Tepanec

The Tepanecs ( Tepaneca ) were a people of the Nahua in the Valley of Mexico, which held political dominance in the region at the beginning of the 15th century. Political center of the Tepanecs was initially Azcapotzalcos that this role but after the formation of the Aztec Triple Alliance to Tlacopan (now Tacuba district of Mexico City) gave. Another important city of Tepanecs was Coyoacán.

The Tepanecs wandered about in the late 12th or early 13th century, the valley of Mexico and settled on the western shore of Lake Texcoco. Under their ruler ( tlatoani ) Acolnahuacatl conquered the Tepanecs Azcapotzalcos and made ​​it their center.

Beginning of the 15th century came under the Tepanecs Tezozomoc, said to have lived 100 years at the height of their power. In addition to nearly all of the Valley of Mexico, they also dominated parts of the valleys of Toluca and Morelos.

After the death of his son in 1426 Tezozomoc Maxtla ascended the throne in Azcapotzalcos after he probably had poisoned his brother and rival Tayauh. Under his reign, defeated the friendly relations with the Mexica ( Aztecs ) in Tenochtitlan, which were characterized by a predominance of Tepanecs to in enmity. 1426 was the grandson of Maxtla Tezozomoc and ruler of the Mexica Chimalpopoca to jail, whereupon he died.

Maxtla Tenochtitlán tried to storm, but the new ruler of the Mexica, Itzcoatl, suggested the force of Azcapotzalcos back with the support of Texcoco and the Tepanec city Tlacopan. Azcapotzalcos was sacked and Maxtla hand of Nezahualcoyotl, ruler of Texcoco, was killed during a sacrificial ceremony.

After this victory the 1428 Tepanecs of Tlacopan formed with the Mexica of Tenochtitlan and Texcoco Acolhua of the Aztec Triple Alliance, which eventually for Aztec Empire, rise the most powerful state in Mesoamerica. Tlacopan now grew in place of Azcapotzalcos approach the most important city of Tepanecs, but never reached the size and importance of Tenochtitlan and Texcoco.