| Ahuizotl | |
|---|---|
 Ahuitzotl depicted in the Codex Mendoza | |
| Huey Tlatoani of the Aztec Empire Tlatoani of Tenochtitlan | |
| Reign | 7 Rabbit (1486) – 10 Rabbit (1502) |
| Predecessor | Tizoc |
| Successor | Moctezuma II |
| Born | 15th century Tenochtitlan, Aztec Triple Alliance |
| Died | 10 Rabbit (1502) Tenochtitlan, Aztec Triple Alliance |
| Issue | Chimalpilli II Cuauhtémoc Unidentified daughter |
| Father | Tezozomoc |
| Mother | Atotoztli II |
| Religion | Aztec polytheism |
Ahuitzotl (Nahuatl languages: āhuitzotl, Nahuatl pronunciation: [aːˈwit͡sot͡ɬ] ) was the eighth Aztec ruler, the Huey Tlatoani of the city of Tenochtitlan, son of princess Atotoztli II. His name literally means "Water Thorny" and was also applied to the otter.[2] It is also theorized that more likely, the animal called ahuitzotl is actually the water opossum, the hand symbolizing its prehensile tail, which otters notably lack.
Either Ahuitzotl or his predecessor Tizoc was the first tlatoani of Tenochtitlan to assume the title Huey Tlatoani ("supreme tlatoani") to make their superiority over the other cities in the Triple Alliance (Aztec Empire) clear.[3][4] Ahuitzotl was responsible for much of the expansion of the Mexica domain, and consolidated the empire's power after emulating his predecessor. He took power as Emperor in the year 7 Rabbit (1486), after the death of his predecessor and brother, Tizoc.
He had two sons, the kings Chimalpilli II and Cuauhtémoc, and one daughter.[citation needed]
- ^ Based on the maps by Ross Hassig in "Aztec Warfare".
- ^ "Ahuítzotl, "El espinoso del agua" (1486-1502)" [Ahuítzotl, "Thorny Water" (1486-1502)]. Archeologia Mexicana (in Spanish). 14 July 2016. Retrieved June 4, 2019.
- ^ Tuerenhout, Dirk R. Van (2005). The Aztecs: New Perspectives. ABC-CLIO. p. 43. ISBN 978-1-57607-921-8.
- ^ Aguilar-Moreno, Manuel (2007). Handbook to Life in the Aztec World. Oxford University Press. p. 82. ISBN 978-0-19-533083-0.