[Cuitláhuac

Cuitláhuac

Aztec ruler

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WHo was he?

Cuitláhuac or Cuauhtláhuac was a fierce Mexica warrior and one of the most admired, feared and respected military leaders of the pre-Hispanic world.

Cuitláhuac, also called Quetlavaca, (died October 1520, Tenochtitlán, near modern Mexico City), 10th Aztec ruler, who succeeded his brother Montezuma II in June 1520.He was leader for 80 days.

Cuitlahuac, Aztec Ruler

(Britannica,2020)

HIS PERIOD

Indeed, once released, Cuitlahuac wasted no time in organizing the Aztec resistance. On the of June 30, 1520, Cuitlahuac and the Aztecs succeeded in expelling the Spanish from Tenochtitlan, and many of Cortes’ men lost their lives in what is remembered today as La Noche Triste (meaning ‘The Sad Night’).

(Arqueologiamexicana,2022)

Family tree

Cuitláhuac was the eleventh son of the ruler Axayacatl and a younger brother of Moctezuma II, the previous ruler of Tenochtitlan. His mother's father, also called Cuitlahuac, had been ruler of Itztapalapan, and the younger Cuitláhuac also ruled there initially.

Upon the death of his brother in June 1520, Cuitláhuac succeeded him on the Mexica throne and took the lead in the resistance against the European invaders, whom he defeated in the so-called Noche Triste, causing numerous casualties and expelling them from Tenochtitlán, present-day Mexico City.

(Encyclopedia,2019)

Main events

When the Spaniards arrived in Tenochtitlan, Cuitláhuac, brother of Moctezuma, "Huey Tlatoani" of the Aztecs, was taken prisoner with other nobles by the invaders. After the massacre of the Great Temple, ordered by Pedro de Alvarado, he was granted freedom to work as a mediator between the conquistadores and the Aztecs. But, on the contrary, Cuitláhuac took the opportunity to organize the struggle of his people and asked Tlaxcala, Cholula and Michoacan for assistance. He participated in the fight and was at the origin of the "sad noche" of Cortés, the flight of the conquistadores of Tenochtitlan.

(Geni,2022)

Achivements

Cuitlahuac was one of the most important and known tlatoani because he was a very good leadet in combat, he was responsible of the noche triste that was a combat with the europeans and he was resonsible of wining this combat.

Upon the arrival of Hernán Cortés in Tlaxcala the following October, Cuitláhuac headed the faction of the Aztec Council that was in favor of armed resistance to the conquistadors and their indigenous allies.

Cuitláhuac: 10th Tlatoani

(Mexicodesconocido,2022)

DEATH

Cuitláhuac rebelled against the Spanish occupation of Tenochtitlán, decimating Hernán Cortés’ forces in their retreat from the city on the noche triste (Spanish: “sad night”) of June 30, 1520. During his four-month reign Cuitláhuac tried to form a federation against the Spaniards, but his efforts failed because of the hatred of other Indian peoples for the Aztec. He died of smallpox during the subsequent Spanish siege of Tenochtitlán and was succeeded by his nephew Cuauhtémoc, the last Aztec ruler.

(Mexicodesconocido,2022)

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