Huitzilihuitl facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Huitzilihuitl |
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| Tlatoani of Tenochtitlan | |
| Reign | 1390-1415, 1396-1417 or 1403-1417 |
| Coronation | Five Snake / 22 January |
| Predecessor | Acamapichtli |
| Successor | Chimalpopoca |
| Born | c.1379 Mexico Tenochtitlan |
| Died | 1415 or 1417 |
| Wives |
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| Issue | Chimalpopoca Tlacaelel I Moctezuma I Huehue Zaca Citlalcoatl Aztacoatl Axicyotzin Quauhtzitzimitzin Xiconoc Teotlatlauhqui Cuitlahuatzin Miccayaocihuatl Matlalchihuatzin |
| Father | Emperor Acamapichtli |
| Mother | Empress Tezcatlan Miyahuatzin |
Huitzilihuitl (pronounced wit-see-LEE-wit-l) was the second Tlatoani, or king, of the powerful Aztec city of Tenochtitlan. His name means "Hummingbird Feather" in the Nahuatl language. He ruled for many years, though historians have slightly different dates for his reign, usually between the late 1300s and early 1400s. He was a very important leader who helped Tenochtitlan grow stronger.
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Huitzilihuitl's Early Life and Family
Huitzilihuitl was born in Tenochtitlan around 1379. His father was Acamapichtli, who was the first Tlatoani of the Mexica people. His mother was Queen Tezcatlan Miyahuatzin. He also had a half-brother named Itzcoatl, who would later become a great Aztec ruler himself.
When Huitzilihuitl was only about 16 years old, his father passed away. The main leaders, brave warriors, and wise priests of Tenochtitlan chose him to be the next king. At this time, the Mexica people had to pay tribute (like taxes) to the powerful Tepanec city-state of Azcapotzalco.
Huitzilihuitl's Reign as King
Huitzilihuitl was a smart leader and good at politics. He continued his father's plan of making friends and alliances with nearby cities. He created a special group called the Royal Council, or Tlatocan. This council had four permanent members who would advise new kings, especially when they were young and less experienced.
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One of Huitzilihuitl's most important moves was marrying Ayauhcihuatl. She was the daughter of Tezozómoc, the very powerful Tlatoani of Azcapotzalco. This marriage helped Tenochtitlan a lot! Because of this alliance, the Mexica people had to pay much less tribute to Azcapotzalco. It became a symbolic payment, meaning it was more about showing respect than paying a lot of goods.
Huitzilihuitl and Ayauhcihuatl had a son named Chimalpopoca. He would later become the next Tlatoani after his father. After Ayauhcihuatl passed away, Huitzilihuitl married again, to Miahuaxihuitl. They also had a son, Moctezuma I, who would later become the fifth great Aztec emperor.
Growing the Weaving Industry
During Huitzilihuitl's rule, the weaving industry in Tenochtitlan grew a lot. People started making cotton cloth not just for their own city, but also for Azcapotzalco and Cuauhnāhuac. Before this, the Mexica people often wore rough clothes made from maguey plant fibers. Thanks to Huitzilihuitl, they could now wear soft, colorful cotton clothes.
Improving the City
Huitzilihuitl also had a big plan to bring fresh drinking water to Tenochtitlan. The city was on an island in a salty lake, so getting fresh water was a challenge. He wanted to build a way to bring water from the mainland. However, the nobles (important people) thought it would cost too much money, so his plan was not carried out. He did manage to build a fort on a rock within the island to help protect the city.
Wars and Alliances
Around 1409, the ruler of Texcoco, Techotlala, died. His son, Ixtlilxóchitl I, became the new ruler. In the years that followed, relations between Ixtlilxóchitl and Tezozómoc of Azcapotzalco became very bad. They eventually started fighting a war around 1416.
Even though Huitzilihuitl had given his daughter, Matlalchihuatzin, in marriage to Ixtlilxóchitl, he decided to join his father-in-law, Tezozómoc, in the war against Texcoco. He helped conquer and take goods from several cities, including Tultitlan, Cuauhtitlan, Chalco, Tollantzingo, Xaltocan, Otompa, and Acolman. Huitzilihuitl and Tenochtitlan gained a lot of wealth from these conquests. They also profited from the trade of canoes on the lakes around Tenochtitlan.
Huitzilihuitl's Death
Huitzilihuitl likely died in 1417, before the war between Azcapotzalco and Texcoco ended. His son, Chimalpopoca, became the next Tlatoani and continued to support Tezozómoc and Azcapotzalco in the ongoing conflict.
See also
In Spanish: Huitzilíhuitl para niños
- List of Tenochtitlan rulers
