Tayatzin Explained

Tayatzin
Mother:Chalchiuhcozcatzin
Predecessor:Tezozomoc
Successor:Maxtla
Father:Tezozomoc

Tayatzin was a king of Tepanec city of Azcapotzalco in Mexico. He is also called Quetzalayatzin.

Biography

He was born as a prince, the son of king Tezozomoc and queen Chalchiuhcozcatzin, who was Tezozomoc's main wife.

His half-siblings were kings Quaquapitzahuac and Maxtla and queen Xiuhcanahualtzin. He was an uncle of Tlacateotl and Emperor Chimalpopoca of Tenochtitlan.[1]

After his father's death, Tayatzin became a king of his city. Maxtla was a king of Coyoacán, but he seized power at Azcapotzalco, leaving the rulership of Coyoacán to his son Tecollotzin.[2]

Chimalpopoca allied with Tayatzin, and the two conspired to retake the throne. Friendly relations between Tenochtitlan and Azcapotzalco were thus replaced by insults and violent intrigue.

Tayatzin was killed, and Chimalpopoca decided to offer himself as a sacrifice at the altar of his father Huitzilíhuitl.

Notes and References

  1. Book: Chimalpahin Quauhtlehuanitzin, Domingo de San Antón Muñón . 1997a . c.1621 . Codex Chimalpahin, vol. 1: society and politics in Mexico Tenochtitlan, Tlatelolco, Texcoco, Culhuacan, and other Nahua altepetl in central Mexico; the Nahuatl and Spanish annals and accounts collected and recorded by don Domingo de San Antón Muñón Chimalpahin Quauhtlehuanitzin . Arthur J.O. Anderson and Susan Schroeder (eds. and trans.), Susan Schroeder (general ed.), Wayne Ruwet (manuscript ed.) . Civilization of the American Indian series, no. 225 . Norman . . 978-0-8061-2921-1 . 36017075.
  2. Chimalpahin (1997): pp. 128–129, 230–231.