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Siege Of Tenochtitlan
The fall of Tenochtitlan, the capital of the Aztec Empire, was an important event in the Spanish conquest of the empire. It occurred in 1521 following extensive negotiations between local factions and Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés. He was aided by La Malinche, his interpreter and companion, and by thousands of indigenous allies, especially Tlaxcaltec warriors. Although numerous battles were fought between the Aztec Empire and the Spanish-led coalition, which was composed mainly of Tlaxcaltec men, it was the siege of Tenochtitlan that directly led to the fall of the Aztec civilization and the ensuing sacking and violence against the survivors. The indigenous population at the time was devastated due to a smallpox epidemic, which killed much of its leadership. Because smallpox had been endemic in Spain for centuries, the Spanish had developed an acquired immunity and were affected relatively little in the epidemic. The conquest of the Aztec Empire was a critical s ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Spanish Conquest Of The Aztec Empire
The Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire was a pivotal event in the history of the Americas, marked by the collision of the Aztec Triple Alliance and the Spanish Empire. Taking place between 1519 and 1521, this event saw the Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés, and his small army of European soldiers and numerous indigenous allies, overthrowing one of the most powerful empires in Mesoamerica. Led by the Aztec ruler Moctezuma II, the Aztec Empire had established dominance over central Mexico through military conquest and intricate alliances. Because the Aztec Empire ruled via hegemonic control by maintaining local leadership and relying on the psychological perception of Aztec power — backed by military force — the Aztecs normally kept subordinate rulers compliant. This was an inherently unstable system of governance, as this situation could change with any alteration in the status quo. A combination of factors including superior weaponry, strategic alliances with oppresse ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Tlatelolco (altepetl)
Tlatelolco ( , ) (also called Mexico Tlatelolco) was a pre-Columbian altepetl, or city-state, in the Valley of Mexico. Its inhabitants, known as the ''Tlatelolca'', were part of the Mexica, a Nahuatl-speaking people who arrived in what is now central Mexico in the 13th century. The Mexica settled on an island in Lake Texcoco and founded the ''altepetl'' of Tenochtitlan, Mexico-Tenochtitlan on the southern portion of the island. In 1337, a group of dissident Mexica broke away from the Tenochca leadership in Tenochtitlan and founded Mexico-Tlatelolco on the northern portion of the island. Tenochtitlan was closely tied with its sister city, which was largely dependent on the market of Tlatelolco, the most important site of commerce in the area. History In 1337, thirteen years after the foundation of Tenochtitlan, the Tlatelolca declared themselves independent from the Tenochca and inaugurated their first independent ''tlatoani'' (dynastic ruler). Under the king Quaquapitzahuac (1 ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
War Canoe
A war canoe is a watercraft of the canoe type designed and outfitted for warfare, and which is found in various forms in many world cultures. In modern times, such designs have become adapted as a sport, and "war canoe" can mean a type of flatwater racing canoe. History War canoes were used in Africa, Austronesia, Americas and Europe to transport troops and supplies, and engage targets onshore. While documentation of canoe versus canoe battles on the open ocean is rare, records from the 14th century mention various peoples of West Africa using huge fighting canoes in inland waters, some up to and carrying over 100 men.Robert Smith, The Canoe in West African History, The Journal of African History, Vol. 11, No. 4 (1970), pp. 515–533 Construction of the war canoe was typically from one massive tree trunk, with the silk cotton tree being particularly useful. The inside was dug out and carved using fire and hand tools. Braces and stays were used to prevent excessive expansion w ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Brigantine
A brigantine is a two-masted sailing vessel with a fully square-rigged foremast and at least two sails on the main mast: a square topsail and a gaff sail mainsail (behind the mast). The main mast is the second and taller of the two masts. Older usages are looser; in addition to the rigorous definition above (attested from 1695), the ''Oxford English Dictionary'' includes two definitions: "a small vessel equipped both for sailing and rowing, swifter and more easily manœuvred than larger ships" and "(loosely) various kinds of foreign sailing and rowing vessels, as the galleon, galliot, etc." Modern American definitions include vessels without any square sail(s) on the main mast. Mediterranean brigantines In the Mediterranean Basin during the 13th century, a brigantine referred to a sail- and oar-driven war vessel. It was lateen rigged on two masts and had between eight and twelve oars on each side. Its speed, maneuverability, and ease of handling made it a favourite of Med ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Indian Auxiliaries
Indian auxiliaries, also known in the sources as ''Indios amigos'' (), were those indigenous peoples of the Americas who allied with Spain and fought alongside the conquistadors during the Spanish colonization of the Americas. These auxiliaries acted as guides, translators, soldiers, explorers and porters, often outnumbering peninsular Spaniards by enormous degrees in their military formations. During the Spanish conquest of the Inca Empire, indigenous assistants were referred to by the indigenous word of '' yanakuna''. Indian auxiliaries continued to be used by the Spanish to maintain control over their colonies in the Americas; frequently stationed on the frontier, they were often used to suppress anti-colonial revolts such as Arauco War. Their important role in achieving the conquests of Spain gave birth to a modern Spanish-speaking idiom, '' la conquista la hicieron los indios'' ("the Indians did the conquest"). History The formations of auxiliary Indians arose common ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Coanacoch
Coanacochtzin (died 1525) was the last tlatoani (ruler) of Texcoco before the city came under Spanish control. One of Nezahualpilli's sons, he succeeded to throne after the death of his half-brother Cacama in 1520.Diaz, B., 1963, The Conquest of New Spain, London: Penguin Books, When the forces under Hernán Cortés approached Texcoco during their conquest of the Aztec Empire, Coanacoch fled to Tenochtitlan , also known as Mexico-Tenochtitlan, was a large Mexican in what is now the historic center of Mexico City. The exact date of the founding of the city is unclear, but the date 13 March 1325 was chosen in 1925 to celebrate the 600th annivers .... In his place, Cortés appointed his Spain-aligned brother Tecocoltzin as ''tlatoani'' of Texcoco. Coanacoch assisted Cuauhtémoc at the Fall of Tenochtitlan in defending the city and was captured after its fall. He was executed by Cortés in 1524. References Year of birth missing 1525 deaths Tlatoque Texcoco ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Cuauhtémoc
Cuauhtémoc (, ), also known as Cuauhtemotzín, Guatimozín, or Guatémoc, was the Aztec ruler ('' tlatoani'') of Tenochtitlan from 1520 to 1521, and the last Aztec Emperor. The name Cuauhtemōc means "one who has descended like an eagle", and is commonly rendered in English as "Descending Eagle", as in the moment when an eagle folds its wings and plummets down to strike its prey; the name thus implies aggressiveness and determination. Cuauhtémoc took power in 1520 as successor of Cuitláhuac and was a cousin of the late emperor Moctezuma II. His young wife, who was later known as Isabel Moctezuma, was one of Moctezuma's daughters. He ascended to the throne when he was around 25 years old, while Tenochtitlan was being besieged by the Spanish and devastated by an epidemic of smallpox brought to the Americas by Spanish conquerors. After the killings in the Great Temple, there were probably few Aztec captains available to take the position. Early life Cuauhtemoc's date of ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Ixtlilxochitl II
Ixtlilxochitl II (c. 1500–c. 1550) was a Nahua nobleman, tlatoani of Texcoco. He allied with Spain during the Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire and assisted Hernán Cortés during the Siege of Tenochtitlan. He converted to Christianity under the name of Fernando Cortés Ixtlilxóchitl and ruled Texcoco in Spain's name until his death. Biography According to his descendant Fernando de Alva Cortés Ixtlilxóchitl, Ixtlilxochitl was a child prodigy, who being only three years old killed a female servant caught in an infidelity and then justified his act according to Texcocan law. At twelve he led a violent purge of courtiers who had advised his father to execute him for the danger he posed, and by fourteen he was already a renowned captain in the wars against Tlaxcala and Atlixco. In 1516 Nezahualpilli died, and the succession was contested by several of his sons, including Cacamatzin and Ixtlilxochitl. The former gained the support of Moctezuma II, Tlatoani of the Aztec Empi ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Chichimecatecuhtli
Chichimecatecuthli (fl. 1520) was a Tlaxcaltec nobleman and military man. He was a general of the armies of Tlaxcala during the Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire, in which he first warred against Hernán Cortés before allying with him along with his people. He belonged possibly to the faction of Ocotelolco. Biography According to Bernal Díaz del Castillo, Chichimecatecuhtli and Xicotencatl the Younger commanded the 50,000 Tlaxcaltec warriors who stopped the Spaniards and their Totonac allies before arriving to Tlaxcala in September 1519, believing them to be vassals to the Aztec Empire. He was in charge of a fifth of the contingent, which hailed from Huejotzingo,Bernal Díaz del Castillo, ''Historia verdadera de la conquista de la Nueva España'', chapter LXV while the rest belonged to Xicohtencatl the Elder from Tizatlan, Maxixcatzin from Ocotelolco, Tlahuexolotzin from Tepeticpac and Tecapacaneca de Tepeyanco. The second day of the battle, due to their little success ag ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Xicotencatl II
Xicotencatl II Axayacatl, also known as Xicotencatl the Younger (died 1521), was a prince and warleader, probably with the title of '' Tlacochcalcatl'', of the pre-Columbian state of Tlaxcala at the time of the Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire. Biography An ethnic Tlaxcaltec, Xicotencatl the Younger was the son of the ruler of Tizatlan, one of the four confederate altepemeh of the Tlaxcallan state, of which he was considered to be the ''de facto'' ruler because of his father's weakened health. His Nahuatl name, pronounced , is sometimes also spelled Xīcohtēncatl and means "person from Xīcotēnco," a place name that can be translated "at the edge of the bumblebees." He is known primarily as the leader of the force that was dispatched from Tlaxcallan to intercept the forces of Hernán Cortés and his Totonac allies as they entered Tlaxcallan territory when going inland from the Veracruz coast. His actions are described in the letters of Cortés, Bernal Díaz del Castillo ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Xicotencatl I
Xicotencatl I or Xicotencatl the Elder (c. Aztec calendar, 11 House (1425) – c. Aztec calendar, 4 Rabbit (1522)) was a long-lived ''teuctli'' (elected official) of Tizatlan, a Nahua peoples, Nahua ''altepetl'' (city-state) within the Tlaxcala (Nahua state), Confederacy of Tlaxcala, in what is now Mexico. He was instrumental in allying the Tlaxcaltec, Tlaxcaltecs with the Spain, Spanish to overthrow the Aztec Empire, after which he converted to Christianity under the name of Lorenzo Xicotencatl or Don Lorenzo de Vargas. Etymology His Nahuatl name, pronounced , is sometimes spelled Xicohtencatl. Early life At the time of the Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire he was very old and of poor health. He was instrumental in aligning the Tlaxcala with Hernán Cortés' Spaniards.Diaz, B., 1963, The Conquest of New Spain, London: Penguin Books, Tlaxcalan historian Diego Muñoz Camargo wrote of him that he was more than 120 years old and that he could only see Cortés if he had some ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Cristóbal De Olid
Cristóbal de Olid (; 1487–1524) was a Spanish adventurer, conquistador and rebel who played a part in the conquest of the Aztec Empire and present-day Honduras. Born in Baeza, Olid grew up in the household of the governor of Cuba, Diego Velázquez de Cuéllar. In 1518 Velázquez sent Olid to relieve Juan de Grijalva, but en route, a hurricane caused the loss of Olid's anchors, and he returned to Cuba. On January 10, 1519, Olid sailed with Hernán Cortés's fleet, as his quartermaster, and took an active part in the conquest of the Aztec Empire.Diaz, B., 1963, ''The Conquest of New Spain'', London: Penguin Books, He fought at the Battle of Otumba on 14 July 1520, and also took part in the campaign against the Purépechas. During the Siege of Tenochtitlan, Cristóbal was one of Cortés' key captains, playing a critical role in the capture of Xochimilco. Cristobal was the Texcoco camp commander during the trial of Antonio de Villafana, for his plot to assassinate C ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
