List of tlatoque of Tetzcoco


This is a list of Mesoamerican tlatoque of the altepetl of Tetzcoco from the first tlatoani in 1298 to the end of the line of indigenous rulers. From the early 15th century to 1521, Tetzcoco was one of the three leading members of the Triple Alliance, commonly known as the Aztec Empire, but was often subservient to the rulers of Tenochtitlan. The Aztec Empire was conquered by Spain in 1521, but the Spanish colonial authorities continued to appoint tlatoque of Tetzcoco until the office was abolished in 1564.

Pre-colonial rulers (1298–1521)

Early Tetzcoco (1298–1431)

The tlatoque of Tetzcoco were descendants and successors of earlier tlatoque of the Chichimeca, succeeding Xolotl, Nopaltzin and Tlotzin.
PortraitNameReignSuccession and notesLife details
Quinatzin
Quinatzin
1298–1357
First tlatoani of Tetzcoco.? – 1357
Died of natural causes
Techotlalatzin
Techotlala
1357–1409
Son of Quinatzin.? – 1409
Died of natural causes
Ixtlilxochitl I
Ixtlilxochitl
1409–1418
Son of Techotlalatzin.? – 1520
Executed by the Tepanec conqueror Tezozomoc.
Yancuiltzin
Yancuiltzin
1418–1431
Son of Ixtilxochtli I. Appointed by Tezozomoc. Co-ruler with Tochpilli under Tepanec suzerainty.Unknown fate
Tochpilli
Tochpilli
1418–1431
Son of Ixtilxochtli I. Appointed by Tezozomoc. Co-ruler with Yancuiltzin under Tepanec suzerainty.Unknown fate

Colonial period (1521–1564)

The line of tlatoque continued in Tetzococo after the Spanish conquest. Adept at navigating the new Spanish colonial governing system and adapting to changing circumstances, many of the nobles of Tetzcoco, including the tlatoque, came through the cataclysmic downfall of the Aztec Empire in a stronger position than they had been previously. Allowing the nobility of Tetzcoco to continue to appoint local rulers of the same pre-colonial dynasty was also beneficial for the Spaniards, who utilized their legitimacy to ensure the delivery of tribute and political subordination.
PortraitNameReignSuccession and notesLife details
Tecocoltzin
Fernando Tecocoltzin
1521
Son of Nezahualpilli. Appointed by Hernán Cortés after the flight of Coanacoch due to his sympathies for the Spaniards. Tecocoltzin repopulated and strengthened Tetzcoco and also took a leading role in the offensive against Tenochtitlan.? – 1521
Died of natural causes just before the fall of Tenochtitlan
Ixtlilxochitl II
Fernando Cortés Ixtlilxochitl
1521–1531
Son of Nezahualpilli. Previously a rival claimant to the position of tlatoani. Appointed by Hernán Cortés.? – 1531
Died of natural causes
Yoyontzin
Jorge Yoyontzin
1532–1533
Son of Nezahualpilli.? – 1533
Died of natural causes
Tetlahuehuetzquititzin
Pedro Tetlahuehuetzquititzin
1534–1539
Son of Nezahualpilli. Previously passed over in 1515 in favor of Cacamatzin.? – May 1539
Died of natural causes
Tlahuitoltzin
Antonio Pimentel Tlahuitoltzin
1540–1545
Son of Nezahualpilli. Politically skilled, Tiahuitoltzin's rule was a period of relative stability in Tetzcoco despite the upheaval that ravaged Mesoamerica at the time.? – 1545
Died of natural causes
Ihuian
Hernando Pimentel Ihuian
1545–1564
Son of Coanacoch. Politically skilled like his predecessor, also oversaw a peaceful and stable period in Tetzcoco.? – 1564
Died of natural causes

The state of affairs in Tetzcoco after the death of Ihuian in 1564 is unclear given that few surviving sources discuss local politics during this time. It seems that the position of tlatoani was left vacant due to interfamilial conflict in regard to who was to be the next ruler, which in turn led to the office being entirely replaced by the Spanish-appointed governors of the city.