The Life and Times of Motecuhzuma Xocoyotzin

When Hernán Cortés and his men first explored the Aztec lake capitals of Tenochtitlan and Tlatelolco, they were not prepared to meet such astounding architectural beauty, teeming streets and grand marketplace. However, the royal Aztec entourage that met them on the outskirts of the city must have taken away their breath. (Written/compiled by Julia Flood/Mexicolore)

Moctezuma Xocoyotzin in the Codex Mendoza. (Click on image to enlarge)

Dozens of richly dressed nobles and high officials surrounded the Aztec emperor, Moctezuma Xocoyotzin, whose name (Moctezuma) means “Angry like a Lord”. He wore ornaments of gold, precious stone and fine feathers, and a crown of turquoise gleamed upon his head. As he was considered to be both man and god none of those who accompanied him dared look into his eyes, preferring to shield their own and divert their gaze.

Model of Moctezuma II by George Stuart - photo by Mary Harrsch (Click on image to enlarge)

Moctezuma Xocoyotzin reigned from 1502 to 1520 and was one of eleven Tlatoque or “Great Speakers” to rule the Aztec empire.
The product of generations of aristocratic marriage alliances with nobles of old Toltec origin, Moctezuma represented the civilised traits of this people and the glory of Topiltzin Quetzalcoatl, the priest-god and Toltec patron.
The emperor also acted on behalf of Huitzilopochtli, the rougher, less refined and more warlike Aztec patron god.
Having risen to power in his forties, this Aztec leader was complex, pious and intelligent. Read on to find out more about his life, from his training as a young boy to his coronation and unwilling hand in the Aztec empire’s fall.

A noble youth entering religious school in the Codex Mendoza (Click on image to enlarge)

MOCTEZUMA’S EDUCATION
Moctezuma’s training as a member of the high nobility was strict from the start. He attended a Calmecac, a religious school for those of noble descent or high achieving common children. There, he learnt to steel himself against cold, pain and self-sacrifice. His routine at the Calmecac involved waking up before dawn and performing rituals for the gods such as sweeping, bathing in cold water, letting blood from his ears and legs and tending to gods’ shrines.

Illustration by Miguel Covarrubias of the Xócotl Uetzi pole-climbing competition (Click on image to enlarge)

Moctezuma’s intellect and hard work were instrumental in his development as a priest and later on in life he would gain the privilege of performing sacrificial rites. A youth, he would train alongside commoners and learn to become a warrior. As a young noble, he was unaccustomed to receiving special attention.

Model of Moctezuma II on display (L), and replica headdress originally believed to have belonged to Moctezuma II (R), National Museum of Anthropology, Mexico City

As a young man, Moctezuma won a competition by being the first to climb up a tall pole and grab the effigy of the fire deity, Xiuhtecuhtli, during the harvest festivity of Xócotl Uetzi,”Great Fall of the Xócotl Fruit”. This earned him the honour of becoming one of the four priests that held down a sacrificial victim, live image of Xiuhtecuhtli, whose heart was extracted. The venture up the pole was not only a development for his religious career; Moctezuma showed his skill as an athlete, by reaching the top before any of his competitors, noble or common. Learn more of the Xócotl Uetzi festival by following the link below.

Motecuhzoma Ilhuicamina (Moctezuma I), Tovar Manuscript, plate XII (Click on image to enlarge)

AHUITZOTL AND THE STORM BARRIER
As a gifted man born into a very exclusive lineage, it was natural for Moctezuma to be destined for great things. After all, although Huey Tlatoque were essentially elected into power, they must have either a brother, father or grandfather who had held this role in the past. Moctezuma Xocoyotzin was the grandson of the old (Huehue) Moctezuma Ilhuicamina, who ruled the Aztec lands from 1440-1469.

We know that Moctezuma Xocoyotzin performed well at war and was also an accomplished priest. During his thirties, he became commander-in-chief of the Aztec legions. He was often absent from Tenochtitlan, expanding the empire on campaigns abroad, but his elevated rank meant that he could keep a palace outside of the city grounds, near Tollan (Tula) and Cholollan (Cholula). By then, he had married his first wife, Tezalco, who had given birth to a daughter, Tecuichpo.

Ahuítzotl dies in the year 10-Rabbit (1502), Codex Telleriano-Remensis, facsimile edition by Eloise Quiñones Keber, 1995, folio 41r  (Click on image to enlarge)

Nahua texts tell us that in 1502 the Huey Tlatoani* of Tenochtitlan, Ahuítzotl, took a trip out to see the construction of a storm barrier that was to protect the city from tempests that periodically rushed across Lake Tetzcoco. As he walked along the top of the barrier, Ahuítzotl’s delicately clad foot slipped on some stones and he fell over the edge. Although he did not plummet far, his head struck the rocks below him and he never recovered. Three days later he was dead.

Moctezuma, now in his early forties had since been allowed to take a second wife, Acatlán, and was elected Huey Tlatoani that same year by a council of elders. This was a first step along the path to becoming emperor...

*Tlatoani is singular. Tlatoque is plural.

HOW TO BECOME AN AZTEC KING: THE FOUR CEREMONIES
1. SEPARATION AND RETREAT

The death of Ahuítzotl caused a state of suspension within the Aztec empire. Investigators tell us that during the 16th century the power of the Huey Tlatoani became increasingly sacred and absolute. Therefore, all of the ceremonies surrounding Moctezuma’s accession to the throne were taken with the utmost seriousness. Once he was chosen, Moctezuma must make a symbolic withdrawal from society. This served to detach himself from his previous identity as army commander.

Stone standard-bearers at the base of the Templo Mayor walls, Mexico City (Click on image to enlarge)

He was stripped of all finery and emblems of rank. In a simple loincloth he was taken by the leaders of Tetzcoco and Tlacopan, two allied states, to the base of Tenochtitlan’s great pyramid. Feigning weakness as a sign of humility, he climbed the steps and at the top donned a dark green cape of skulls and crossbones that signified his withdrawal to a primordial state, a ritual time of beginning. After burning incense at Huitzilopochtli’s shrine he descended the temple steps in front of a silent crowd. From there, Moctezuma entered a military house, Tlacochcalco, where he disappeared from the world for four days and nights. In Tlacochcalco he fasted and ritually let blood from his legs, earlobes and arms, and only left to return to Huitzilopochtli’s shrine in the great pyramid to burn incense.
At the end of this four day period he bathed himself in a ritual act of purification.

Top of the Templo Mayor (Huitzilopochtli’s mini-temple to the right), Codex Ixtlilxochitl, folio 112v (Click on image to enlarge)

2. INVESTITURE AND CORONATION
In contrast to his sombre and humble retreat, Moctezuma’s coronation was a magnificent event. It signified his birth into society as a leader. Dressed in royal regalia he was led to the jaguar-and-eagle throne (”Oceloicpalli, Cuauhicpalli”) where he listened to speeches from elders and other kings. Their dialogues were meant to help guide Moctezuma in his new role.

Huitzilopochtli, Tovar Manuscript, plate XIX (Click on image to enlarge)

At the top of the great pyramid, Moctezuma let blood from his ears and legs with a sacred jaguar claw. Before Huitzilopochtli’s shrine, he sacrificed quail. Then, he walked to a Quauhxicalli (stone sacrificial basin) and a Sun Stone, representative of the sacred solar calendar. Here, he was presented by his peers as the centre of the world. More blood letting followed.

A visit to the Coateocalli, the house of foreign gods worshipped in all of the Aztecs’ captured lands were kept, followed and Moctezuma’s bloodletting here bound him to participate in the calendar of religious festivals. From there, his task was to enter Yopico, the cave-like temple of Xipe Totec, Flayed Lord of the Spring. The Tlatoani gave his blood as an offering to the earth.

Tenochtitlan’s sacred precinct. From Michael Coe’s “Mexico: from the Olmecs to the Aztecs”. (Click on image to enlarge)

3. THE CORONATION WAR
This was a very important stage as it was vital for both the production of sacrificial victims and the finance of the coronation ceremony to come. It also helped to prove the new Huey Tlatoani’s authority over his empire.
For his coronation war, Moctezuma travelled north to the regions of Nopalla and Icpactepec and returned victorious to a clamour of applause.

The emperor Tizoc in the Codex Mendoza

Not all Huey Tlatoque experienced success during their coronation war. The emperor Tizoc (1481-86) brought home few captives after his battle, the Aztec army suffering great blows. This failure set him up for a weak reign and he experienced many uprisings within the Aztec territories. He died in 1486 and is thought to have been poisoned.

4. CONFIRMATION
Having travelled back to his seat of power, Moctezuma prepared himself for his confirmation ceremony. This involved him presenting new clothes to those he invited.
Invitations were sent to all rulers and people of standing - even enemies were asked to come! Of course, presents were expected to be offered and those that did not give proper gifts might be demoted or even exiled.

Aztec élite dancing at a festival, Tovar Manuscript, plate XVIII (Click on image to enlarge)

With the confirmation of the Huey Tlatoani, the administrative order that had been left by the previous leader was now thought to be re-established. Moctezuma awarded high ranking subjects with emblems of authority.
The feasts that took place on this day were funded by the royal household in a gesture of generosity and great wealth. In the palace patio, the Tlatoques of Tetzcoco and Tlacopan led some 2000 nobles and high ranking warriors in a great dance accompanied by the large huehuetl drum. Moctezuma made a grand entrance, standing amidst the thick smoke of incense. He was Huitzilopochtli’s living image, the warlike centre of the Aztec world. He was now both man and god. The confirmation ceremonies, took place near or around the palace and great temple.

This article was uploaded to the Mexicolore website on Dec 11th 2007

Learn more about the pole-climbing festival

See Part 2 for conclusion and picture notes

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