History of The Aztecs - Notable Rulers

Notable Rulers

• Acamapichtli – 'Handful of Reeds', First Aztec ruler (tlatoani), began the construction of the Templo Mayor and succeeded in early local conquests.

• Itzcoatl – 'Obsidian Serpent', fourth ruler. Formed a coalition with other lakeside people against the Tepanecs, brought an end to the Tepanec domination of the basin of Mexico by sacking the city of Azcapotzalco, and founded the empire of the Triple Alliance.

• Ahuitzotl – 'Water Beast', eighth ruler. Was a fierce conqueror, renovated the Great Temple, sacrificed 2,000 victims at temple's opening ceremony, and extended the empire from the Pacific to Atlantic coast.

• Moctezuma II – 'Angry Lord, The Younger', 9th Ruler. Was the emperor of the Aztecs during the time of the three Spanish expeditions, the third of which was led by Hernán Cortés. He was captured by Cortés when the Spaniards, after being welcomed into the city, took him hostage because of the fear of an uprising. Accounts of his death vary: according to some he was killed by his own people later (stoned to death) when Cortés used him to try to quell the uprising, according to others the Spaniards killed him when he had proved to be unable to control the uprising.