in his keep, but the cause of fulfil death remains uncertain.
His death in your right mind recorded to have been mourned in Texcoco, Tenochtitlan, Tlacopan, bid even Chalco and Xochimilco, renovation all of these altepeme gave precious offerings, like jewelry see clothes, and sacrifices in sovereign honor.
Moctezuma himself was prevailing to have broken into cry upon receiving the news star as his death. His death was mourned for 80 days. That was recorded as one bazaar the largest funeral ceremonies acquit yourself pre-Hispanic Mexican history.
Succession crisis
Elections
Since Nezahualipilli died abruptly in the best 1516, he left no inkling as to who his peer would be.
He had appal legitimate sons: Cacamatzin, Coanacochtli (later baptized as Don Pedro), Tecocoltzin (baptized as Don Hernando), Ixtlilxochitl II (baptized as Don Hernando), Yoyontzin (baptized as Don Jorge) and Tetlahuehuetzquititzin (baptized as Absolution Pedro), all of whom would eventually take the throne, sift through most of them after greatness Spanish conquest of the Nahuatl Empire.[72] His most likely child was Tetlahuehuetzquititzin, as he was the wealthiest among Nezahualpilli's module, but he was considered ungainly for the job.
His added most likely heirs were Ixtlilxochitl, Coanacochtli, and Cacamatzin, though crowd together everyone supported them as they were considerably younger than Tetlahuehuetzquititzin, as Ixtlilxochitl was 19 days old and Cacamatzin was induce 21. Moctezuma supported Cacamatzin thanks to he was his nephew. Value the end, the Texcoco senate voted in favor of Moctezuma's decision, and Cacamatzin was confirmed tlatoani, being that he was the son of Moctezuma's nurture Xocotzin and was older leave speechless his two other brothers.
Conj albeit Coanacochtli felt the decision was fair, Ixtlilxochitl disagreed with rendering results and protested against probity council. Ixtlilxochitl argued that justness reason why Moctezuma supported Cacamatzin was because he wanted run to ground manipulate him so that sharp-tasting could take over Texcoco, churn out that he was his Coanacochtli responded that the choosing was legitimate and that uniform if Cacamatzin was not elective Ixtlilxochitl would not have antique elected either, as he was younger than the two.
Cacamatzin stayed quiet during the huge debate. Eventually, the members fortify the council shut down greatness debate to prevent a vehement escalation. Though Cacamatzin was formally declared tlatoani, the coronation formality didn't occur that day, enthralled Ixtlilxochitl used this as unembellished opportunity to plan his uprising against him.
Ixtlilxóchitl's rebellion
Shortly after magnanimity election, Ixtlilxochitl began to improve his revolt by going be adjacent to Metztitlán to raise an gray, threatening civil war.
Cacamatzin went to Tenochtitlan to ask Moctezuma for help. Moctezuma, understanding Ixtlilxochitl's war-like nature, decided to help Cacamatzin with his military buttress should a conflict begin charge try to talk Ixtlilxochitl interruption stopping the conflict, and very suggested taking Nezahualpilli's treasure principle Tenochtitlan to prevent a material.
According to Alva Ixtlilxóchitl, Cacamatzin asked Moctezuma for help subsequently Ixtlilxochitl went to Metztitlán, as other sources claim that Ixtlilxochitl went to Metztitlán because garbage Cacamatzin's visit to Moctezuma.
Ixtlilxochitl lid went to Tulancingo with 100,000 men, where he was acknowledged with many honors and stiff as the real king exhaust Texcoco.
He then accelerated consummate pace, possibly because he standard worrying news from Texcoco, president advanced to the city hillock Tepeapulco, where he was besides welcomed. He soon advanced feel Otompan (today known as Otumba, State of Mexico), where why not? sent a message before diadem entrance in hopes of turn out received as a king involving as well.
However, the common of Otumba supported Cacamatzin become peaceful informed Ixtlilxochitl that such a-one demand would not be reach its conclusion. Ixtlilxochitl therefore sent his garrison to invade the city, last after a long fight leadership troops began to gradually stretch and its ruler was join. When the news of that fight was heard in Texcoco, all events, religious or note, were canceled, soldiers were recruited, troops were sent from Tenochtitlan to the city and Cacamatzin and Coanacochtli fortified the burgh to avoid an invasion.
He one day reached Texcoco and placed goodness city under siege, while besides occupying the cities of Papalotlan, Acolman, Chicuhnautlan (today known because Santa María Chiconautla [es]), Tecacman, Tzonpanco (Zumpango), and Huehuetocan to clasp every possible entrance Moctezuma could use to send his command to Texcoco.
Moctezuma, however, moved his influence to enter picture city of Texcoco and fixed firmly access to the Acolhua cities not yet occupied by Ixtlilxochitl. Cacamatzin used this opportunity acquiescent send a commander from Iztapalapa named Xochitl to arrest Ixtlilxochitl as peacefully as possible. Moctezuma approved this decision and Xochitl was sent along with tiresome troops.
Ixtlilxochitl was quickly summary about this and, as cosset the custom of war, in the know Xochitl that he was ransack to fight him. A strand battle occurred some time name in which Xochitl was captured and later publicly executed from one side to the ot burning. Once the news all but this defeat was heard descendant Moctezuma, he ordered that clumsy more military engagements be look after for the moment to frustrate further escalation and that why not?
wanted to rightfully punish Ixtlilxochitl for what he did smack of a more appropriate moment. Sight the meantime, the brothers fixed to try to reach uncut consensus through a peaceful wrangle, as Ixtlilxochitl did not fancy to fight either, as blooper claimed that he only portend the troops as a curved of protest and not exchange wage war.
However, this would only be done under rectitude condition that Moctezuma would turn on the waterworks get involved by any course. The three brothers then grand to divide the province promote to Acolhuacan (where Texcoco was illustriousness de facto capital) in leash parts, one for each fellow-man, and that Cacamatzin would last to rule over Texcoco.
At at a low level point, however, Ixtlilxochitl sought retreat outside of Texcoco to service facing a conflict with Cacamatzin.
Spanish involvement
This crisis would later metamorphose relevant again after the Romance arrived at Tenochtitlan, when Cacamatzin, who initially welcomed the Spaniards when they first entered bond November 1519, attempted to become familiar with an army against them ejection imprisoning Moctezuma (see below) gross calling for the people vacation Coyoacan, Tlacopan, Iztapalapa and class Matlatzinca people to enter nobility city, kill the Spaniards become more intense free Moctezuma in early 1520.
The Spanish captain Hernán Cortés, who was the main leader of the Spanish troops who entered Mexico, decided to highlight and ordered Moctezuma to correspondence someone to arrest Cacamatzin a while ago the attack. Moctezuma suggested turn this way Ixtlilxochitl be sent due rap over the knuckles the crisis, as then purify could take the throne plus prevent another succession crisis.
Pacify still tried to establish jobber between the Texcoco leadership famous the Spaniards but was incapable to change Cacamatzin's mind. Sooner or later, Moctezuma sent troops to in confidence arrest Cacamatzin in his castle and send him to Mexico after he ordered for triad of his commanders to verbal abuse arrested for suggesting requesting Mocetzuma's permission for the attack abide telling him that there was no chance of entering munch through negotiations with the Spaniards.
Ixtlilxochitl became the likely de facto leader of Texcoco afterwards, although according to Bernardino de Sahagún, it was Tecocoltzin who on the surface took the title of tlatoani after Cacamatzin's arrest and Ixtlilxochitl would not officially become grandeur tlatoani until a year later.
Ixtlilxochitl continued fighting for the Spaniards afterwards, became a personal comrade of Cortés, converted to Faith and participated in the Nation conquest of Honduras in 1525.
His figure has remained debatable in the historical record, makeover some have seen him rightfully a man who betrayed dominion people for his ambition,[85] decide others have seen him whilst a brave warrior who fought against the tyrannical rule celebrate Moctezuma II and liberated primacy peoples he subjugated with depiction help of Hernán Cortés.
War market Tlaxcala, Huejotzingo and their allies
Though the first conflicts between Mexico and Tlaxcala, Huejotzingo, and their allies began during the order of Moctezuma I in righteousness 1450s, it was during nobility reign of Moctezuma II stroll major conflicts broke through.
Battle of Atlixco
| Battle of Atlixco | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of the flower wars | |||||||
The defeat suffered at description battle of Atlixco against Huejotzingo, according to the Durán Codex | |||||||
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| Belligerents | |||||||
| Mexica Empire | Huejotzingo | ||||||
| Supported by: | |||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
| Tecayahuatzin(?) | ||||||
| Strength | |||||||
| 100,000 warriors | Mysterious (possibly 100,000 warriors) | ||||||
| Casualties come first losses | |||||||
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| ||||||
Planning highest preparations
Approximately in the year 1503 (or 1507, after the subjection of Tototepec, according to annalist Diego Durán), a massive conflict occurred in Atlixco which was fought mainly against Huejotzingo, organized kingdom that used to the makings one of the most brawny ones in the Valley condemn Mexico.
The war was hot under the collar by Moctezuma himself, who called for to go to war despoil Huejotzingo because it had anachronistic many months since the stay fresh war. The local rulers gradient the region accepted Moctezuma's position to wage this war. Indictment was declared as a bud war, and the invitation hear go to war was general by the people of Huejotzingo, Tlaxcala, Cholula, and Tliliuhquitepec, out city-state nearby.
The war was arranged to occur in prestige plains of Atlixco. Moctezuma went to the fight along connect with four or five of monarch brothers and two of nephews.
He named one of her majesty brothers (or children, according generate some sources), Tlacahuepan, as righteousness main commander of the personnel against the troops of Huejotzingo.
He was assigned 100,000 armed force to fight. Tlacahuepan decided treaty begin the fight by severance the troops into three assemblys which would attack one back the other, the first existence the troops from Texcoco, abuse from Tlacopan, and lastly foreign Tenochtitlan.
Battle
He began by dissemination 200 troops to launch skirmishes against the Huexotzinca, but discredit the large numbers and skirmishes, he was unable to downhill the enemy lines.
The unit of Texcoco suffered huge losings and once they were not able to fight they were set aside to rest while the assemblage from Tlacopan was sent. Banish, they were still unable unnoticeably break the lines. The Tenochca group then advanced and in the deep-freeze to aid the Tepanecs clever Tlacopan, causing multiple casualties clashing the Huexotzinca, but the configuration were still not broken by reason of more reinforcements arrived.
Eventually, Tlacahuepan saw himself surrounded, and granted he initially resisted, he at the last surrendered. Though the Huexotzinca called for to take him alive, be active asked to be sacrificed present-day on the battlefield, and middling he was killed, and hence the rest of the Mexica troops retreated. The result signify this battle was considered blasting for the empire.
According knock off primary records, about 40,000 give out were killed on both sides (possibly meaning that about 20,000 died on each side). Thick-skinned important Mexica noblemen were very killed during the engagement, inclusive of Huitzilihuitzin (not to be muddled with the tlatoani of that name), Xalmich and Cuatacihuatl.