| Tlahtoāni ofAztec Empire | |
|---|---|
 Sacred war emblem | |
| Details | |
| Style | Huēyi tlahtoāni |
| First monarch | Acamapichtli |
| Last monarch | Cuauhtémoc |
| Formation | c. 1376 |
| Abolition | 1521 |
| Residence | Tenochtitlan |
| Appointer | Council of Elders |
Tlahtoāni[1] (Classical Nahuatl:tlahtoānipronounced[t͡ɬaʔtoˈaːniˀ]ⓘ, "ruler, sovereign"; pluraltlahtohqueh[2][t͡ɬaʔˈtoʔkeʔ]) is a historical title used by the dynastic rulers ofāltepēmeh (singularāltepētl, often translated into English as "city-state"), autonomous political entities formed by manypre-ColumbianNahuatl-speaking peoples in theValley of Mexico during thePostclassic Period. The title ofhuēyi tlahtoāni [es] ([ˈweːjiˀt͡ɬaʔtoˈaːniˀ], "great ruler, emperor") was used by the rulers of theAztec Empire, an alliance between theāltepēmeh ofTenochtitlan,Tetzcoco, andTlacopan.[3]
Eachāltepētl had its owntlahtoāni who would concurrently function as its ruler,high priest andcommander-in-chief. Thetlahtoāni wielded ultimate authority over all land within theāltepētl, overseeingtribute collection, market activities, temple affairs, and the resolution of judicial disputes.[4] Typically a dynastic ruler hailing from the royal lineage, thetlahtoāni served for life. However, in certain instances, a council of nobles, elders, and priests could elect atlahtoāni from a pool of four candidates.[5]
The termtlahtoāni ([t͡ɬaʔtoˈaːniˀ]) is anagent noun derived from the verbtlahtoa, meaning "to speak", thereby carrying the literal meaning of "one who speaks". In English, it has been translated variously as "king", "sovereign", "ruler" or, based on its etymology, "speaker". It takes the plural formtlahtohqueh ([t͡ɬaʔˈtoʔkeʔ]), and theconstruct form*tlahtohcā-, as intlahtohcāyōtl ("rulership, realm"),tlahtohcātlālli ("royal lands"), andtlahtohcācalli ("royal palace").[6]
Related titles includetlahtohcāpilli ([t͡ɬaʔtoʔkaːˈpilːiˀ]), given toprinces and other prominent noblemen, andcihuātlahtoāni ([siwaːt͡ɬaʔtoˈaːniˀ]), used to designate noblewomen includingconsorts orprincesses.[7]
Thecihuācōātl was the second in command after thetlahtoāni, was a member of the nobility, served as the supreme judge for the court system, appointed all lower court judges, and handled the financial affairs of theāltepētl.[4]
During times of war, thetlahtoāni would be in charge of creating battle plans, and making strategies for his army. He would draft these plans after receiving information from various scouts, messengers, and spies who were sent out to an enemyāltepētl (city-state). Detailed information was presented to him from those reports to be able to construct a layout of the enemy. This was essential because this ensured the safety and success of each battle.
These layouts would be heavily detailed from city structures to surrounding area. Thetlahtoāni would be the most informed about any conflict and would be the primary decision maker during war.[8]
He would also be in charge of gaining support from allied rulers by sending gifts and emissaries from his city-state. During warfare thetlahtoāni would be informed immediately of deaths and captures of his warriors. He would also be in charge of informing his citizens about fallen or captive warriors, and would present gifts to the successful ones.
There were eleventlahtohqueh of Tenochtitlan. Beginning with Itzcoatl, thetlahtoāni of Tenochtitlan was also thehuēyi tlahtoāni of theAztec Empire.