Tlacochcalcatl facts for kids
The Tlacochcalcatl (say: Tlah-koch-KAL-katl) was a very important military leader in the Aztec army. His name means "The man from the house of darts." Think of him like a modern-day general. He was second in command only to the Aztec ruler, called the tlatoani. When the tlatoani was busy, the tlacochcalcatl would lead the army into battle.
He worked closely with another general, the tlacateccatl. Together, they made all the big military plans. They decided how to fight after the tlatoani chose to start a war.
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What was the Tlacochcalco?
The tlacochcalcatl was also in charge of something called the tlacochcalco. This name means "in the house of darts." These were four large armories or weapon storage buildings. They were located at the four main entrances to the most important part of the Aztec capital city, Tenochtitlan.
How were the armories stocked?
These main armories were filled with new weapons every year. This happened during a festival called Quecholli. One Spanish explorer, Andrés de Tapia, said that each of these four armories held a huge amount of weapons. He estimated it was about "500 cartloads" of weapons!
Who could become a Tlacochcalcatl?
To become a tlacochcalcatl, a person had to be a member of a special military group. This group was called the cuachicqueh, which means "the shorn ones." These were very brave and skilled warriors.
A step to becoming ruler
Being a tlacochcalcatl was a very high honor. It was often the last important job a person had before becoming the next tlatoani, the supreme ruler of the Aztecs.
Famous Tlacochcalcatl leaders
The first tlacochcalcatl was chosen by the ruler Huitzilihuitl. He picked his own brother, Itzcoatl, for the role. Itzcoatl likely served under the next ruler, Chimalpopoca, too.
When Itzcoatl became tlatoani, he appointed Tlacaelel as tlacochcalcatl. He also made Moctezuma Ilhuicamina the tlacateccatl. Later, Tlacaelel got an even higher job, cihuacoatl. So, Moctezuma Ilhuicamina was promoted to tlacochcalcatl.
We don't know for sure who was tlacochcalcatl during the rule of Moctezuma I. Maybe Tlacaelel held both jobs at that time.
Rulers who were Tlacochcalcatl
Several future rulers served as tlacochcalcatl before taking the throne:
- Under Axayacatl, the tlacochcalcatl was Tizoc. Tizoc later became ruler after Axayacatl died.
- Tizoc was seen as a weak ruler and was removed from power. His tlacochcalcatl, Ahuitzotl, then became the ruler.
- Ahuitzotl's tlacochcalcatl was the famous Moctezuma II (also known as Xocoyotzin), who became the next ruler.
- When the Spanish arrived, the tlacochcalcatl for Moctezuma II was a man named Quappiatl.
See also
- Aztec warfare
- Tlatoani
- Tlacateccatl
- In Spanish: Tlacochcalcatl para niños
