18 Facts About Moctezuma I

Moctezuma I was the son of emperor Huitzilihuitl and queen Miahuaxihuitl.

Moctezuma I was a brother of Chimalpopoca, Tlacaelel I, and Huehue Zaca.

Moctezuma I was the grandson of the first ruler of Tenochtitlan.

Moctezuma I's name meant 'he is angry like a lord'.

Moctezuma I then was elected to power in 1440 by this group of nobles at the age of 42, after the death of Itzcoatl.

Moctezuma I's coronation was a large ceremony, involving many human sacrifices of prisoners.

Moctezuma I was seated on a basketwork throne and was crowned by the ruler of Texoco.

Moctezuma I's crown was a turquoise diadem known as the fire crown.

Moctezuma I then went on to extend the boundaries of the Aztec empire beyond the Valley of Mexico to the Gulf Coast, known as the "Sea of the Sky", for the first time, subjugating the Huastec people and Totonac peoples and thereby gaining access to exotic goods such as cocoa, rubber, cotton, fruits, feathers, and seashells.

Moctezuma I took many girls from Coixtlahuaca and had ten harems all to himself.

Moctezuma I stole three of them from his dead brother Huehue Zaca.

Moctezuma I took over the empire in 1469 after the death of Moctezuma.

Moctezuma I enacted codes which determined what people of certain classes could wear and what their houses could look like.

Moctezuma I created legal and education policies that were determined by class.

Only Moctezuma I was allowed to give a death sentence, and all judges had to notify him of any death penalty rulings.

Moctezuma I was succeeded by his daughter Atotoztli, who was either Tlatoani or regent for her son Axayacatl.

Moctezuma I's legend is somewhat distinct from the actual historical figure, but shares elements of him and likely originated with tales of the real one.

Moctezuma I is a somewhat ambiguous Noah figure, who is subservient to the Great Spirit.