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Axayacatl's Conquest of Tlatelolco

Type Event Region Americas Time 1473

In 1473, Tenochtitlan's ruler Axayacatl conquered the twin lake city of Tlatelolco, whose ruler Moquihuix was defeated and killed.

Timeline

  1. 1469–1473Valley of Mexico · Valley of MexicoAfter Axayacatl took the throne, Moquihuix of Tlatelolco sought greater autonomy and clashed with Tenochtitlan over tribute, markets, and marriage alliances. The chronicle tradition claims he abused his wife Chalchiuhnenetzin (Axayacatl's sister), which became the pretext for war.
  2. 1473Tlatelolco · TlatelolcoTenochtitlan's forces stormed the urban district and main temple precinct of Tlatelolco. Moquihuix held out atop a temple platform and fell to his death or was killed after defeat, collapsing armed resistance. Details of the battle depend on later chronicles, but the forcible annexation of the city is a consensus across traditions.
  3. 1473Tenochtitlan–Tlatelolco · TenochtitlanTlatelolco no longer retained an independent tlatoani and was instead governed by officials sent from Tenochtitlan, with tribute and labor service merged into the capital's system. The famous Tlatelolco great market continued to operate, but politically it became a subordinate district of Tenochtitlan, completing the Mexica capital's internal unification.

Sources