Chimalpopoca
Chimalpopoca (
1397–
1427) was the third
tlatoani, or
Aztec ruler of
Tenochtitlan (1417-1427). He was elected
tlatoani after the death of his father
Huitzilíhuitl.
On the day of Chimalpopoca's coronation in 1417 (some sources say 1416 or 1418), his brother
Tlacaelel was named high priest. From this point on the ecclesiastical and governmental offices among the Aztecs were separate.
When he assumed the throne at age 20, Tenochtitlan was a tributary of
Azcapotzalco, which was ruled by his grandfather
Tezozómoc. This alliance, and the Mexicas' position within it, was strengthened by Tenochtitlan's loyalty during Tezozómoc's 1418 war with
Ixtlilxochitl I of
Texcoco. The conquered city was granted to Tenochtitlan as a tributary.
Netzahualcóyotl, displaced prince of
Texcoco, was living in the mountains. Chimalpopoca interceded with Tezozómoc on his behalf, and Tezozómoc agreed to allow Netzahualcóyotl to live in Tenochtitlan under his protection.
In 1426 Tezozómoc assisted Chimalpopoca in the construction of a new aqueduct. This aqueduct was of wood, and ran from the elevated place of
Chapultepec to Tenochtitlan.
Chimalpopoca also had a causeway constructed to
Tlacopan. The causeway contained openings spanned by wooden bridges, which were removed at night. Also during his reign he dedicated a stone for sacrifices in the Tlacocomoco section of Tenochtitlan. To him is attributed the conquest of
Tequizquiac.
When Tezozómoc died in 1427 after a long reign, he was succeeded by his son
Tayatzin. However
Maxtla, ruler of
Coyoacan and older half-brother of Tayatzin, soon incited a rebellion among the nobles of Azcapotzalco and usurped the throne. Chimalpopoca allied with Tayatzin, and the two conspired to retake the throne and kill Maxtla. Friendly relations between Tenochtitlan and Azcapotzalco were thus replaced by insults and violent intrigue, apparently involving tit-for-tat assassination attempts. Maxtla sent Chimalpopoca a present of women's clothing, and insulted his lover.
Teyatzin was killed, and Chimalpopoca decided to offer himself as a sacrifice at the altar of his father Huitzilíhuitl. Some of his nobles joined him. In the middle of the ceremony, before the
tlatoani's turn, an expeditionary force from Azcapotzalco invaded Tenochtitlan, took Chimalpopoca prisoner and carried him to Azcapotzalco. There he was exhibited in a cage and kept on starvation rations. He committed suicide, hanging himself from a beam with his belt. (Another account says he was strangled by his captors.)
His uncle
Itzcóatl succeeded him as
tlatoani.
*"Azcapotzalco,"
Enciclopedia de México, vol. 2. Mexico City: 1987.
*"Chimalpopoca,"
Enciclopedia de México, vol. 4. Mexico City: 1987.
*García Puron, Manuel,
México y sus gobernantes, vol. 1. Mexico City: Joaquín Porrua, 1984.
*Orozco Linares, Fernando,
Gobernantes de México. Mexico City: Panorama Editorial, 1985.
