A Rain of Darts by Burr Cartwright Brundage

Author:Burr Cartwright Brundage [Brundage, Burr Cartwright]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: University of Texas Press
Published: 1972-08-14T16:00:00+00:00

10. Two Kings of the Middle Period

The Reign of Tizoc1

The death of Axayacatl in 1481 precipitated an electoral storm in Mexico. Tizoc, his older brother, had been passed over by the magnates when, some thirteen years before, they had selected Axayacatl. At that time, in order to prevent a war between brothers, Tlacaelel had guaranteed the succeeding reign to Tizoc. Accordingly, Tizoc had been raised to the rank of tlacateccatl and installed as one of the four princes, but unfortunately the passage of the years had witnessed no growth in the popularity of Tizoc, who continued to remain unacceptable to the nobility at large.

What alone prevented a dangerous rift in the state was the veneration the Mexicans of all factions accorded to Tlacaelel, now well into his seventies. Tlacaelel, who wore the copilli as his right and could thus address the Mexica as an acknowledged ruler, insisted that Tizoc be elected to the office of tlatoani. When the electors demurred, pointing out Tizoc’s weaknesses, Tlacaelel brought them around by pointing out that he himself would be the adviser and guardian of the next ruler, whoever he might be. None could gainsay this greatest of all Mexican princes, and he had his way. Tizoc was elected.2

Following the practice of the past, the new ruler selected a city to go against in the initiatory war that was to test his leadership and gain victims for his coronation ceremonies. With the concurrence of Tlacaelel, the city of Metztitlan was chosen as a battleground. This formidable Huaxtec city, as yet unconquered, lay to the north in a deep valley in the fall of the Escarpment.

The result was something of a disaster for the Mexica tlatoani just beginning his reign.3 Far from being intimidated by the approaching allied army, Metztitlan met it with great spirit and, in company with other Huaxtec allies from the lowlands, hurled it back. So severe was the blow that Mexico was forced finally to throw in her regiment of neophytes. While these raw young warriors gave a good account of themselves, as was to be expected, they served merely to gain precious time while a more orderly retreat was being organized. Most of these young heroes who survived the rearguard action were knighted on the road back—not only in recognition of their valor but as a practical matter to fill the gaps in the Mexican contingent caused by the heavy casualties. It appears that the Mexica came away from the affair bringing only some dozen captives—a paltry amount and one not likely to placate the grim god of battles.

It was an inauspicious beginning for an Aztec reign and faced Tlacaelel with a serious problem. As the senior partner in the rule he had to move with vigor to shore up what was left of Tizoc’s prestige. His own prestige was of course indestructable. Ahuitzotl, the third brother, was impatiently standing in the wings, ready at any favorable moment to seize Tizoc’s power. Tlacaelel managed to hold him off; the strategem he used is interesting.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.