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tions, the southern portion of the basin was economically important as an area of exceptional agricultural productivity, and through it ran the two passes south out of the basin. Conquering this area would reduce the subsistence vulnerability of Tenochtitlan and permit unhindered movement into or through the region of present-day Morelos. |
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In the first attack the Aztecs were thrown back by a strong Xochimilca army. But Itzcoatl returned with reinforcements from Tetzcoco, Azcapotzalco, and Coyohuacan and the fighting resumed at the border of the Xochimilca territory. The Xochimilcas fell back to a defensive wall, from which they wounded many of the attackers, but the Aztecs tore it down. The Xochimilcas withdrew into their city, where they were pursued and defeated. The entire war lasted eleven days;
36 the Aztecs conquered Xochimilco, and its people fled into the mountains. By most reports the city was sacked, the temple was burned, and the land was divided,37 although one account states that Tlacaelel ordered the soldiers not to loot the city and promised to recompense the soldiers for what they had lost.38 |
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As the Aztecs continued their southern expansion, Mizquic fell next.39 A small city adjacent to the newly conquered Xochimilca territory, Mizquic offered little difficulty and may have submitted without a battle at all. Then the Aztecs turned to Cuitlahuac, on the dual pretexts that it was impeding trade40 and that the Cuitlahuacas had refused to attend a festival in Tenochtitlan.41 |
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Cuitlahuac was relatively small, but it was located on an island between Lakes Xochimilco and Chalco and must have felt secure enough to refuse the Aztecs' blandishments. The Aztecs then sent envoys to the lords of nearby Chalco and Tlalmanalco to ensure that they would not aid Cuitlahuac.42 Having thus eliminated outside assistance, the Aztecs determined to dominate and humiliate the city-state. The Aztecs sent youths (ages sixteen to eighteen) who were below warrior age to fight Cuitlahuac. But so that they would not be defeated, the youths were outfitted in quilted armor and trained by captains, and veteran warriors were sent with them to defend the archers by deflecting arrows with their shields. This force marched from Tenochtitlan to Tecuitlatenco, where it embarked in one thousand canoes and, reaching the island, met and defeated the Cuitlahuacas.43 |
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Nezahualcoyotl must have watched with some trepidation as Tenochtitlan conquered towns throughout the western and southern |
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