| Chimalpopoca | |
|---|---|
_WDL6720.png) Chimalpopoca as depicted in theTovar Codex. | |
| Tlatoani of Tenochtitlan | |
| Predecessor | Huitzilihuitl |
| Successor | Xihuitl Temoc[1] Itzcoatl |
| Born | 1397 |
| Died | 1427 |
| Spouse | QueenMatlalatzin |
| Issue | Tezozomoc |
| Father | EmperorHuitzilihuitl |
| Mother | EmpressAyauhcihuatl |
Chimalpopoca (Classical Nahuatl:Chīmalpopōca[t͡ʃiːmaɬpoˈpoːka] for "smoking shield,"modern Nahuatl pronunciationⓘ) orChīmalpopōcatzin (1397–1427) was the thirdEmperor ofTenochtitlan (1417–1427).
Chimalpopoca was born to the EmperorHuitzilihuitl and QueenAyauhcihuatl.
Chimalpopoca was crowned in 1417 (some sources say 1416 or 1418), at approximately 20 years old. At that time, Tenochtitlan was a tributary of theTepanec city ofAzcapotzalco, which was ruled by his grandfatherTezozomoc. This alliance, and the Mexicas' position within it, was strengthened by Tenochtitlan's loyalty during Tezozomoc's 1418 war withIxtlilxochitl I ofTexcoco. The conquered city was granted to Tenochtitlan as a tributary.
Nezahualcoyotl, displaced prince of Texcoco, was living in the mountains. Chimalpopoca interceded with Tezozomoc on his behalf, and Tezozomoc agreed to allow Netzahualcoyotl to live in Tenochtitlan under his protection.[2]
In 1426 Tezozómoc assisted Chimalpopoca in the construction of a new aqueduct. This aqueduct was of wood, and ran from the elevated place ofChapultepec to Tenochtitlan.
Chimalpopoca also had a causeway constructed toTlacopan. 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. The conquest ofTequizquiac is also attributed to him.
Chimalpopoca was the son ofHuitzilihuitl, the previous ruler,[3] but there are some sources[4] that say he was a son ofAcamapichtli, the first ruler of Tenochtitlan, making himHuitzilihuitl's brother.Gerónimo de Mendieta, in hisHistoria eclesiástica indiana, notes the discrepancy and concludes that Huitzilihuitl, Chimalpopoca andItzcoatl (Chimalpopoca's successor) must have been brothers, based on his understanding of the Aztec system ofsuccession.[5]
He had many wives and children. One of the wives was his cousinMatlalatzin. His son wasTezozomoc, king ofEcatepec.
Three versions of the family tree of the first Aztec rulers:
| Acamapichtli | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Huitzilihuitl | Itzcoatl | Huitzilihuitl | Acamapichtli | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Chimalpopoca | Chimalpopoca | Itzcoatl | Huitzilihuitl | Chimalpopoca | Itzcoatl | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Chimalpopoca was a grandson of Acamapichtli andTezozomoc and half-brother ofMoctezuma I.
When Tezozomoc died in 1426 after a long reign, he was succeeded by his son Tayauh (also known asTayatzin). HoweverMaxtla, ruler ofCoyoacan and brother of Tayauh, usurped the throne. Chimalpopoca allied with Tayauh, and so Maxtla had Chimalpopoca killed, though the details remain unclear. Maxtla also raised the tribute required from Tenochtitlan as further punishment for Chimalpopoca's actions.[6]
Maxtla subsequently named their brother,Itzcoatl, thetlatoani of the region. However, Itzcoatl quickly allied himself withNezahualcoyotl of Texcoco andTotoquihuatzin of Tlacopan, and they collectively took down Maxtla, who had remained the Tepanec king.[6]
| Regnal titles | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Tlatoani ofTenochtitlan 1417–1427 | Succeeded by |
