Accession of Moctezuma II (1502)

Timeline

1. 1502Flood-control dike on Lake Texcoco · Valley of MexicoAhuitzotl slipped and fell while inspecting storm-barrier works on Lake Texcoco, striking his head on rocks, and died three days later. His death left the empire in a brief power vacuum, with the succession question becoming the focus of attention among the allied cities.
2. 1502Tenochtitlan · Valley of MexicoMoctezuma II (Moctezuma Xocoyotzin, nephew of Ahuitzotl), who was away commanding military operations at the time, was recalled and selected by the allied leaders as the new huey tlatoani. He was a central figure in the Mexica noble marriage system, with both military and priestly backgrounds.
3. 1502Great Pyramid of Tenochtitlan (Templo Mayor) · Valley of MexicoGuided by the leaders of Texcoco and Tlacopan, Moctezuma removed his fine garments, fasted and bloodletted, ascended the great pyramid to make offerings to the war god Huitzilopochtli, then withdrew for four days in Tlacochcalco, completing his transformation from military commander to sacred monarch and being formally crowned as the empire's ninth huey tlatoani.