Ocotelolco

Glyph for Ocotelolco

Ocotelolco (sometimes spelled Ocotelulco), in pre-Columbian Mexico, was one of the four independent altepetl (polities) that constituted the confederation of Tlaxcallan. The site is in the present day state of Tlaxcala in central Mexico.

History

Ocotelolco was the second of the four altepetl to be founded. At the time of the Spanish conquest of Mexico it was, along with Tizatlan, the most powerful of the four allied communities. Where Ocotelolco held the economical power, having the main market in the region, Tizatlan had the military power and commanded the Tlaxcallan armies.

When the Spanish arrived in Mexico Ocotelolco was ruled by Maxixcatzin. Through a series of political events Ocotelolco finally achieved dominance over Tizatlan at the end of the conquest.

References

• Hassig, Ross (2001) "Xicotencatl: rethinking an indigenous Mexican hero", Estudios de Cultura Nahuatl, UNAM (Estudios de Cultura Nahuatl).
• Muñoz Camargo, Diego (1892 (1585)) Historia de Tlaxcala, published and annotated by Alfredo Chavero, Mexico.
• Fargher, Lane F. (2007) In the Shadow of Popocatepetl: Archaeological Survey and Mapping at Tlaxcala, México. FAMSI.