Nezahualpilli (1465–1515)

Nezahualpilli (b. 1465; d. 1515), ruler of Texcoco, Mexico (1472–1515). Nezahualpilli ("Fasting Child" or "Fasting Noble") succeeded Nezahualcoyotl as ruler of Texcoco, one of three polities heading the Aztec Empire, which was dominated by the Mexica of Tenochtitlán. Son of a Mexica noblewoman, Nezahualpilli was seven years old when his father died, having designated him as heir. His right to the office protected by his Mexica relatives from jealous older brothers, Nezahualpilli matured into a capable statesman and lawmaker, master builder, and renowned diviner. In a famous (though likely legendary) episode, Nezahualpilli predicted to Motecuhzoma II that Mexico would soon be ruled by foreigners. Motecuhzoma's own diviners claimed otherwise. Nezahualpilli challenged Motecuhzoma to a series of ball games in order to settle the argument; Nezahualpilli won the match. He died without naming an heir. The ensuing dispute between his sons Cacama and Ixtlilxochitl left the polity divided. Motecuhzoma installed Cacama; a few years later Ixtlilxochitl became one of Cortés's principal allies.

See alsoMesoamerica .

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Fernando De Alva Ixtlilxochitl, Obras históricas, 3d ed. (1975).

Jerome A. Offner, Law and Politics in Aztec Texcoco (1983).

Additional Bibliography

Coe, Michael D., and Rex Koontz. Mexico: From the Olmecs to the Aztecs. New York: Thames & Hudson, 2005.

                                  Louise M. Burkhart