Tlacaelel facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Tlacaelel |
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| Tlacochcalcatl of Tenochtitlan | |
Tlacaelel was a tlacochcalcatl. Picture from Codex Mendoza.
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| Born | 1397 Tenochtitlan |
| Died | 1487 (aged 89-90) Aztec Empire |
| Spouse | Maquiztzin |
| Issue | Cacamatzin Tlilpotoncatzin Xiuhpopocatzin |
| Father | Emperor Huitzilihuitl |
| Mother | Queen Cacamacihuatl |
Tlacaelel I (born 1397, died 1487) was a very important leader in the Aztec Empire. His name, Tlacaelel, means "Man of Strong Emotions." He was the main person who helped create the powerful Aztec Triple Alliance. This alliance was a partnership between three major Aztec cities: Tenochtitlan, Texcoco, and Tlacopan.
Tlacaelel was the son of Emperor Huitzilihuitl and Queen Cacamacihuatl. He was also the nephew of Emperor Itzcoatl and the brother of Emperors Chimalpopoca and Moctezuma I.
Tlacaelel's Important Role
During the rule of his uncle Itzcoatl, Tlacaelel was given the job of Tlacochcalcatl. This was a high military title. Later, during a war against the Tepanec people in the late 1420s, he got an even more important job. He became the first adviser to the ruler. This position was called Cihuacoatl in the Nahuatl language.
Tlacaelel held the Cihuacoatl position for a very long time. He served four different Aztec rulers, called Tlatoque, until he died in 1487.
Shaping the Aztec Empire
Tlacaelel helped make the Aztecs believe they were a special, chosen people. He also made their main god, Huitzilopochtli, the most important god among all the Aztec gods. He also encouraged the Aztec people to be very strong in war.
To make the Aztec noble families even stronger, Tlacaelel helped create special laws. These were called sumptuary laws. They stopped common people from wearing certain fancy items, like gold bracelets or cotton cloaks. Only nobles were allowed to wear these things.
Tlacaelel also started a policy of burning books from the people the Aztecs conquered. This was done to erase the history and memories of these groups before the Aztecs took over.
Grand Achievements
In 1484, Tlacaelel led the dedication of the seventh rebuilding of the Templo Mayor in Tenochtitlan. This was a huge and important temple. At this time, the Aztec nation was at its strongest point. The dedication was celebrated with many war captives being sacrificed.
After Tlacaelel passed away in 1487, the Aztec Empire kept growing. It expanded north into the Gran Chichimeca area and south towards the lands of the Maya.
See also
In Spanish: Tlacaélel para niños
