Acamapichtli

It has been suggested that Tezcatlan Miyahuatzin be merged into this article. (Discuss) Proposed since February 2024.

Acamapichtli
Aztec Triple Alliance, Cihuacoatl
Reign	1367–1387, 1376–1395 or 1350–1403
Predecessor	Ilancueitl[1]
Successor	Huitzilihuitl
Died	1387, 1395 or 1403
Wives	Ilancueitl Tezcatlan Miyahuatzin Huitzilxotzin Xiuhcuetzin other wives
Issue	Huitzilihuitl Itzcoatl Tlatolqaca Quatlecoatl Matlalxoch other children
Father	Opochtli Iztahuatzin
Mother	Princess Atotoztli I

Acamapichtli (

Biography

Family and early life

Acamapichtli was not a native of Tenochtitlan. Blood relationships between rulers were an important aspect of politics in 14th century Mexico, and as relative newcomers, the Mexicans were at a disadvantage. On the death of

Toltecs

, making their bloodline particularly prestigious.

The Spanish colonial historians

each mention Acamapichtli's maternal uncle, who occupied the throne of Culhuacan in 1324.

Reign

Tovar Codex

.

Acamapichtli began his rule as cihuacóatl (governor). At the time of his designation he was 20 years old, living in

Culhuacán

, Acolmiztli.

To integrate these ties with the city of Tenochtitlan, Acamapichtli took a wife from each Tenochtitlan calpulli (in addition to his first wife Ilancuetl).

In the same year, Tenochtitlan's sister city of

, the other major power in the region.

Despite Acamapichtli's Culhua ancestry, his city rapidly fell into the Tepanec orbit and became a tributary of Azcapotzalco. During his reign Mexica forces fought for Azcapotzalco against various city states, notably

.

Tribute was due to the Tecpanec rulers every full moon, a tribute said to be oppressive and capricious. In spite of the hostility of Azcapotzalco, Tenochtitlan progressed. The island on which the city was situated (and the only territory subject to its rule) was enlarged to the east with the addition of dirt and rock. The Mexica were careful, however, to maintain a proper distance from the mainland, for defensive purposes in the event of war.

Built in the middle of

Great Pyramid

, Temple II, dates to his reign.

During his reign, the city was divided into four neighborhoods or calpullis: Moyotlán in the southwest; Zoquipan in the southeast; Cuecopan in the northwest; and Atzacualco in the northeast. Houses of cane and reeds were replaced with houses of stone. A great temple, or teocalli, was also constructed. It is said that during his reign, the first Aztec laws were made.

In 1382, Acamapichtli was named tlatoani. He was crowned with even more pomp than before, at the altar of

.

Acamapichtli was an astute politician who strengthened his position more by alliances with his neighbors than by wars (of which there were only two or three during his reign). He avoided difficulties with the more powerful rulers, in the case of Tezozómoc, by paying the demanded tribute. Tezozómoc asked for a chinampa cultivated with beautiful flowers, and the Aztecs formed one, raised the flowers, and floated the chinampa to him over the lake.

Heirs and succession

Acamapichtli's first wife bore him no children, so he took another wife,

, also became tlatoani in 1427. He was the son of a slave Acamapichtli had bought in the market of Azcapotzalco. She was of noble birth, but had been captured and enslaved. Although tlatoani was not strictly a hereditary title, candidates were clearly restricted to a small class of princes, and all later Aztec rulers descended from Acamapichtli.

Before his death, Acamapichtili called together the chiefs of the four neighborhoods into which he had divided the city, and asked them to elect his successor. Before the death of Acamapichtili, they chose his eldest son Huitzilíhuitl. Acamapichtili approved the election, and then died. After the death of his father, Huitzilíhuitl consolidated his power by ordering a new election, with more electors, including important warriors and priests.

Personal life

Among his wives were Ilancueitl, Tezcatlan Miyahuatzin, Huitzilxotzin, and Xiuhcuetzin.^{[citation needed]}

See also

• List of Tenochtitlan rulers

References

Bibliography

• ISBN 978-0-8165-3478-4
  .
• Hubert Howe Bancroft (1876). The Native Races of the Pacific States of North America: Primitive history. 1876. Vol. 5. D. Appleton.
• (in Spanish) "Acamapichtili", Enciclopedia de México, v. 1. Mexico City: 1987.
• (in Spanish) García Puron, Manuel, México y sus gobernantes,, v. 1. Mexico City: Joaquín Porrua, 1984.
• (in Spanish) Orozco Linares, Fernando, Gobernantes de México. Mexico City: Panorama Editorial, 1985,
  ISBN 968-38-0260-5
  .
• (in Spanish) Tezozómoc, Fernando Alvarado, Crónica mexicana. 1891.
• (in Spanish) Tezozómoc, Fernando Alvarado,
  Crónica mexicayotl
  . 1949.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to:
Acamapichtli (category)

• Acamapichtli Entry in The Visual History Project

Regnal titles
Preceded by Position created	Tlatoani of Tenochtitlan 1376–1395	Succeeded by Huitzilihuitl