- Ixtlilxochitl I
Ixtlilxochitl Ome Tochtli was the ruler ("
tlatoani ") of theAcolhua city-state of Texcoco from 1409 to 1418 and the father of the famous "poet-king"Nezahualcoyotl .Early years as "tlatoani"
Claiming descent from the legendary
Chichimec chieftains Xolotl and Nopaltzin, Ixtlixochitl became "tlatoani" of Texcoco in 1409 after the death of his father,Techotlala . For several years thereafter, Ixtlilxochitl continued to pay tribute to the powerfulTepanec city of Azcapotzalco and its "tlatoani" Tezozomoc. However, Ixtlilxochitl grew restive in this role and, in preference to Tezozomoc's daughter, married theMexica princess Matlalcihuatzin, a daughter ofHuitzilihuitl , "tlatoani" ofTenochtitlan .In 1414, Ixtlilxochitl took the title "Chichimeca Tecuhtli" ("Lord of the Chichimecs") and urged the Mexica to ally with him against Azcapotzalco. However,
Huitzilihuitl , perhaps in deference to his wife, Tezozomoc's daughter, maintained his support of Tezozomoc and Azcapotzalco.Tezozomoc attacks
In response to Ixtlilxochitl's defiance, Tezozomoc led a large army, including Mexica forces, against Texcoco. Despite some initial successes, Tezozomoc was repulsed. Ixtlilxochitl reacted to this victory by taking the battle to Azcapotzalco, and besieged it for several months. Unable to take the city, however, Ixtlilxochitl lifted the siege, and returned to Texcoco.
In 1417,
Huitzilihuitl died and was succeeded as Mexica "tlatoani" by his sonChimalpopoca . Like his father, Chimalpopoca remained loyal to Tezozomoc, his grandfather.The following year, the Tepanec forces, including Mexica contingents, again laid siege to Texcoco this time driving out Ixtlilxochitl, who was finally cornered in the foothills of
Mount Tlaloc . His young sonNezahualcoyotl witnessed his death from the branches of a nearby tree.Texcoco was awarded to Tenochtitlan as a tributary, and Nezahualcoyotl fled into exile in
Huexotzingo . Ten years later Nezahualcoyotl would avenge his father's death and retake Texcoco with the help ofItzcoatl , the next "tlatoani" ofTenochtitlan .References
* |year=1973 |title=The Aztecs: A History|location=London |publisher=Macmillan |isbn=0-333-12404-9
* |year=2000 |title=The Aztecs |edition=revised ed. |publisher=Thames and Hudson |location=London |isbn=0-500-28132-7
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