Ixtlilxochitl II.

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Ixtlilxochitl II. , (* 1500 ; † 1550 ) was a ruler ( Tlatoani ) of the Mesoamerican city ​​of Texcoco .

He was one of the sons of Nezahualpilli , who died in 1515, four years before the start of the Spanish conquest. Moctezuma , the ruler of Tenochtitlán , intervened in the line of succession out of political calculation and helped the other son, Cacamatzin, to the throne of Texcoco, thus triggering a fratricidal war, because Ixtlilxochitl did not recognize his brother as ruler. He went to the mountains with his followers and rebelled against Cacamatzin and thus also against Moctezuma.

When the Spanish conquistadors under Hernán Cortés entered the Aztec realm in 1519 , the realm of Texcoco had been divided between the two brothers. Cacamatzin remained ruler of the city and part of the country. Ixtlilxochitl controlled the smaller part of the country. This compromise did not completely end the Ixtlilxochitl's rebellion against his brother. He continued to work in secret to overthrow his brother. When Moctezuma had Cacamatzin arrested for preparing his fall, Ixtlilxochitl finally wanted to take power in Texcoco. But Moctezuma put Cuicuitzcatl, another son of Nezahualpilli, on the throne of Texcoco. With that he finally drove Ixtlilxochitl into the arms of Hernán Cortés.

Cortés fled Tenochtitlán in the Noche Triste and gathered his strength in Tlaxcala . From there he decided the final destruction of Tenochtitlán. He wanted to enclose the capital of the Aztecs and needed Texcoco as a safe haven.

When the Spanish troops advanced on the city, Cuicuitzcatl proved to be a weak ruler and fled in a boat across the lake to Tenochtitlán. With that, the throne of Texcoco was finally free for Ixtlilxochitl. He had already made contact with the Spaniards and was baptized . His godfather was Hernán Cortés. During the siege and subsequent battle of Tenochtitlán in 1521, Ixtlilxochitl actively supported the Spaniards and proved to be a loyal friend of Hernán Cortés.

Individual evidence

  1. ^ Bernal Díaz del Castillo: History of the Conquest of Mexico, 1988, p. 407
  2. ^ Bernal Díaz del Castillo: History of the Conquest of Mexico, 1988, p. 500

Web links

personal data
SURNAME Ixtlilxochitl II.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION Ruler of the Mesoamerican city of Texcoco
DATE OF BIRTH 1500
DATE OF DEATH 1550