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AZTEC
RULERS
Introduction
• In the beginning stages of Tenochtitlan development,
Aztec life was very difficult in their undesirable location.
Tenochtitlan was located on a marshy island with limited
resources.
• They built a few thatch and mud huts and some small
temples. The Aztecs had to work constantly to maintain
a city on swampy land.
• There were also continuing tensions between the Aztecs
and their neighbours on the mainland. Despite these
obstacles the Aztecs worked tirelessly to improve their
lives.
• They adopted an agricultural system of farming called
the Chinampas, and transformed the land into a fertile
and highly productive island.
• As the Aztec empire expanded, specialized
craftsmen and laborers were brought in to
expand the city.
• Since it was built on swamp land, large wooden
stakes were driven into the soft ground to
provide foundations for the new buildings.
• Often the temples and palaces would sink below
ground level. As a result, the older buildings
were continuously repaired or rebuilt with the
newer structures built over the older core.
• By 1376, the Aztecs knew that they had to
select an emperor of royal lineage (roots),
to gain the respect of their neighbours.
• Each emperor was elected from the royal
lineage by a council made up of priest,
warriors, and nobles.
• The reigns would first pass from brother to
brother before they were passed to the
next generation.
• They chose a man by the name of
Acamapichtli as their emperor. He was
related to the last rulers of the Culhuacan,
and his lineage extended back to the great
ruler Quetzalcoatl.
• With the selection of Acamapichtli as the
Aztecs first true emperor, they were able
to claim descendancy from the Toltecs.
1st Ruler: Acamapichtli
(1376-1395)
Guided early construction of
the city, accomplished a
number of local conquests
'Handful of Arrows'. Was the
first "true" emperor, and
descended from the Toltecs.
2nd Ruler: Huitziláihuitl
(1395-1417)
Was the son of Acamapichtli.
Guided early construction of the
city, accomplished a number of
local conquests 'Hummingbird
Feather'
3rd Ruler: Chimalpopoca
(1417-1427)
Believed to have been the
grandson of Acamapichtli.
Under his leadership, the
people serve as mercenaries to
Tezozomoc, a ruthless warrior
of the Tepanecs. He died in a
mysterious fashion, likely by the
hands of the Tepanecs. Guided
the early construction of the city,
and accomplished a number of
local conquests 'Smoking
Shield'
4th Ruler: Itzcóatl
(1428-1440)
Was related to Acamapichtli. Under his
leadership, the Aztecs broke with the
Tepanecs. Itzcóatl's advisor was a
brillant and powerful man named
Tlacaelel. He suggested that all early
recorded history be burned, and
history be rewritten beginning at that
time.
Formed a coalition with other lakeside
people against the Tepanecs, and
brought an end to the Tepanec
domination of the basin of Mexico by
sacking the city of Alzcapotzalco. It
was a time for building and the city of
Tenochtitlan grew and prospered. He
founded the empire of the Triple
Alliance
'Obsidian Serpent'
5th Ruler: Moctezuma I
(1440-1469)
Moctezuma was Itzcóal's nephew. During
his rule the Aztec empire was greatly
expanded. He built botanical and zoological
gardens, where every known plant and
animal were collected and studied. It was
also during his reign, that a severe drought
caused a great famine. His people had to
sell themselves to the people of Veracruz.
Human sacrifice dramatically increased and
the "Flowery Wars" provided the necessary
sacrificial victims. Established the Aztecs'
victorious military program, greatly
expanded Aztec empire
'Angry Lord, Archer in the Sky'
Chimalpopoca's son and
Moctezuma Ilhuicamina's
daughter married and had three
sons who became rulers.
6th Ruler: Axayácatl
(1469-1481)
Was Moctezuma's grandson
who spent most of his time
reconquering lost territories and
suppressing rebellions.
Continued to expand the Aztec
empire, lost to the fierce
Tarascans of Michoacan
'Water Face'
7th Ruler: Tizoc
(1481-1486)
Was Moctezuma's grandson
and Axayácatl brother. He was
a relatively weak and cowardly
leader; "his life was short and
his deeds few." His principal
achievement being to initiate a
major renovation and
expansion of the Templo
Mayor complex 'Chalk Leg'
8th Ruler: Ahuizotl
(1486-1502)
Was Moctezuma's grandson and
brother of Axayácatl and Tizoc. He
was an aggressive, fierce military
leader who expanded Aztec
territory to the Guatemalan border.
The main temple at Tenochtitlán
was completed during his reign.
Sacrificed 20,000 to 80,000 victims
at the main temple's opening
ceremony. 'Water Beast'
9th Ruler: Moctezuma II
(1502-1520)
The son of Axayácatl, great grandson of
Moctezuma I. He was a powerful,
knowledgeable emperor, but a capable
and demanding leader. He was trained to
be an emperor since birth. He
transformed Tenochtitlán into an awe
inspiring cultural metropolis. He was very
superstitous and believed in the legend of
Quetzalcóatl. He will always be
remembered for his surrender of
Tenochtitlán to the Spanish. He died in
1520 in the midst of a bloodly battle
against the Spanish.
'Angry Lord, The Younger'
10th Ruler: Cuitláhuac
(1520)
He was Moctezuma’s
nephew. He only ruled for 80
days, then died of smallpox
which was brought by the
Spaniards.
11th Ruler: Cuauhtémoc
(1520-1524)
He was the son of Ahuitzáotl,
and nephew to Moctezuma and
Cuitláhuach. He was the last of
the Aztec emperors and the
bravest of them all. He fought
courageously against the
Spaniards in defence of their
great city, Tenochtitlán (which
was eventually destroyed). He
was hung by the Spaniards in
1524.
BIBLIOGRAPHY:
http://www.wsu.edu/~dee/CIVAMRCA/AZTECS.HTM