Tlatoani

Etymology

The term tlahtoāni () is an agent noun derived from the verb tlahtoa, meaning "to speak", thereby carrying the literal meaning of "one who speaks". In English, it has been translated variously as "king", "sovereign", "ruler" or, based on its etymology, "speaker". It takes the plural form tlahtohqueh (), and the construct form **tlahtohcā-*, as in tlahtohcāyōtl ("rulership, realm"), tlahtohcātlālli ("royal lands"), and tlahtohcācalli ("royal palace").

Related titles include tlahtohcāpilli (), given to princes and other prominent noblemen, and cihuātlahtoāni (), used to designate noblewomen including consorts or princesses. The title of cuāuhtlahtoāni refers to "vice-leader." The leaders of the Mexica prior to their settlement are sometimes referred to as cuāuhtlahtohqueh, as well as colonial rulers who were not descended from the ruling dynasty.--

Commanding hierarchy

The cihuācōātl was the second in command after the tlahtoāni, was a member of the nobility, served as the supreme judge for the court system, appointed all lower court judges, and handled the financial affairs of the āltepētl.

''Tlahtoāni'' during times of war

During times of war, the tlahtoāni would be in charge of creating battle plans, and making strategies for his army. He would draft these plans after receiving information from various scouts, messengers, and spies who were sent out to an enemy āltepētl (city-state). Detailed information was presented to him from those reports to be able to construct a layout of the enemy. This was essential because this ensured the safety and success of each battle.

These layouts would be heavily detailed from city structures to surrounding area. The tlahtoāni would be the most informed about any conflict and would be the primary decision maker during war.

He would also be in charge of gaining support from allied rulers by sending gifts and emissaries from his city-state. During warfare the tlahtoāni would be informed immediately of deaths and captures of his warriors. He would also be in charge of informing his citizens about fallen or captive warriors, and would present gifts to the successful ones.

''Tlahtohqueh'' of Tenochtitlan

There were eleven tlahtohqueh of Tenochtitlan. Beginning with Itzcoatl, the tlahtoāni of Tenochtitlan was also the huēyi tlahtoāni of the Aztec Empire.

1. Acamapichtli: 1376–1395
2. Huitzilihuitl: 1395–1417
3. Chimalpopoca: 1417–1427
4. Itzcoatl: 1427–1440
5. Moctezuma I: 1440–1469
6. Axayacatl: 1469–1481
7. Tizoc: 1481–1486
8. Ahuitzotl: 1486–1502
9. Moctezuma II: 1502–1520
10. Cuitláhuac: 1520
11. Cuauhtémoc: 1520–1521

References

Sources

References

1. The term is commonly spelled ''tlatoani'', as frequently utilized in historical Spanish and Nahuatl documents from the [[Spanish colonization of the Americas. colonial period]], as well as in contemporary Spanish usage, whence the term came into English.
2. Frequently spelled ''tlatoque'', omitting the indication of the [[Saltillo (linguistics). saltillo]] (glottal stop), represented by the letter ⟨h⟩ in certain contemporary sources and modern academic references.
3. Lockhart (2001, p.238); Schroeder (2007, p.3), who pre. See also the entry for [http://sites.estvideo.net/malinal/tl/nahuatlTLAHTLI.html#TLAHTOANI "TLAHTOANI"] {{Webarchive. link. (2007-06-14, in Wimmer (2006))
4. "Aztec Political Structure".
5. (2016-11-22). "pre-Columbian civilizations".
6. ''Nahuatl dictionary'' (1997). Wired humanities project. Retrieved January 1, 2012, from [http://whp.uoregon.edu/dictionaries/nahuatl/index.lasso link]
7. Schroeder (2007, pp.3–4). See also the entry for [http://sites.estvideo.net/malinal/c/nahuatlCIHUAQ.html#CIHUATLAHTOANI "CIHUATLAHTOANI"] {{Webarchive. link. (2007-06-08 in Wimmer (2006))
8. Schroeder (1991, p. 188).
9. "Aztec and Maya Law".