| Itzcoatl | |
|---|---|
 Itzcoatl in theCodex Mendoza | |
| Tlatoani of Tenochtitlan | |
| Reign | 1427–1440 |
| Predecessor | Xihuitl Temoc[1] |
| Successor | Moctezuma I |
| Born | c. 1380 |
| Died | 1440(1440-00-00) (aged 59–60) |
| Spouse | Huacaltzintli |
| Issue | Tezozomoc |
| Father | Acamapichtli |
| Mother | Tepanec woman from Azcapotzalco |
Itzcoatl (Classical Nahuatl:Itzcōhuātl[it͡sˈkoːwaːt͡ɬ], "Obsidian Serpent",modern Nahuatl pronunciationⓘ) (c. 1380–1440) was the fourthking ofTenochtitlan, and the founder of theAztec Empire, ruling from 1427 to 1440. Under Itzcoatl theMexica[2] of Tenochtitlan threw off the domination of theTepanecs and established the Triple Alliance (Aztec Empire) together with the other city-statesTetzcoco andTlacopan.
Itzcoatl was the natural son oftlàtoāniAcamapichtli and an unknown Tepanec woman from Azcapotzalco.[3] He was elected as the king when his predecessor, his nephewChimalpopoca, was killed byMaxtla of the nearby Tepanecāltepētl (city-state) ofAzcapotzalco. Allying withNezahualcoyotl ofTexcoco, Itzcoatl went on to defeat Maxtla and end the Tepanec domination of central Mexico.
After this victory, Itzcoatl, Nezahualcoyotl, andTotoquilhuaztli, king ofTlacopan, forged what would become known as theAztec Triple Alliance, forming the basis of the eventualAztec Empire.
Itzcoatl next turned his attention to thechinampas districts on the south shores ofLakes Xochimilco andChalco. Fresh water springs lining these shores had allowed the development of extensive raised gardens, orchinampas, set on the shallow lake floors. Successful campaigns againstXochimilco (1430),Mixquic (1432),Cuitlahuac (1433), andTezompa would secure agricultural resources forTenochtitlan and, along with the conquest ofCulhuacan andCoyoacán, would cement the Triple Alliance's control over the southern half of theValley of Mexico.
With this string of victories, Itzcoatl tookIn 1439, Itzcoatl undertook a campaign outside the Valley of Mexico against Cuauhnahuac (Cuernavaca).
According to theFlorentine Codex, Itzcoatl ordered theburning of all historicalcodices because it was "not wise that all the people should know the paintings".[4][5] Among other purposes, this allowed the Aztec state to develop a state-sanctionedofficial history and mythos that veneratedHuitzilopochtli.
Itzcoatl also continued the building of Tenochtitlan: during his reign temples, roads, and a causeway were built. Itzcoatl established the religious and governmental hierarchy that was assumed by his nephewMoctezuma I upon his death in 1440.
Itzcoatl was a son of Acamapichtli and half-brother ofHuitzilihuitl. He was an uncle ofChimalpopoca andMoctezuma I.
He married princessHuacaltzintli and had a sonTezozomoc.
| Preceded by | Tlatoani of Tenochtitlan 1427–1440 | Succeeded by |
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
