|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chapter 13
Tizoc "He-has-bled-people"
1 (Ruled 1481 to 1486) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
When Axayacatl died in 1481, the news was sent immediately throughout the land. Emissaries traveled to Tenochtitlan from tributary cities, as did enemy rulers from Tlaxcallan, Huexotzinco, and Cholollan, secretly and at night.2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
There are many possible reasons for attending an enemy ceremony: goods were distributed, prestige might be achieved, relations might be renewed, and enmities and alliances might be discussed. But an even more pressing reason was to avoid unnecessarily incurring the wrath of a powerful state. An Aztec invitation contained a considerable element of the mailed fist, and even enemies maintained some levels of intercourse that might be jeopardized. Though the enemy rulers might attend, however, they could not be seen to do so, as that would reflect poorly on their own perceived power. It was enough that the rulers were aware of these arrangements. Thus, attendance by enemy rulers was a barometer of the state's power. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tlacaelel was allegedly offered the kingship and declined;3 but this is unlikely, for at least two reasons. First, he had not been a major military leader of the Aztec army under Axayacatl and thus was not ideally positioned to be elevated to the throne.4 Second, and probably more important, Tlacaelel was old by this time. Even during the reign of King Moteuczomah Ilhuicamina he had been too old to accompany the army on the Coaixtlahuacan campaign,5 and as the empire expanded, maintaining the network of tributaries increasingly rested on the martial and political attributes of the king. Every time a king died, the empire underwent a period of uncertainty and potential fragmentation, so selecting an older king would ensure more frequent turnovers in rulesomething to be avoided if at all possible. |
|
|
|
|
|