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Chapter 11
Moteuczomah Ilhuicamina ''He-frowned-like-a-lord He-pierces-the-sky-with-an-arrow'' (Ruled 14401468) |
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When Itzcoatl died, his successor was again selected from among a group of high nobles. In addition to membership in the upper nobility, the primary characteristic required for royal succession was military prowess, because the tlahtoani's increasing power depended on continued Aztec success in war and the accumulation of booty, tribute goods, and distributable lands. Thus, Moteuczomah Ilhuicamina, the tlacochcalcatl during the Tepanec war, was elected the next king in 1440 (see fig. 23).
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The Aztecs had relatively limited concerns vis-à-vis conquered areas, demanding that they remain loyal, permit Aztec economic penetration in the form of merchants, pay their tribute, and aid the Aztecs as needed. Beyond these requirements, each conquered area was free to operate largely as it wished. The Aztecs were basically content to tap into the local tribute system at the highest level.2 This strategy was partially effective while the empire was small, since an army could be dispatched on an ad hoc basis whenever problems arose and direct control was unnecessary. But because conquered areas retained their own political structures, officials, and interests, control became more problematic as the empire expanded, particularly during periods of succession when past military accomplishments were not always enough to guarantee the security and continuation of the Aztec Empire. |
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When the king died, the Aztecs' willingness and ability to use force was thrown into doubt, because power was bound up with the personality of the ruler. It was at these times that tributaries contemplating an attempt to break away would act. Thus, avoiding fragmentation of the empire was a key concern in selecting a successor, |
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