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Tlatoani

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This article is about tlahtohqueh in general. For the rulers of Tenochtitlan, see List of tlatoque of Tenochtitlan.
17th-century depiction of tlahtoāni Nezahualpiltzintli of Texcoco from the Codex Ixtlilxochitl.
Tlahtoāni of Aztec Empire
Sacred war emblem
Details
StyleHuēyi tlahtoāni
First monarchAcamapichtli
Last monarchCuauhtémoc
Formationc. 1376
Abolition1521
ResidenceTenochtitlan
AppointerCouncil of Elders

Tlahtoāni[1] (Classical Nahuatl: tlahtoāni pronounced [t͡ɬaʔtoˈaːniˀ] ⓘ, "ruler, sovereign"; plural tlahtohqueh[2] [t͡ɬaʔˈtoʔkeʔ]) is a historical title used by the dynastic rulers of āltepēmeh (singular āltepētl, often translated into English as "city-state"), autonomous political entities formed by many pre-Colombian Nahuatl-speaking societies in the Valley of Mexico. The title of huēyi tlahtoāni, commonly translated as "emperor," was used by the rulers of the Aztec Empire.[3]

Each āltepētl had its own tlahtoāni who would concurrently function as its ruler, high priest and commander-in-chief. The tlahtoāni wielded ultimate authority over all land within the āltepētl, overseeing tribute collection, market activities, temple affairs, and the resolution of judicial disputes.[4] Typically a dynastic ruler from the royal lineage, the tlahtoāni served for life. However, in certain instances, a council comprised of nobles, elders, and priests could elect a tlahtoāni from a pool of four candidates.[5]

Etymology

The term tlahtoāni ([t͡ɬaʔtoˈaːniˀ]) is an agent noun derived from the verb tlahtoa, meaning "to speak, command, rule," 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 form tlahtohqueh ([t͡ɬaʔˈtoʔkeʔ]) in the plural, and the construct form *tlahtohcā-, as in tlahtohcāyōtl ("rulership, realm"), tlahtohcātlālli ("royal lands"), and tlahtohcācalli ("royal palace").[6].

A cihuātlahtoāni (Nahuatl pronunciation: [siwaːt͡ɬaʔtoˈaːniˀ] ⓘ) was the titled used by a female ruler, or queen regnant.[7]

The term cuāuhtlahtoāni refers to "vice-leader."[8] 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.

Commanding hierarchy

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.[4]

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.[9]

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. ^ The term is commonly spelled tlatoani, as frequently utilized in historical Spanish and Nahuatl documents from the colonial period, as well as in contemporary Spanish usage, whence the term came into English.
  2. ^ Frequently spelled tlatoque, omitting the indication of the saltillo (glottal stop), represented by the letter ⟨h⟩ in certain contemporary sources and according to modern standardized spelling conventions.
  3. ^ Lockhart (2001, p.238); Schroeder (2007, p.3), who pre. See also the entry for "TLAHTOANI" Archived 2007-06-14 at the Wayback Machine, in Wimmer (2006)
  4. ^ a b "Aztec Political Structure". Tarlton Law Library. Retrieved 10 March 2020.
  5. ^ "pre-Columbian civilizations". Encyclopædia Britannica. 2016-11-22. Retrieved 2017-05-22.
  6. ^ Nahuatl dictionary (1997). Wired humanities project. Retrieved January 1, 2012, from link
  7. ^ Schroeder (2007, pp.3–4). See also the entry for "CIHUATLAHTOANI" Archived 2007-06-08 at the Wayback Machine in Wimmer (2006).
  8. ^ Schroeder (1991, p. 188).
  9. ^ "Aztec and Maya Law". Tarlton Law Library. Retrieved 11 March 2020.

Sources

Further reading

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