Atotoztli: the unknown story of the only woman who ruled Tenochtitlan

In Mexico, it is very common to see places, such as streets, metro stations, or even monuments, with the names of important people in the country. There are even places or monuments with the names of the most outstanding or important Tlatoani of the pre-Hispanic era.

A clear example of these is the Moctezuma metro station, who was the tlatoani or ruler of Tenochtitlan at the time when the Spaniards arrived in the capital of the Mexican empire, commanded by Hernán Cortés. There is also a colony named after this tlatoani, who was imprisoned by the Spaniards. Both in Mexico City.

Another clear example is that of Cuauhtémoc, who was the last ruler of Tenochtitlan. From it, you can also find a metro station, a colony, and even a mayor's office, in Mexico City.

However, little or nothing is said about any outstanding female character of this period. Little is known about the participation of women in society at this time. Although documents have been found that narrate the presence of an important woman in pre-Hispanic times, before the arrival of Cortes with her men.

This is Atotoztli, who was the only daughter of Moctezuma Ilhuicamina or Moctezuma I, the fifth Tlatoani of the Toltec-Mexica dynasty in ancient Mexico, during the predominance of the city of Tenochtitlan. She was a key figure in the continuity of the empire's lineage, which was consummated when she married Tezozomoch. It should be noted that its historical presence acquires importance not only because it is the bearer of the lineage, but because it has the right to reign. This means that she ruled Tenochtitlan before her son, who was Axayácatl, father of Moctezuma Xocoyotzin or Moctezuma II, whom most of historians call it the sixth tlatoani.

In the Genealogy of the Mexica princes, Atotoztli is shown below the figure of Moctezuma Ilhuicamina, which confirms her direct relationship as a daughter, as she carries on her head a Nahuatl legend, which says Cihuapilli, which means lady or princess. In addition, the figure shows a glyph consisting of two bird heads and a yellow feather below its name. Atotoztli, in its Spanish translation means “water bird”.

Little is known about the women of the Tenochtitlan dynasty, however, Atotoztli seems a singular case, because being the only legitimate descendant of her father, she held a prestigious position, according to the page of the National Institute of Indigenous Peoples (INPI), of the federal government.

So, without it, the lineage would have ended. From this perspective, his marriage bond with Tezozomoch, son of Itzcóatl, the fourth Tlatoani, became more important because he had three children with him, who were not only heirs to the throne, but also served as tlatoque, which is the plural of tlatoani, of the dynasty.

With the death of Moctezuma Ilhuicamina, the presence of Atotoztli was highlighted. In relation to this situation, several positions are presented, that is, in the record of history he is absent as tlatoani, but there are data that indicate the opposite, and the possibility that he did rule after his father.

Fray Toribio de Benavente, Motolinia, in History of the Indians of New Spain wrote: “Atotoztli, daughter of Moctezuma I, married Tezozomoch, son of Itzcoatl, and from this marriage were born Tizoc, Axayácatl and Ahuizotl; water face, succeeded Moctezuma I, and ruled between 1469 and 1481 ″.

The Ramirez Codex states that among the kings of Tenochtitlan, was the daughter of Moctezuma I, Atotoztli, a Mexica queen and a key figure in the regeneration of the Toltec-Mexica lineage. This is why the role of this woman in this process is so important.

That a woman had held the position of Tlatoani, which was the highest function of Tenochtitlan's political system, was regarded as an inconsistency. Hence, in the historical Mexican sources there is no mention of his period of government. On the other hand, it is mentioned that the wedding with Tezozomoch was held to ensure that the right to reign did not come out of the family lineage established by the first Mexican tlatoani, Acamapichtli.

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