Tozcuecuextli

Tozcuecuextli (c. 1200 – 1272) was a political figure in the Aztec Empire.

Tozcuecuextli
Cuauhtlahto of the Mexitli
From Codex Boturini (also known as Tira de la peregrinación), folio 15
Reign	1239–1278
Predecessor	Iztacmixcoatl / Tlazotzin
Successor	Huehue Huitzilihuitl
Born	c. 1200
Died	1278 Tenochtitlan
Spouse	Tlaquilxochitzin

Life

Tozcuecuextli was born in the surroundings of Xaltocan. His father, Iztacmixcoatzin, is considered the origin of the Nahuatlacas and the Mexica. He was educated within a calpulli (neighborhood) of builders.

In 1226, he married Tlaquilxochitzin, princess of Tzompanco, with whom he fathered Huitzilihuitl I, his successor, the following year.

Upon the death of Iztacmixcoatzin in 1233 or 1239, Tozcuecuextli took command and shortly after, at the suggestion of Huitziltzin, he emigrated to the Sierra de Guadalupe to exploit the forest and the andesite deposits, near the shore of Lake Texcoco, south of Ecatepec. , across the lagoon in canoes they transport material more efficiently and continually do work for Azcapotzalco and its dependent towns, without forgetting to do the same with the lordship of Tenayocan. They asked for permission to found their first capital in 1240, Huixachtitlan.

In 1245, Tlotzin launched himself against Colhuacan and defeated them with the help of Tozcuecuextli. Marital alliances were also established, which in the long run would give rise to the last Colhua lineage and the second Mexica (the first ws Xaltocamecatl).

Boturini Codex, in the upper left corner you can see the three relevant characters who participated in the Tecpayocan war: Tetepantzin, Huitziltzin and Tecpatzin. Below them you can see the place name of Pantitlán.

Pantitlán also exploits the Sierra de Guadalupe, so at a certain point their interests lead them to war against Huixachtitlan, the final battle taking place near Tecpayocan, the Mexitin win but Tecpatzin dies. Also shortly after Huitziltzin died, Tozcuecuextli ordered that his remains be transformed into tlaquimilolli (sacred wrapping) and they gave him the name Huitzilopochtli.

Tozcuecuextli continued to rule, and his new right arm Huehue Cuauhtlequetzqui (father of Cuauhtlequetzqui of 1281) supported him until his death in 1272. He died in Tlachco.

References

Bibliography

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• de Alvarado Tezozómoc, Hernando (2002). Diaz Migoyo, Gonzalo; Vazquez Chamorro, German (eds.). Crónica mexicana [Mexican Chronicle]. Crónicas de América. Vol. 76 (1st ed.). Madrid, Spain: Dastin. ISBN 84-7679-371-5.
• Tena Martinez, Rafael, ed. (2004). Annals of Tlatelolco. Cien de Mexico. Translated by Tena Martinez, Rafael. Mexico, Mexico: National Council for Culture and the Arts. ISBN 978-970-350-507-4.
• Chimalpahin Cuauhtlehuanitzin, Domingo Francisco (1998). Tena Martinez, Rafael (ed.). Las ocho relaciones y el memorial de Colhuacán [The Eight Relationships and the Colhuacan Memorial]. Cien de Mexico. Translated by Tena Martinez, Rafael. Mexico, Mexico: National Council for Culture and the Arts. ISBN 970-350-385-3.
• Garibay Kintana, Angel María (1965). Theogony and history of the Mexicans: three twilights of the 16th century. Sepan Quantos... Vol. 37. Mexico, Mexico: Porrúa. ISBN 9789700756189. OCLC 592540153.
• Gillespie, Susan D. (1994). Martínez Passarge, Luisa María (ed.). The Aztec Kings: Government Building in Mexican History. Translated by Mastrangelo, Stella (1st ed.). Mexico, Mexico: 21st Century publishers. ISBN 968-23-1874-2.
• de Mendieta, Fray Geronimo (1997). Indian Ecclesiastical History. Cien de Mexico. Mexico, Mexico: National Council for Culture and the Arts.
• de Torquemada, Juan (1995). Indian Monarchy. University Student Library 84/Coordination of Humanities (1st ed.). Mexico, Mexico: Miguel Leon Portilla.
• de Tovar, Juan (1975). Ramirez Codex. Mexico City: SEP.