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''Tlahtoāni'' is more precisely an agent noun based on the verb ''tlahtoa'', not just the "noun form", which is ambiguous.
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'''''Tlahtoāni''''' or '''''tlatoani''''' ({{Lang-nci|tlahtoāni}} {{IPA-nah|t͡ɬaʔtoˈaːniˀ|pron|Tlajtoani.ogg}}, "one who speaks, ruler"; plural ''{{lang|nci|tlahtohqueh}}'' {{IPA-nah|t͡ɬaʔˈtoʔkeʔ|}}) is the [[Classical Nahuatl]] term for the ruler of an {{lang|nci|[[altepetl|āltepētl]]}}, a [[pre-Hispanic]] state. It is an [[agent noun]] based on the verb ''tlahtoa'', meaning "to speak, command, rule". It has thus been variously translated into English as "king", "ruler", or "[[Speaker (politics)|speaker]]" in the political sense. Above a ''tlahtoāni'' was the ''huēyi tlahtoāni'', sometimes translated as "great speaker", though more usually as "[[emperor]]".<ref>Lockhart (2001, p.238); Schroeder (2007, p.3). See also the entry for [http://sites.estvideo.net/malinal/tl/nahuatlTLAHTLI.html#TLAHTOANI "TLAHTOANI"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070614183207/http://sites.estvideo.net/malinal/tl/nahuatlTLAHTLI.html#TLAHTOANI|date=2007-06-14}}, in Wimmer (2006)</ref> A ''{{Lang|nci|cihuātlahtoāni}}'' ({{IPA-nah|siwaːt͡ɬaʔtoˈaːniˀ|-|Siwatlajtoani.ogg}}) is a female ruler, or [[queen regnant]].<ref>Schroeder (2007, pp.3–4). See also the entry for [http://sites.estvideo.net/malinal/c/nahuatlCIHUAQ.html#CIHUATLAHTOANI "CIHUATLAHTOANI"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070608090444/http://sites.estvideo.net/malinal/c/nahuatlCIHUAQ.html#CIHUATLAHTOANI|date=2007-06-08}} in Wimmer (2006).</ref>
'''''Tlahtoāni''''' or '''''tlatoani''''' ({{Lang-nci|tlahtoāni}} {{IPA-nah|t͡ɬaʔtoˈaːniˀ|pron|Tlajtoani.ogg}}, "one who speaks, ruler"; plural ''{{lang|nci|tlahtohqueh}}'' {{IPA-nah|t͡ɬaʔˈtoʔkeʔ|}}) is the [[Classical Nahuatl]] term for the ruler of an {{lang|nci|[[altepetl|āltepētl]]}}, a [[pre-Hispanic]] state. It is an [[agent noun]] based on the verb ''tlahtoa'', meaning "to speak, command, rule." It has thus been variously translated into English as "king", "ruler", or "[[Speaker (politics)|speaker]]" in the political sense. Above a ''tlahtoāni'' was the ''huēyi tlahtoāni'', sometimes translated as "great speaker", though more usually as "[[emperor]]."<ref>Lockhart (2001, p.238); Schroeder (2007, p.3). See also the entry for [http://sites.estvideo.net/malinal/tl/nahuatlTLAHTLI.html#TLAHTOANI "TLAHTOANI"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070614183207/http://sites.estvideo.net/malinal/tl/nahuatlTLAHTLI.html#TLAHTOANI|date=2007-06-14}}, in Wimmer (2006)</ref> A ''{{Lang|nci|cihuātlahtoāni}}'' ({{IPA-nah|siwaːt͡ɬaʔtoˈaːniˀ|-|Siwatlajtoani.ogg}}) is a female ruler, or [[queen regnant]].<ref>Schroeder (2007, pp.3–4). See also the entry for [http://sites.estvideo.net/malinal/c/nahuatlCIHUAQ.html#CIHUATLAHTOANI "CIHUATLAHTOANI"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070608090444/http://sites.estvideo.net/malinal/c/nahuatlCIHUAQ.html#CIHUATLAHTOANI|date=2007-06-08}} in Wimmer (2006).</ref>


The term {{lang|nci|[[cuāuhtlahtoāni]]}} refers to "vice-leader".<ref>Schroeder (1991, p. 188).</ref> The leaders of the [[Mexica]] prior to their settlement are sometimes referred to as {{Lang|nci|cuāuhtlahtohqueh}}, as well as colonial rulers who were not descended from the ruling dynasty.
The term {{lang|nci|[[cuāuhtlahtoāni]]}} refers to "vice-leader."<ref>Schroeder (1991, p. 188).</ref> The leaders of the [[Mexica]] prior to their settlement are sometimes referred to as {{Lang|nci|cuāuhtlahtohqueh}}, as well as colonial rulers who were not descended from the ruling dynasty.


The ruler's lands were called {{Lang|nci|tlahtohcātlālli}} {{IPA-nah|t͡ɬaʔtoʔkaːˈt͡ɬaːlːiˀ||Tlajtojkātlālli.ogg}}, while his house was called {{Lang|nci|tlahtohcācalli}} {{IPA-nah|t͡ɬaʔtoʔkaːˈkalːiˀ||Tlajtojkākalli.ogg}}<ref name="dic">''Nahuatl dictionary'' (1997). Wired humanities project. Retrieved January 1, 2012, from [http://whp.uoregon.edu/dictionaries/nahuatl/index.lasso link]</ref>.
The ruler's lands were called {{Lang|nci|tlahtohcātlālli}} {{IPA-nah|t͡ɬaʔtoʔkaːˈt͡ɬaːlːiˀ||Tlajtojkātlālli.ogg}}, while his house was called {{Lang|nci|tlahtohcācalli}} {{IPA-nah|t͡ɬaʔtoʔkaːˈkalːiˀ||Tlajtojkākalli.ogg}}<ref name="dic">''Nahuatl dictionary'' (1997). Wired humanities project. Retrieved January 1, 2012, from [http://whp.uoregon.edu/dictionaries/nahuatl/index.lasso link]</ref>.


The city-states of the Aztec Empire each had their own ''tlahtoāni'' who would function as the high priest and military leader of his city-state, as well as its commander-in-chief. The ''tlahtoāni'' was the ultimate owner of all land in his city-state and received tribute, oversaw markets and temples, led the military, and resolved judicial disputes.<ref name="Aztec Political Structure">{{cite web|title=Aztec Political Structure|url=https://tarlton.law.utexas.edu/aztec-and-maya-law/aztec-political-structure|access-date=10 March 2020|website=[[University of Texas School of Law#Tarlton Law Library|Tarlton Law Library]]}}</ref> He would often be a descendant of the royal family, but in some cases, he would be elected.<ref>{{Cite encyclopedia|title=pre-Columbian civilizations|encyclopedia=[[Encyclopædia Britannica]]|url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/pre-Columbian-civilizations#ref583552|access-date=2017-05-22|date=2016-11-22}}</ref> Since the ''tlahtoāni'' was allowed to have several wives, his legacy would be easily maintained. After being established as the ''tlahtoāni'', he would reign for life. The ''tlahtoāni'' was chosen by a council of elders, nobles, and priests, which would select from a pool of four candidates.
The city-states of the Aztec Empire each had their own ''tlahtoāni'' who would function as the high priest and military leader of his city-state, as well as its commander-in-chief. The ''tlahtoāni'' was the ultimate owner of all land in his city-state and received tribute, oversaw markets and temples, led the military, and resolved judicial disputes.<ref name="Aztec Political Structure">{{cite web|title=Aztec Political Structure|url=https://tarlton.law.utexas.edu/aztec-and-maya-law/aztec-political-structure|access-date=10 March 2020|website=[[University of Texas School of Law#Tarlton Law Library|Tarlton Law Library]]}}</ref> He would often be a descendant of the royal family, but in some cases, he would be elected.<ref>{{Cite encyclopedia|title=pre-Columbian civilizations|encyclopedia=[[Encyclopædia Britannica]]|url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/pre-Columbian-civilizations#ref583552|access-date=2017-05-22|date=2016-11-22}}</ref> Since the ''tlahtoāni'' was allowed to have several wives, his legacy would be easily maintained. After being chosen from a pool of four candidates by a council of elders, nobles, and priests, a ''tlahtoāni'' would reign for life.


==Commanding hierarchy==
==Commanding hierarchy==

Revision as of 09:26, 27 December 2023

This article is about tlatoque in general. For the rulers of Tenochtitlan, see List of tlatoque of Tenochtitlan.
Tlahtoāni of Aztec Empire
Sacred war emblem
Details
StyleHuēyi tlahtoāni
First monarchAcamapichtli
Last monarchCuauhtémoc
Formationc. 1376
Abolition1521
ResidenceTenochtitlan
AppointerCouncil of Elders

Tlahtoāni or tlatoani (Classical Nahuatl: tlahtoāni pronounced [t͡ɬaʔtoˈaːniˀ] ⓘ, "one who speaks, ruler"; plural tlahtohqueh [t͡ɬaʔˈtoʔkeʔ]) is the Classical Nahuatl term for the ruler of an āltepētl, a pre-Hispanic state. It is an agent noun based on the verb tlahtoa, meaning "to speak, command, rule." It has thus been variously translated into English as "king", "ruler", or "speaker" in the political sense. Above a tlahtoāni was the huēyi tlahtoāni, sometimes translated as "great speaker", though more usually as "emperor."[1] A cihuātlahtoāni (Nahuatl pronunciation: [siwaːt͡ɬaʔtoˈaːniˀ] ⓘ) is a female ruler, or queen regnant.[2]

The term cuāuhtlahtoāni refers to "vice-leader."[3] The leaders of the Mexica prior to their settlement are sometimes referred to as cuāuhtlahtohqueh, as well as colonial rulers who were not descended from the ruling dynasty.

The ruler's lands were called tlahtohcātlālli [t͡ɬaʔtoʔkaːˈt͡ɬaːlːiˀ] ⓘ, while his house was called tlahtohcācalli [t͡ɬaʔtoʔkaːˈkalːiˀ] ⓘ[4].

The city-states of the Aztec Empire each had their own tlahtoāni who would function as the high priest and military leader of his city-state, as well as its commander-in-chief. The tlahtoāni was the ultimate owner of all land in his city-state and received tribute, oversaw markets and temples, led the military, and resolved judicial disputes.[5] He would often be a descendant of the royal family, but in some cases, he would be elected.[6] Since the tlahtoāni was allowed to have several wives, his legacy would be easily maintained. After being chosen from a pool of four candidates by a council of elders, nobles, and priests, a tlahtoāni would reign for life.

Commanding hierarchy

Tlahtoāni Nezahualpiltzintli of Texcoco.

The cihuācōātl was the second in command after the tlahtoāni, 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 the āltepētl.[5]

Tlahtoāni during times of war

During times of war, the tlahtoāni 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 enemy āltepētl (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. The tlahtoāni would be the most informed about any conflict and would be the primary decision maker during war.[7]

He would also be in charge of gaining support from allied rulers by sending gifts and emissaries from his city-state. During warfare the tlahtoāni 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.

Tlahtohqueh of Tenochtitlan

Moctezuma II, sixth huēyi tlahtoāni of the Aztec Triple Alliance

.

There were eleven tlahtohqueh of Tenochtitlan. Beginning with Itzcoatl, the tlahtoāni of Tenochtitlan was also the huēyi tlahtoāni of the Aztec Empire.

  1. Acamapichtli: 1376–1395
  2. Huitzilihuitl: 1395–1417
  3. Chimalpopoca: 1417–1427
  4. Itzcoatl: 1427–1440
  5. Moctezuma I: 1440–1469
  6. Axayacatl: 1469–1481
  7. Tizoc: 1481–1486
  8. Ahuitzotl: 1486–1502
  9. Moctezuma II: 1502–1520
  10. Cuitláhuac: 1520
  11. Cuauhtémoc: 1520–1521

See also

References

  1. ^ Lockhart (2001, p.238); Schroeder (2007, p.3). See also the entry for "TLAHTOANI" Archived 2007-06-14 at the Wayback Machine, in Wimmer (2006)
  2. ^ Schroeder (2007, pp.3–4). See also the entry for "CIHUATLAHTOANI" Archived 2007-06-08 at the Wayback Machine in Wimmer (2006).
  3. ^ Schroeder (1991, p. 188).
  4. ^ Nahuatl dictionary (1997). Wired humanities project. Retrieved January 1, 2012, from link
  5. ^ a b "Aztec Political Structure". Tarlton Law Library. Retrieved 10 March 2020.
  6. ^ "pre-Columbian civilizations". Encyclopædia Britannica. 2016-11-22. Retrieved 2017-05-22.
  7. ^ "Aztec and Maya Law". Tarlton Law Library. Retrieved 11 March 2020.

Sources

Further reading

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