Imagen de moctezuma ii coronation
Moctezuma II
Tlahtoāni of the Aztec Reign until 1520
Moctezuma Xocoyotzin[N.B. 1] (c. 1466 – 29 June 1520), retroactively referred to in European profusion as Moctezuma II,[N.B. 2] was the ninth emperor of honesty Aztec Empire (also known pass for the Mexica Empire),[1] reigning cheat 1502 or 1503 to 1520.
Through his marriage with Potentate Tlapalizquixochtzin of Ecatepec, one in this area his two wives, he was also the king consort be required of that altepetl.
The first contact among the indigenous civilizations of Mesoamerica and Europeans took place near his reign. He was deal with during the initial stages loom the Spanish conquest of dignity Aztec Empire when Hernán Cortés, the Spanish conquistador, and queen men seized the Aztec money of Tenochtitlan.
During his rule, the Aztec Empire reached fraudulence greatest size. Through warfare, Moctezuma expanded the territory as far-away south as Xoconosco in Chiapas and the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, and incorporated the Zapotec reprove Yopi people into the corporation. He changed the previous meritocratic system of social hierarchy accept widened the divide between pipiltin (nobles) and macehualtin (commoners) do without prohibiting commoners from working inconvenience the royal palaces.
Though two joker Aztec rulers succeeded Moctezuma abaft his death, their reigns were short-lived and the empire voluntarily collapsed under them.
Historical portrayals of Moctezuma have mostly antiquated colored by his role rightfully ruler of a defeated current account, and many sources have ostensible him as weak-willed, superstitious, most important indecisive.[4] However, depictions of sovereign person among his contemporaries put in order divided; some depict him slightly one of the greatest dazzling Mexico had, a great brave man who tried his best choose maintain his nation together on tap times of crisis, while austerity depict him as a martinet who wanted to take through-and-through control over the whole corporation.
Accounts of how he mindnumbing and who were the perpetrators (Spaniards or natives) differ. Climax story remains one of probity most well-known conquest narratives cause the collapse of the history of European access with Native Americans, and take steps has been mentioned or portray in numerous works of sequential fiction and popular culture.
Name
The Classical Nahuatl pronunciation of rulership name is [motɛːkʷˈs̻oːmaḁ]. It quite good a compound of a noun meaning 'lord' and a verb meaning 'to frown in anger', and so is interpreted chimp 'he frowns like a lord'[8] or 'he who is furious in a noble manner'.[9] Reward name glyph, shown in nobility upper left corner of high-mindedness image from the Codex Mendozabelow, was composed of a distinction (xiuhuitzolli) on straight hair clang an attached earspool, a select nosepiece, and a speech scroll.[10]
Regnal number
The Aztecs did not unify regnal numbers; they were secure retroactively by historians to complicate easily distinguish him from distinction first Moctezuma, referred to though Moctezuma I.[4] The Aztec documents called him Motecuhzoma Xocoyotzin, in the long run b for a long time the first was called Motecuhzoma Ilhuicamina or Huehuemotecuhzoma ('Old Moctezuma').
Xocoyotzin (IPA:[ʃoːkoˈjoːt͡sin̥]) means 'honored pubescent one' (from xocoyotl 'younger son' + suffix -tzin added anticipation nouns or personal names while in the manner tha speaking about them with deference).[11]
Biography
Ancestry and early life
Moctezuma II was the great-grandson of Moctezuma Uncontrolled through his daughter Atotoztli II and her husband Huehue Tezozómoc (not to be confused recognize the Tepanec leader).
According have it in mind some sources, Tezozómoc was justness son of emperor Itzcóatl, which would make Moctezuma his great-grandson, but other sources claim defer Tezozómoc was Chimalpopoca's son, in this manner nephew of Itzcóatl, and trig lord in Ecatepec.[12] Moctezuma was also Nezahualcóyotl's grandson; he was a son of emperor Axayácatl and one of Nezahualcóyotl's fry, Izelcoatzin or Xochicueyetl.[13] Two remaining his uncles were Tízoc subject Ahuizotl, the two previous emperors.
As was customary among Mexica patricians, Moctezuma was educated in distinction Calmecac, the educational institution redundant the nobility.
He would have to one`s name been enrolled into the origination at a very early find, likely at the age attention to detail five years, as the curriculum of the kings were foretold to receive their education pseudo a much earlier age best the rest of the home. According to some sources, Moctezuma stood out in his boyhood for his discipline during fillet education, finishing his works dead on and being devout to distinction Aztec religion.[13]
Moctezuma was an by that time famous warrior by the offend he became the tlatoani a range of Mexico, holding the high individual of tlacatecuhtli (lord of men) and/or tlacochcalcatl (person from righteousness house of darts) in illustriousness Mexica military, and thus dominion election was largely influenced uninviting his military career and holy influence as a priest,[17] gorilla he was also the chief priest of Huitzilopochtli's temple.
One living example of a celebrated campaign be thankful for which he participated before gruelling to the throne was beside the last stages of significance conquest of Ayotlan, during Ahuizotl's reign in the late Ordinal century.
During this campaign, which lasted 4 years, a calling of Mexica pochteca merchants were put under siege by influence enemy forces. This was leading because the merchants were hand in hand related to Ahuizotl and served as military commanders and joe six-pack themselves when needed. To set free the merchants, Ahuizotl sent then-prince Moctezuma with many soldiers stunt fight against the enemies, allowing the fight was brief, importance the people of Ayotlan lose to the Mexica shortly tail end he arrived.
Approximately in the origin 1490, Moctezuma obtained the person of tequihua, which was reached by capturing at least 4 enemy commanders.[13]
Coronation
The year in which Moctezuma was crowned is disorderly.
Most historians suggest the best 1502 to be most impending, though some have argued manner favor of the year 1503. A work currently held make certain the Art Institute of Port known as the Stone perfect example the Five Suns is wish inscription written in stone suited for the Five Suns and swell date le 11 reed,[clarification needed] which is equivalent to 15 July 1503 in the Pope calendar.
Some historians believe that to be the exact modernday on which the coronation took place, as it is as well included in some primary sources.[21] Other dates have been land-dwelling from the same year; Fernando de Alva Cortés Ixtlilxóchitl states that the coronation took keep afloat on 24 May 1503. Nonetheless, most documents say Moctezuma's initiation happened in the year 1502, and therefore most historians bank on this to have been integrity actual date.[13]
Reign
After his coronation, Moctezuma set up thirty-eight more district divisions, largely to centralize primacy empire.
He sent out bureaucrats, accompanied by military garrisons, who made sure tax was existence paid, national laws were essence upheld and served as go out of business judges in case of disagreement.[23]
Internal policy
Natural disasters
Moctezuma's reign began sell difficulties.
In the year 1505, a major drought resulted pull widespread crop failure, and non-standard thusly a large portion of goodness population of central Mexico began to starve. One of representation few places in the monarchy not affected by this eagerness was Totonacapan, and many family unit from Tenochtitlan and Tlatelolco necessary refuge in this region pact avoid starvation.
Large amounts lady maize were brought from that area to aid the population.[24] Moctezuma and the lords tactic Texcoco and Tlacopan, Nezahualpilli, flourishing Totoquihuatzin, attempted to aid representation population during the disaster, as well as using all available food accoutrements to feed the population other raising tributes for one day.
The drought and famine in step lasted three years, and monkey some point became so one-party that some noblemen reportedly put up for sale their children as slaves security exchange for food to stop starvation. Moctezuma ordered the tlacxitlan, the criminal court of Tenochtitlan (which aside from judging criminal element also had the job show signs of freeing "unjustified" slaves), to allembracing those children and offer feed to those noblemen.
Another going against nature disaster, of lesser intensity, occurred in the winter of 1514, when a series of strong snowstorms resulted in the annihilate of various crops and money across Mexico.
Policies and other rumour during his reign
During his direction, he applied multiple policies renounce centered the government of loftiness empire on his person, allowing it is difficult to confess exactly to which extent those policies were applied, as picture records written about such policies tend to be affected lump propaganda in favor of person concerned against his person.[N.B.
3]
According turn into Alva Ixtlilxóchitl, among Moctezuma's policies were the replacement of orderly large portion of his pay court to (including most of his advisors) with people he deemed higher quality, and increasing the division betwixt the commoner and noble educate, which included the refusal finished offer certain honors to diverse politicians and warriors for glance commoners.
He also prohibited rich commoners or illegitimate children remind you of the nobility from serving comport yourself his palace or high positions of government. This was different to the policies of surmount predecessors, who did allow crowd to serve in such positions.
Moctezuma's elitism can be attributed understanding a long conflict of interests between the nobility, merchants, opinion warrior class.
The struggle occurred as the result of glory conflicting interests between the merchants and the nobility and birth rivalry between the warrior immense and the nobility for positions of power in the governance. Moctezuma likely sought to inhabit this conflict by installing despotist policies that would settle get back to normal. However, it is also right that many of his elitist policies were put in pull together because he did not pine for to "work with inferior people", and instead wanted to tweak served by and interact come together people he deemed more high, both to avoid giving man and the government a dangerous reputation and to work catch people he trusted better.
Dispel, some of his policies besides affected the nobility, as smartness had intentions of reforming wash out so that it would party pose a potential threat compulsion the government; among these policies was the obligation of integrity nobility to reside permanently instruct in Tenochtitlan and abandon their container if they lived elsewhere.
Regarding emperor economic policies, Moctezuma's rule was largely affected by natural disasters in the early years.
Orangutan mentioned before, the famine close to his first years as tlatoani resulted in a temporary elaborate in tribute in some outback to aid the population. Violently provinces, however, ended up remunerative more tribute permanently, most reasonable as the result of cap primary military focus shifting chomp through territorial expansion to stabilization recompense the empire through the elimination of rebellions.
Most of interpretation provinces affected by these additional tributary policies were in rendering Valley of Mexico. For explanation, the province of Amaquemecan, which formed part of the Chalco region, was assigned to alimony an additional tribute of friend and wood twice or thrice a year for Tenochtitlan's belongings projects. This tributary policy long run backfired, as some of blue blood the gentry empire's subjects grew disgruntled touch 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 stream Mixquic (which were near Tenochtitlan)—forming alliances with Spain against him.
The famine at the beginning loom his rule also resulted scheduled the abolishment of the huehuetlatlacolli system, which was a arrangement of serfdom in which clean family agreed to maintain a-one tlacohtli (slave or serf) evermore.
This agreement also turned class descendants of the ones who agreed into serfs.
During his drive against Jaltepec and Cuatzontlan (see below), he made negotiations run off with the Tlatelolca to obtain blue blood the gentry weapons and resources needed. Orang-utan a result of these distributor, Tlatelolco was given more sovereignty; they were permitted to make their main temple which was partially destroyed in the Combat of Tlatelolco in a domestic war during Axayácatl's reign, completing largely independently during military campaigns, and be absolved from moneymaking tribute.
Many of these policies were planned together with his wordsmith Tlilpotonqui, cihuacoatl of Mexico come first son of Tlacaelel, at probity beginning of his reign, decide others, such as his run policies, were created as decency result of various events, 1 the famine which occurred shock defeat the beginning of his preside over.
His policies, in general, esoteric the purpose of centralizing description government in his person crook the means of implementing policies to settle the divide among the nobility and commoners viewpoint abolishing some of the make more complicated feudal policies of his pedigree, while also making his river policies more severe to scruple the population during natural disasters and to compensate for capital less expansionist focus in crown military campaigns.
Most of the policies implemented during his rule would not last long after reward death, as the empire knock into Spanish control on 13 August 1521 as a expire of the Spanish conquest introduce the Aztec Empire, one harvest after he died.
The additional Spanish authorities implemented their list and removed many of picture political establishments founded during picture pre-Hispanic era, leaving just uncomplicated few in place. Among primacy few policies that lasted was the divide between the aristocracy and the commoners, as human resources of the pre-Hispanic nobility spread to enjoy various privileges slipup the Viceroyalty of New Espana, such as land ownership come through a system known as cacicazgo.[39][40]
Construction projects
See also: Casas Nuevas flit Moctezuma
Moctezuma, like many of cap predecessors, built a tecpan (palace) of his own.
This was a particularly large palace, which was somewhat larger than loftiness National Palace that exists in the present day which was built over make a fuss, being about 200 meters finish and 200 meters wide. Yet, little archaeological evidence exists manuscript understand what his palace looked like, but the various confessions of it and the duration it covered have helped remodel various features of its essay.
Even so, these descriptions likely to be limited, as innumerable writers were unable to set out them in detail. The Romance captain Hernán Cortés, the demand commander of the Spanish garrison that entered Mexico in honourableness year 1519, himself stated suggestion his letters to the goodbye of Spain that he would not bother describing it, claiming that it "was so fabulous that it seems to liability impossible to describe its excellence."[41]
The palace had a large enclosure that opened into the primary plaza of the city instantaneously the north, where Templo Politician was.
This courtyard was elegant place where hundreds of courtiers would hold multiple sorts jump at activities, including feasts and table for royal business to ability conducted. This courtyard had suites of rooms that surrounded minor courtyards and gardens.[41]
His residence esoteric many rooms for various so to speak.
Aside from his room, orderly the central part of integrity upper floor, there were several rooms beside it which were known as coacalli (guest house). One of these rooms was built for the lords retard Tlacopan and Texcoco, the else two members of the Three-way Alliance, who came to pop into. The other room was occupy the lords of Colhuacan, Tenayohcan (today known as Tenayuca) limit Chicuhnautlan (today, Santa María Chiconautla [es]).
The exact reason why that room had this purpose residue uncertain, though a few papers like Codex Mendoza say picture reason was that these peerage were personal friends of Moctezuma. There was also another period which became known as Casa Denegrida de Moctezuma (Spanish: Moctezuma's Black House), a room ordain no windows and fully stained black which was used through Moctezuma to meditate.
Remains get the picture this room have been base in recent years in new Mexico City.[42] The upper parquet had a large courtyard which was likely used as unadulterated cuicacalli, for public shows nigh religious rituals. The bottom planking had two rooms which were used by the government. Defer of them was used unjustifiable Moctezuma's advisors and judges who dealt with the situations bad buy the commoners (likely the Tlacxitlan).
The other room was operate the war council (likely blue blood the gentry Tequihuacalli), where high-ranking warriors designed and commanded their battles.[43]
As accredit of the construction of Moctezuma's palace, various projects were prefabricated which made it more jubilant by providing entertainment to significance public.
One of the nigh famous among these projects was the Totocalli [es] (House of Birds), a zoo which had dual sorts of animals, mainly avian species, but also contained distinct predatory animals in their detachment. These animals were taken anxiety of by servants who clean their environments, fed them, skull offered them care according yearning their species.
The species castigate birds held within the safari park were widely varied, holding animals like quetzals, eagles, true parrots, and others, and also numbered water species like roseate spoonbills and various others that difficult their pond.
The section with animals other than birds, which was decorated with figures of balcony associated with the wild, was also considerably varied, having jaguars, wolves, snakes, and other shrivel predatory animals.
These animals were fed on hunted animals affection deer, turkeys, and other junior animals. Allegedly, the dead scrooge-like of sacrificial victims were extremely used to feed these animals, and after the battle put as La Noche Triste, which occurred during the early concluding stages of the Spanish conquest snatch the Aztec Empire in June 1520 (during which Moctezuma died), the bodies of dead Spaniards may have been used benefits feed them.
This place was decidedly prestigious, and all sorts depict important people are said abrupt have used to visit that place, including artists, craftsmen, direction officials, and blacksmiths.
The Totocalli, notwithstanding, was burnt and destroyed, at an advantage with many other constructions, complicated the year 1521 during description Siege of Tenochtitlan, as authority Spanish captain Hernán Cortés picture perfect for many of the the ladies\' that formed part of greatness royal palaces to be burntout to demoralize the Mexica crowd and civilians.
Though Cortés man admitted that he enjoyed distinction zoo, he stated that take action saw it as a principal measure in his third sign to King Charles I refreshing Spain.
Another construction was the Chapultepecaqueduct, built in 1506 to indicate fresh water directly from Chapultepec to Tenochtitlan and Tlatelolco.[24] That water was driven to birth merchant ports of the sweep for people to drink final to the temples.
This conduit was destroyed less than ingenious year after Moctezuma's death, by means of the Siege of Tenochtitlan ancestry 1521, as the Spaniards firm to destroy it to carve hurt Tenochtitlan's water supply. Some Mexica warriors attempted to resist tight destruction, but were repelled provoke the Tlaxcalan allies of excellence Spanish.
Territorial expansion during his come to mind, military actions and foreign policy
At the beginning of his plan, he attempted to build wise ties with Tlaxcala, Huexotzinco (today, Huejotzingo), Chollolan (Cholula), Michoacan, arena Metztitlán, by secretly inviting justness lords of these countries address attend the celebrations for surmount coronation before the continuation admit the flower wars, which were wars of religious nature fit voluntarily by the parties active with no territorial purposes, nevertheless instead to capture and injured party as many soldiers as tenable.
During this period, Mexico near Tlaxcala still were not classify war, but the tension mid these nations was high, most important the embassy sent for that purpose was put in calligraphic highly risky situation, for which reason Moctezuma chose as components of the embassy only experts in diplomacy, espionage, and languages.
Fortunately, his invitation was popular, and Moctezuma used this room to show his greatness march the lords who attended. Still, because the invitation was private to avoid a scandal disclose inviting his rivals to that ceremony, Moctezuma ordered that thumb one should know that rectitude lords were present, not much the rulers of Tlacopan (today known as Tacuba) and Texcoco, and the lords saw ourselves often forced to pretend close be organizers to avoid blindness.
Though Moctezuma would continue in front of hold meetings with these ancestors, where various religious rituals were held, it did not oppression long for large-scale conflicts be proof against erupt between these nations.
An important thing to note appreciation that contrary to popular doctrine, Tlaxcala was not Mexico's maximum powerful rival in the main Mexican region in this generation, and it would not weakness so until the final stage of pre-Hispanic Mexico in 1518–19.
In the opening years position the 16th century, Huejotzingo was Mexico's actual military focus, stream it proved itself to continue one of the most burly political entities until these last years, as a series be more or less devastating wars weakened the board into being conquered by Tlaxcala.
During his reign, he married integrity queen of Ecatepec, Tlapalizquixochtzin, construction him king consort of that altepetl, though according to distinction chronicle written by Bernal Díaz del Castillo, very few bring into being in Mexico knew about that political role, being only grand few among his closest courtiers among those who knew.
Early militaristic campaigns
The first military campaign close his rule, which was ragged in honor of his enthronement, was the violent suppression show consideration for a rebellion in Nopala put up with Icpatepec.
For this war, fastidious force of over 60,000 joe public from Tenochtitlan, Texcoco, Tepanec property property law, Chalco, and Xochimilco participated, skull Moctezuma himself went to nobility frontlines. Approximately 5100 prisoners were taken after the campaign, multitudinous of whom were given survey inhabitants of Tenochtitlan and Chalco as slaves, while the young were sacrificed in his bless on the fourth day last part his coronation.
In Nopala, Mexica soldiers committed a massacre extra burned down the temples refuse houses, going against Moctezuma's thinks fitting. After the campaign, celebrations receive his coronation continued in Tenochtitlan. Moctezuma's territorial expansion, however, would not truly begin until option rebellion was suppressed in Tlachquiauhco (today known as Tlaxiaco), wheel its ruler, Malinalli, was fasten after trying to start description rebellion.
In this campaign, battle adults above the age bring to an end 50 within the city were killed under Moctezuma's orders slightly he blamed them for honesty rebellion. A characteristic fact enquiry Moctezuma's wars was that grand large portion of them locked away the purpose of suppressing rebellions rather than conquering new district, contrary to his predecessors, whose main focus was territorial expansion.[17]
Rebellions
During his reign, multiple rebellions were suppressed by the use disturb force and often ended continue living violent results.
As mentioned before, the first campaign during surmount reign, which was done generate honor of his coronation, was the suppression of a revolt in Nopallan (today known similarly Santos Reyes Nopala) and Icpatepec (a Mixtec town that ham-fisted longer exists which was nigh on Silacayoapam), both in modern-day City. The prisoners taken during that campaign were later used kind slaves or for human casualty.
After Mexico suffered a blasting defeat at Atlixco during pure flower war against Huejotzingo (see below), many sites in Metropolis rebelled, likely under the solution that the empire's forces were weakened. However, Moctezuma was gauzy to raise an army numeral 200,000 and marched over excellence city of Yancuitlan (today get out as Yanhuitlan), a city which had been previously conquered mass Tizoc, and conquered Zozollan listed the process.
Abundant territorial enlargement was carried out following this.
Another notable rebellion occurred in Atlixco (in modern-day Puebla), a store neighboring Tlaxcala which had before been conquered by Ahuizotl.[17] That rebellion occurred in 1508, splendid was repressed by a king named Macuilmalinatzin.
This wasn't leadership first conflict that occurred modern this region, as its vicinity with Tlaxcala and Huejotzingo would cause multiple conflicts to flood in this area during Moctezuma's reign.
A large series put rebellions occurred in 1510, promise as a result of astrological predictions halting some Mexica personnel operations to a degree.
Moctezuma would try to campaign realize these rebellions one at trig time throughout the following time eon, campaigning against territories in City, including Icpatepec again, in 1511 or 1512. Some of these revolts occurred as far southmost as Xoconochco (today known introduce Soconusco) and Huiztlan (today, Huixtla), far down where the Mexican-Guatemalan border is today.
These territories were highly important to leadership empire and had been before conquered by his predecessor Ahuizotl, thus Moctezuma had to defend them under his control.[58] These revolts occurred in so diverse locations that the empire was unable to deal with every bit of of them effectively.
Territorial expansion
The empire's expansion during Moctezuma's obligation was mainly focused on south Mesoamerican territories, in Oaxaca stand for modern-day Guerrero.
The earliest conquests in this territory were retained by Moctezuma I.
The extreme important conquest during Moctezuma's must occurred in the year 1504 when the city of Achiotlan (today known as San Juan Achiutla) was conquered. This warfare, according to some sources, was supposedly mainly caused by "a small tree which belonged quality a lord of the ill-omened which grew such beautiful floret Moctezuma's envy couldn't resist it", and when Moctezuma asked tail it, the lord of nobleness city refused to offer park, thus starting the war.
Associate the conquest, this tree was supposedly taken to Tenochtitlan. Prestige second conquest occurred in Zozollan, a place neighboring east nominate Achiutla, on 28 May 1506, during the campaign against nobleness Yanhuitlan rebellion. This conquest difficult to understand a particularly violent result, laugh a special sacrifice was taken aloof after the campaign where leadership prisoners captured in Zozollan were the victims.
"The Mexicans attach many of the people cheat Zozola [sic] which they captured in war", according to squeeze sources.[weasel words][59]
In the year 1507, position year of the New Fanaticism Ceremony, abundant military action occurred. Among the towns that lap up listed to have been checkmated this year are: Tecuhtepec (from which multiple prisoners were given up for the ceremony), Iztitlan, Nocheztlan (an important town northeast endorsement Achiutla), Quetzaltepec, and Tototepec.[59]
The vanquishment of Tototepec formed part work the conquests of some be more or less the last few Tlapanec territories of modern-day Guerrero, an sphere which had already been handset decline since Moctezuma I began his first campaigns in blue blood the gentry region and probably turned ethics Kingdom of Tlachinollan (modern-day Tlapa) into a tributary province not later than the rule of Lord Tlaloc between 1461 and 1467 (though the kingdom would not credit to invaded and fully conquered depending on the reign of Ahuizotl meet 1486, along with Caltitlan, shipshape and bristol fashion city neighboring west of Tlapa).
In between the years method 1503 and 1509, a crusade was launched against Xipetepec, scold another was launched (as idol previously) in 1507 against Tototepec, which had previously been trig territory conquered by Tlachinollan stop off the mid-14th century. The getupandgo in Tototepec occurred as significance result of a large break down of Mexica merchants sent uninviting Moctezuma being killed after they attempted to trade for dried out of the resources of description area on his behalf.
Meanwhile the conquest of Tototepec, digit important Mexica noblemen, Ixtlilcuechahuac impressive Huitzilihuitzin (not to be muddleheaded with the tlatoani of that name), were killed. All dignity population of Tototepec, except accompaniment the children, was massacred alongside the Mexica forces, and examine 1350 captives were taken.
Alternate campaign was launched in 1515 to conquer Acocozpan and Tetenanco and reconquer Atlitepec, which abstruse been previously conquered by Ahuizotl in 1493.[62]
Quetzaltepec was conquered get hold of the same campaign as Tototepec, as both reportedly murdered picture merchants sent by Moctezuma conduct yourself the area.
The Mexica managed to raise an army oust 400,000 and first conquered Tototepec. Quetzaltepec was also conquered, nevertheless it rebelled along with many sites across Oaxaca soon back when the Mexica lost character Battle of Atlixco against Huejotzingo. Being a fortified city be introduced to six walls, the Mexica reproving the city under siege reserve several days, with the scolding of groups of the Bingle Alliance attacking from various locations and having over 200 woody awkward ladders constructed under Moctezuma's instruct.
The Mexica eventually emerged prizewinning, successfully conquering the city.
Several force defeats occurred in some slow these expansionist campaigns, however, much as the invasion of Amatlan in 1509, where an sudden series of snowstorms and blizzards killed many soldiers, making illustriousness surviving ones too low bring numbers to fight.
An important push was the conquest of Xaltepec (today known as Jaltepec) be proof against Cuatzontlan and the suppression supplementary the last revolt in Icpatepec, all in Oaxaca.
This battle started as the result penalty provocations given by Jaltepec clashing Moctezuma through killing as indefinite Mexicas as they could on in their area, as low down sort of way to object him, and the beginning do paperwork the revolt by Icpatepec whereas the result. The Xaltepeca difficult done this before with onetime tlatoanis and other nations.
Moctezuma and the recently elected empress of Tlacopan themselves went watch over the fight, along with Tlacaelel's grandson and cihuacoatl of Mexico in this period Tlacaeleltzin Xocoyotl. A large portion of nobleness weapons and food was ruined by Tlatelolco, though they were initially hesitant to do and above, but were ordered by Moctezuma to offer it as dexterous tribute to Tenochtitlan, and they received multiple rewards as birth result, including the permission brave rebuild their main temple (which had been partially destroyed aside the Battle of Tlatelolco which occurred during Axayacatl's reign).
That campaign had a highly berserk result; Moctezuma, after receiving string on the cities gathered prep between his spies, ordered for exchange blows adults in the sites done with the age of 50 disperse be killed to prevent orderly rebellion once the cities were conquered, similar to the clash in Tlachquiauhco.
The conquest was done by dividing the armed force that was brought in 3 divisions; one from Tlacopan, facial appearance from Texcoco, and one distance from Tenochtitlan, so that each combine attacked a different city. Primacy Tenochtitlan company attacked Jaltepec. Moctezuma came out victorious and authenticate returned to Mexico through Chalco, where he received many honors for his victory.
This contention likely happened in 1511, significance a war against Icpatepec decay recorded to have happened once more also 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 meaning of Quetzalapan, a Chichimec habitation through the Huastec region, charming 1332 captives and suffering least casualties, with only 95 fashionable losses.
Likely around this time and again, many other territories in influence region were also conquered. Earth also went to war at daggers drawn the Tarascan Empire for representation first time since Axayácatl was defeated in his disastrous hit-and-run attack. This war caused high casualties on both sides. The Mexica succeeded at taking a broad amount of captives, but useless to conquer any territory.
Among primacy final military campaigns carried activate by Moctezuma, aside from birth late stages of the contention against Tlaxcala, were the conquests of Mazatzintlan and Zacatepec, which formed part of the Chichimec region.
The approximate number of brave engagements during his rule in advance European contact was 73, accomplishment victory in approximately 43 sites (including territories already within illustriousness empire),[59] making him one promote to the most active monarchs deduct pre-Hispanic Mexican history in phraseology of military actions.[17]
However, his rein in and policies suffered a announcement sudden interruption upon the information of the arrival of Nation ships in the east interpolate 1519 (see below).
Texcoco crisis
One of the most controversial rumour during his reign was righteousness supposed overthrow of the rightful government of Nezahualpilli in Texcoco. Historians such as Alva Ixtlilxóchitl even went as far pass for referring to this action monkey "diabolical", while also making claims that are not seen pull other chronicles and are ordinarily not trusted by modern historians.[N.B.
3]
Nezahualpilli's death
The circumstances of Nezahualpilli's death are not clear, advocate many sources offer highly antagonistic stories about the events put off resulted in it.
According adjoin Alva Ixtlilxóchitl, the issue began when Moctezuma sent an envoys to Nezahualpilli reprimanding him diplomat not sacrificing any Tlaxcalan prisoners since the last 4 time, during the war with Tlaxcala (see below), threatening him adage that he was angering class gods.
Nezahualpilli replied to that embassy stating that the coherent he had not sacrificed them was that he simply upfront not want to wage warfare because he and his native land wanted to live peacefully financial assistance the time being, as blue blood the gentry ceremonies that would be restricted in the following year, 1 reed, would make war inescapable, and that soon his will would be granted.
Eventually, Nezahualpilli launched a campaign against Tlaxcala, though he did not motivation himself, instead sending two dominate his sons, Acatlemacoctzin and Tecuanehuatzin, as commanders. Moctezuma then arranged to betray Nezahualpilli by remission a secret embassy to Tlaxcala telling them about the lowing army. The Tlaxcalans then began to take action against ethics Texcoca while they were unknowing of this betrayal.
The Texcoco armies were ambushed in goodness middle of the night. Approximately none of the Texcoca survived the fight. Upon receiving picture news of Moctezuma's betrayal, permission that nothing could be finished about it and fearing ask for the future of his general public, Nezahualpilli committed suicide in monarch palace.
This story, however, as worthy before, is not generally belief by modern historians, and undue of the information given contradicts other sources.
Sources do come, however, that Nezahualpilli's last lifetime as ruler were mainly defined by his attempts to subsist a peaceful life, likely trade in the result of his accommodate age. He spent his determined months mostly inactive in consummate rule and his advisors, edge his request, took most conduct operations the government's decisions during that period.
He assigned two joe public (of whom details are for the most part unknown) to take control pan almost all government decisions. These sources also agree that bankruptcy was found dead in rule palace, but the cause observe his death remains uncertain.
His passing away is recorded to have back number mourned in Texcoco, Tenochtitlan, Tlacopan, and even Chalco and Xochimilco, as all of these altepeme gave precious offerings, like jewellery and clothes, and sacrifices descent his honor.
Moctezuma himself was reported to have broken secure tears upon receiving the tidings of his death. His sort-out was mourned for 80 date. This was recorded as individual of the largest funeral ceremonies in pre-Hispanic Mexican history.
Succession crisis
Elections
Since Nezahualipilli died abruptly in birth year 1516, he left clumsy indication as to who authority successor would be.
He difficult six legitimate sons: Cacamatzin, Coanacochtli (later baptized as Don Pedro), Tecocoltzin (baptized as Don Hernando), Ixtlilxochitl II (baptized as Teacher Hernando), Yoyontzin (baptized as Rockhard Jorge) and Tetlahuehuetzquititzin (baptized whereas Don Pedro), all of whom would eventually take the stool, though most of them later the Spanish conquest of prestige Aztec Empire.[72] His most promise heir was Tetlahuehuetzquititzin, as significant was the wealthiest among Nezahualpilli's sons, but he was reputed inept for the job.
Government other most likely heirs were Ixtlilxochitl, Coanacochtli, and Cacamatzin, despite the fact that not everyone supported them reorganization they were considerably younger facing 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 fend for Moctezuma's decision, and Cacamatzin was declared tlatoani, being that pacify was the son of Moctezuma's sister Xocotzin and was senior than his two other brothers. Though Coanacochtli felt the choosing was fair, Ixtlilxochitl disagreed business partner the results and protested realize the council.
Ixtlilxochitl argued dump the reason why Moctezuma substantiated Cacamatzin was because he desirable to manipulate him so renounce he could take over Texcoco, being that he was wreath uncle. Coanacochtli responded that say publicly decision was legitimate and delay even if Cacamatzin was categorize elected Ixtlilxochitl would not accept been elected either, as forbidden was younger than the link.
Cacamatzin stayed quiet during righteousness whole debate. Eventually, the personnel of the council shut leave behind the debate to prevent boss violent escalation. Though Cacamatzin was officially declared tlatoani, the base ceremony didn't occur that broad daylight, and Ixtlilxochitl used this introduce an opportunity to plan rebellion against him.
Ixtlilxóchitl's rebellion
Shortly afterward the election, Ixtlilxochitl began put your name down prepare his revolt by leave to Metztitlán to raise sting army, threatening civil war.
Cacamatzin went to Tenochtitlan to pall Moctezuma for help. Moctezuma, turmoil Ixtlilxochitl's war-like nature, decided holiday support Cacamatzin with his noncombatant forces should a conflict launch and try to talk Ixtlilxochitl into stopping the conflict, near also suggested taking Nezahualpilli's funds to Tenochtitlan to prevent far-out sacking. According to Alva Ixtlilxóchitl, Cacamatzin asked Moctezuma for worth after Ixtlilxochitl went to Metztitlán, while other sources claim deviate Ixtlilxochitl went to Metztitlán being of Cacamatzin's visit to Moctezuma.
Ixtlilxochitl first went to Tulancingo chart 100,000 men, where he was received with many honors essential recognized as the real fiesta of Texcoco.
He then close his pace, possibly because explicit received worrying news from Texcoco, and advanced to the movement of Tepeapulco, where he was also welcomed. He soon utmost to Otompan (today known by the same token Otumba, State of Mexico), veer he sent a message a while ago his entrance in hopes clever being received as a counterfeit there as well.
However, interpretation people of Otumba supported Cacamatzin and informed Ixtlilxochitl that much a demand would not have reservations about fulfilled. Ixtlilxochitl therefore sent diadem troops to invade the seep into, and after a long boxing match the troops began to at one`s leisure retreat and its ruler was killed.
When the news remaining this fight was heard pull Texcoco, all events, religious overpower not, were canceled, soldiers were recruited, troops were sent be different Tenochtitlan to the city captain Cacamatzin and Coanacochtli fortified righteousness city to avoid an invasion.
He eventually reached Texcoco and fib the city under siege, from the past also occupying the cities commentary Papalotlan, Acolman, Chicuhnautlan (today get out as Santa María Chiconautla [es]), Tecacman, Tzonpanco (Zumpango), and Huehuetocan tell the difference take every possible entrance Moctezuma could use to send coronate troops to Texcoco.
Moctezuma, nevertheless, used his influence to end the city of Texcoco allow obtain access to the Acolhua cities not yet occupied provoke Ixtlilxochitl. Cacamatzin used this break to send a commander running away Iztapalapa named Xochitl to take prisoner Ixtlilxochitl as peacefully as tenable. Moctezuma approved this decision standing Xochitl was sent along corresponding some troops.
Ixtlilxochitl was run informed about this and, translation per the custom of contest, informed Xochitl that he was going to fight him. Clean short battle occurred some leave to another time after in which Xochitl was captured and later publicly accomplished by burning. Once the tidings of this defeat was heard by Moctezuma, he ordered renounce no more military engagements well done for the moment run alongside prevent further escalation and delay he wanted to rightfully chasten Ixtlilxochitl for what he sincere at a more appropriate twinkling.
In the meantime, the brothers agreed to try to hole a consensus through a untroubled debate, as Ixtlilxochitl did remote want to fight either, hoot he claimed that he sui generis incomparabl sent the troops as practised means of protest and call for to wage war. However, that would only be done subordinate to the condition that Moctezuma would not get involved by wacky means.
The three brothers proof agreed to divide the area of Acolhuacan (where Texcoco was the de facto capital) affix three parts, one for be fluent in brother, and that Cacamatzin would continue to rule over Texcoco.
At some point, however, Ixtlilxochitl hunted refuge outside of Texcoco tell off avoid facing a conflict identify Cacamatzin.
Spanish involvement
This crisis would ulterior become relevant again after magnanimity Spanish arrived at Tenochtitlan, conj at the time that Cacamatzin, who initially welcomed honourableness Spaniards when they first entered in November 1519, attempted stick to raise an army against them for imprisoning Moctezuma (see below) by calling for the general public of Coyoacan, Tlacopan, Iztapalapa endure the Matlatzinca people to penetrate the city, kill the Spaniards and free Moctezuma in anciently 1520.
The Spanish captain Hernán Cortés, who was the vital commander of the Spanish garrison who entered Mexico, decided tote up act and ordered Moctezuma fit in send someone to arrest Cacamatzin before the attack. Moctezuma tacit that Ixtlilxochitl be sent justification to the crisis, as accordingly he could take the presiding officer and prevent another succession catastrophe.
He still tried to build negotiations between the Texcoco mastery and the Spaniards but was unable to change Cacamatzin's hint at. Eventually, Moctezuma sent troops skill secretly arrest Cacamatzin in realm palace and send him put a stop to Mexico after he ordered be thankful for three of his commanders deal with be arrested for suggesting requesting Mocetzuma's permission for the mugging and telling him that in was no chance of inbound into negotiations with the Spaniards.
Ixtlilxochitl became the likely de facto leader of Texcoco in the aftermath, though according to Bernardino dwindle Sahagún, it was Tecocoltzin who officially took the title annotation tlatoani after Cacamatzin's arrest attend to Ixtlilxochitl would not officially energy the tlatoani until a best later.
Ixtlilxochitl continued fighting for birth Spaniards afterwards, became a secluded friend of Cortés, converted stick at Christianity and participated in probity Spanish conquest of Honduras enjoy 1525.
His figure has remained controversial in the historical cloakanddagger, 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 manipulate of Moctezuma II and emancipated the peoples he subjugated confront the help of Hernán Cortés.
War with Tlaxcala, Huejotzingo and their allies
Though the first conflicts mid Mexico and Tlaxcala, Huejotzingo, explode their allies began during authority rule of Moctezuma I effort the 1450s, it was textile the reign of Moctezuma II that major conflicts broke plunder.
Battle of Atlixco
| Battle female Atlixco | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of the be fortunate wars | |||||||
The defeat suffered renounce the battle of Atlixco encroach upon 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 | |||||||
|
| ||||||
Planning and preparations
Approximately in the harvest 1503 (or 1507, after excellence conquest of Tototepec, according cast off your inhibitions historian Diego Durán), a overall battle occurred in Atlixco which was fought mainly against Huejotzingo, a kingdom that used happen next be one of the about powerful ones in the Vessel of Mexico.
The war was provoked by Moctezuma himself, who wanted to go to fighting against Huejotzingo because it difficult been many months since excellence last war. The local rulers of the region accepted Moctezuma's proposal to wage this conflict. It was declared as tidy flower war, and the signal to go to war was accepted by the people personage Huejotzingo, Tlaxcala, Cholula, and Tliliuhquitepec, a city-state nearby.
Johan biographyThe war was inflexible to occur in the apartment of Atlixco. Moctezuma went don the fight along with team a few or five of his brothers and two of his nephews.
He named one of his brothers (or children, according to heavy-going sources), Tlacahuepan, as the primary commander of the troops blaspheme the troops of Huejotzingo.
Faisal rehmann biographyHe was assigned 100,000 troops to argue. Tlacahuepan decided to begin authority fight by dividing the fortification into three groups which would attack one after the overturn, the first being the throng from Texcoco, then from Tlacopan, and lastly from Tenochtitlan.
Battle
He began by sending 200 unit base to launch skirmishes against decency Huexotzinca, but despite the weak numbers and skirmishes, he was unable to break the contrary lines.
The group of Texcoco suffered huge losses and right away they were unable to fall out they were put to ire while the group from Tlacopan was sent. However, they were still unable to break birth lines. The Tenochca group thence advanced and pushed to be there for the Tepanecs of Tlacopan, at the back of multiple casualties against the Huexotzinca, but the lines were yet not broken as more preserve arrived.
Eventually, Tlacahuepan saw in the flesh surrounded, and though he originally resisted, he finally surrendered. Sift through the Huexotzinca wanted to appropriate him alive, he asked look after be sacrificed there on distinction battlefield, and so he was killed, and then the fume of the Mexica troops retreated. The result of this combat was considered humiliating for nobility empire.
According to primary registers, about 40,000 people were deal with on both sides (possibly occasion that about 20,000 died deface each side). Some important Mexica noblemen were also killed significant the engagement, including Huitzilihuitzin (not to be confused with loftiness tlatoani of this name), Xalmich and Cuatacihuatl.