This is a list of Mesoamerican tlatoque of the altepetl of Tetzcoco from the first tlatoani in 1298 to the end of the line of indigenous rulers. From the early 15th century to 1521, Tetzcoco was one of the three leading members of the Triple Alliance, commonly known as the Aztec Empire, but was often subservient to the rulers of Tenochtitlan. The Aztec Empire was conquered by Spain in 1521, but the Spanish colonial authorities continued to appoint tlatoque of Tetzcoco until the office was abolished in 1564.
Pre-colonial rulers (1298–1521)
Early Tetzcoco (1298–1431) The tlatoque of Tetzcoco were descendants and successors of earlier tlatoque of the Chichimeca, succeeding Xolotl (1172–1232), Nopaltzin (1232–1263) and Tlotzin (1263–1298).
PortraitNameReignSuccession and notesLife details Quinatzin 1298–1357 First tlatoani of Tetzcoco. ? – 1357Died of natural causes Techotlalatzin 1357–1409 Son of Quinatzin (1298–1357). ? – 1409Died of natural causes Ixtlilxochitl I 1409–1418 Son of Techotlalatzin (1357–1409). ? – 1520Executed by the Tepanec conqueror Tezozomoc. Yancuiltzin 1418–1431 Son of Ixtilxochtli I (1409–1418). Appointed by Tezozomoc. Co-ruler with Tochpilli under Tepanec suzerainty. Unknown fate Tochpilli 1418–1431 Son of Ixtilxochtli I (1409–1418). Appointed by Tezozomoc. Co-ruler with Yancuiltzin under Tepanec suzerainty. Unknown fate
In the Triple Alliance (1431–1521) PortraitNameReignSuccession and notesLife details Nezahualcoyotl 1431–1472 Son of Ixtilxochtli I (1409–1418). Nearly executed by Tezozomoc in 1418 but escaped with the aid of Itzcoatl of Tenochtitlan. Became king in 1431 during Tenochtitlan's uprising against the Tepanecs; founding member of the Triple Alliance (Aztec Empire) who led great campaigns of conquest. ? – 1472Died of natural causes Nezahualpilli 1472–1515 Son of Nezahualcoyotl (1431–1472). ? – 1515Died of natural causes Cacamatzin 1515–1519 Son of Nezahualpilli (1472–1515). Revolted against the forces of Hernán Cortés after they imprisoned Moctezuma II in 1519. ? – 1520Arrested by Cortés and deposed. Died shortly thereafter. Cuicuizcatl 1519–1520 Son of Nezahualpilli (1472–1515). Appointed by Hernán Cortés in Tenochtitlan after Cacamatzin's revolt; never took power in Tetzcoco itself and not regarded as legitimate by the city's nobility. ? – 1520Escaped Tenochtitlan during La Noche Triste. Executed by Coanacoch, who believed he was sent home by the Spaniards. Coanacoch 1520–1521 Son of Nezahualpilli (1472–1515). Elected in Tetzcoco as Cacamatzin's successor. ? – 1524Fled to Tenochtitlan in 1521 after the approach of the Spaniards. Captured there later in the same year. Executed by Cortés in 1524.
Colonial period (1521–1564) The line of tlatoque continued in Tetzococo after the Spanish conquest. Adept at navigating the new Spanish colonial governing system and adapting to changing circumstances, many of the nobles of Tetzcoco, including the tlatoque, came through the cataclysmic downfall of the Aztec Empire in a stronger position than they had been previously. Allowing the nobility of Tetzcoco to continue to appoint local rulers of the same pre-colonial dynasty was also beneficial for the Spaniards, who utilized their legitimacy to ensure the delivery of tribute and political subordination.
PortraitNameReignSuccession and notesLife details Tecocoltzin 1521 Son of Nezahualpilli (1472–1515). Appointed by Hernán Cortés after the flight of Coanacoch due to his sympathies for the Spaniards. Tecocoltzin repopulated and strengthened Tetzcoco and also took a leading role in the offensive against Tenochtitlan. ? – 1521Died of natural causes just before the fall of Tenochtitlan Ixtlilxochitl II 1521–1531 Son of Nezahualpilli (1472–1515). Previously a rival claimant to the position of tlatoani. Appointed by Hernán Cortés. ? – 1531Died of natural causes Yoyontzin 1532–1533 Son of Nezahualpilli (1472–1515). ? – 1533Died of natural causes Tetlahuehuetzquititzin 1534–1539 Son of Nezahualpilli (1472–1515). Previously passed over in 1515 in favor of Cacamatzin. ? – May 1539Died of natural causes Tlahuitoltzin 1540–1545 Son of Nezahualpilli (1472–1515). Politically skilled, Tiahuitoltzin's rule was a period of relative stability in Tetzcoco despite the upheaval that ravaged Mesoamerica at the time. ? – 1545Died of natural causes Ihuian 1545–1564 Son of Coanacoch (1520–1521). Politically skilled like his predecessor, also oversaw a peaceful and stable period in Tetzcoco. ? – 1564Died of natural causes
The state of affairs in Tetzcoco after the death of Ihuian in 1564 is unclear given that few surviving sources discuss local politics during this time. It seems that the position of tlatoani was left vacant due to interfamilial conflict in regard to who was to be the next ruler, which in turn led to the office being entirely replaced by the Spanish-appointed governors of the city.
See also The other leaders of the Triple Alliance: List of tlatoque of Tenochtitlan List of rulers of Tlacopan History of the Aztecs Other rulers to the south: Maya monarchs Mixtec monarchs
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