Huey Tlatoani Axayacatl and Lord Tlacaelel

Huey Tlahtoani Axayacatl and Lord Tlacaelel

This is an illustration of the Huey Tlatoani Axayacatl, as well as his councilor and second in command, the Cihualcoatl Tlacaelel, recognized today as one of the premier architects of the Aztec empire. Chosen over his older brothers Tizoc and Ahuizotl, Axayacatl was militarily doted and a competent fighter, yet a brash and arrogant youth. His imperial tenure was one of the most bellicose periods of the Excan Tlatolloyan (Triple Alliance), being in a constant state of warfare and expansion towards Oaxaca and the central basin. He would consolidate Tenochtitlans supremacy over its allies Tacuba and Texcoco, as well as annex its sister city Tlatelolco, killing its Tlahtoani, Moquíhuix, in single combat.
His constant stream of success would eventually spur him westwards, towards the Irechequa Tzintzuntzani (Tarascan empire). Facing early gains in Toluca, his arrogance would get the better of him, leading his army towards the heart of the rival empire. Well beyond the reach of his supply line, and faced with an army that outnumbered his expeditionary force, he was soundly and decisively defeated at the battle of Tlaximaloyan. While not insurmountable for the empire, Axayacatl managing to successfully campaigning in the Gulf coast after the fact, his defeat and the wounds sustained during the western campaign would haunt him to his early death in the year 1481, at the age of 32.

Axayacatls Xipe Totec garb is based on his representation in the codex Cozcatzin while his staff is extracted from the codex Azcatitlan. Supplementary data from the “Memoriales de Motolinia” suggest the outfit was constructed off the flayed skin of a rulers first captive as king, while the codex Vaticanus A suggest it was customary for a Tlahtoani to dress as Xipe Totec while on campaign. It would be worn over an Ichcahuipilli.
Tlacaelel’s golden suit of armor is based on extrapolated information from the “Conquistador Anonimo”, Cortés residency trial, and a “Cronica Mexicayotl” description of Tlacaelel’s suit of armour as given to him by Tezozomoc Yacateltetl, before the rebellion against the tepanec Kingdom.
However, while the suit is accurate, Tlacaelel’s presence is not, as the Cihualcoatl would be nearing his 60’s at the time of Axayacatls coronation. Imagine then, that he is only escorting Axayacatl to the frontier of Tenochtitlan, as he embarks towards Toluca, and his fateful defeat.