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Chapter 14
Ahuitzotl ''Otter''
1 (Ruled 1486 to 1502) |
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When Tizoc died in 1486, he was succeeded by Ahuitzotl (see fig. 27). Whether or not he was responsible for his predecessor's demise, there was tremendous pressure on Ahuitzotl to perform well, to reassert Aztec dominance, and to recement the ties between Tenochtitlan and its tributaries. He proved to be one of the most energetic and successful Aztec kings. |
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As was customary, news of Tizoc's death was immediately sent throughout the land, but in this case it doubtless took on added significance. Subject towns were to come to Tenochtitlan and by so doing declare their loyalty,2 thus automatically providing an assessment of the state of the empire. At the outset of Ahuitzotl's reign the Aztecs were experiencing problems with their allies as a result of Tizoc's weak leadership. But this difficulty was transitory, and it could be remedied by the reassertion of strong leadership. A more significant problem arose from the lack of cohesiveness in the imperial army. |
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The ideological underpinnings of the Aztec Empire were the upper classes, abetted by the priesthood, and both groups benefited disproportionately as the empire expanded. Whatever the individual Aztec commoner's inclinations, the calpolli system operated to ensure his obedience. The calpolli leadership called up troops, distributed rewards, and recorded the soldiers' deaths. But even more significant, the calpolli leadership controlled all access to lands for commoners. So in addition to positive incentives the Aztec state possessed considerable coercive power to ensure the compliance of the common soldiers. Moreover, the lower classes benefited indirectly from the influx of tribute goods, the greater flow of trade, the acquisition of new calpolli lands, and the opportunities that wars |
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