Acolhua facts for kids
The Acolhua were an important group of people in ancient Mesoamerica. They arrived in the Valley of Mexico around the year 1200 CE. The Acolhua were like close relatives to the Aztecs (also known as the Mexica). They were also related to other groups such as the Tepanec, Chalca, and Xochimilca.
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Who Were the Acolhua People?
The Acolhua were a group of people who lived in the eastern part of the Basin of Mexico. This area was called Acolhuacan. Their main city and capital was Texcoco. They were known for their culture and their role in the region's history.
The Powerful Triple Alliance
The most important political group in ancient Mesoamerica was the Triple Alliance. It was formed in 1428. Three powerful cities joined together: Tenochtitlan, Tetzcoco, and Tlacopan. This alliance replaced the Tepanec Empire of Azcapotzalco.
The Triple Alliance brought together many developed regions of western Mesoamerica. Because Tenochtitlan was the strongest city, the alliance is sometimes called the Aztec Empire. This empire ended in 1521 when the Spanish arrived.
How the Alliance Worked
Each of the three kings in the alliance led a group of smaller kingdoms. These groups matched the main ethnic groups of the time. These were the Colhuas, the Acolhua-Chichimecs, and the Tepanecs.
- The kingdom of Tenochtitlan controlled the southern part of the Basin. This included towns like Xochimilco and Cuitlahuac.
- Tetzcoco's kingdom included the Acolhua lands in the eastern Basin. It also reached areas like Tollantzinco and Cuauhchinanco.
- Tlacopan ruled the Tepanec towns in the western Basin. This included Azcapotzalco and Coyoacán. It also stretched north to Xilotepec.
These three main groups of kingdoms formed the heart of the empire. From this core area, the empire grew and expanded its power.
Acolhua's Role in the Alliance
The Acolhua became important allies of the Aztecs. They worked together against the Tepanec people. This alliance helped shape the power balance in the Valley of Mexico.
Acolhua Language
It is believed that the ruling family of the Acolhua originally spoke the Otomi language. They did not speak Nahuatl at first. Their ruler, called a tlatoani, named Techotlalatzin, later made Nahuatl the official language.
See also
In Spanish: Acolhuas para niños
