Nopalxochitl
| Emperor Nopalxochitl | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ||||||||
|
The Emperor Nopalxochitl was born in the New Huexotzingo Palace on April 1st 1709. Nopalxochitl was the son of Prince Tezozomoc and the noblewoman Anacaona. His father Tezozomoc was the youngest son of Emperor Maxemi I and thus considered by many, at his birth at least, not to be a strong contender for the throne. Much like his uncle, Popopoyotl, the young prince was primarily a military man. While not a revolutionary tactician, Nopalxochitl was to be the first Aztec general to recognise the full utility of gunpowder weaponry and was thus able to prosecute war to a more successful degree than his cousin and predecessor, Cocozca II.
Nopalxochitl was educated at the Calmecac of Xipe Totec in New Tlacopan and his education was intended to provide a firm sense of morality and discipline on the young boy. As often happens, though, this backfired and Nopalxochitl was to be well-known for his drinking and womanising. The Emperor was thought to have sired numerous illegitimate children. Though polygamy was the norm for the Aztec imperial family, and thus the Royal Council possessed a wide range of candidates for the throne, even Nopalxochitl's wandering hand was to adopt a seedier element by the end of his reign. The Emperor's last relationship was with Huatl (Lady) Malinche, some 40 years his junior and widely believed to be his illegitimate daughter by Lady Malinal of Quetzalxochitl. Such things may have been ignored in the courts of previous monarchs, but Cocozca II also instigated a new era of religious piety within the Empire. Strange though the previous Emperor was, many courtiers would comment favourably that his palace was a more orderly and civilised place than it was under his cousin.
Nopalxochitl was, regardless of his private life, an able military commander. He first led a squadron of jaguar warriors at the battle of Cuauhpetl in 1750.It was during this time that the future emperor realised that gunpowder could allow for much greater mobilisation while constant drilling would serve to quicken the march of his troops. Nopalxochitl was thus to create his 'Obsidian Corps' (a term coined by later historians) that were used to great effect in the Second War of the Madonna.
Nopalxochitl's military background, while serving his cousin as opposed to the rebels, was to endear him to the soldiers upon the Royal Council. Those who believed that the reforms of Cocozca would be overturned by his more traditional cousin, however, were to be disappointed. Uninterested though he was in learning and the finer points of theology, Nopalxochitl was to prove a staunch defender of the legacy of Cocozca. This, inevitably, resulted in the second civil war in February 1757. The Second War of the Madonna was to be a longer and bloodier conflict that the first and it was during this time that Nopalxochitl was to perfect his new tactics. Victory after victory over more numerous opponents attest to this, as the Emperor would use his 'Obsidian Corps' to rapidly attack the rebel's flank before retreating. The rebellion was to ultimately to simply run out of steam and the disaffected were to isolate themselves in the northern mountains. Nopalxochitl also attempted to use the treasury of the state, newly expanded by his predecessor, to buy-off rebel commanders in order to avoid further war. Such actions were to increase the popularity of the Emperor though also served to create massive debts.
Nopalxochitl was only to rule for a further ten years after the official cessation of the war in September 1567. The Emperor, like Cocozca II before him, was to fall victim to assassination when the religious fanatic Zincicha was to stab him as he was carried about New Tenochtitlan. Despite his private failings, Nopalxochitl was much-loved by his people and the funeral procession was said to have lasted for six hours. He was succeeded by his nine-year old son, Moctezuma IV.
| Preceded by: Cocozca II |
Hueyi Tlatoani of Otiacicoh 1756-1777 |
Succeeded by: Moctezuma IV |
