Tlahuicole or ''Tlahuicolli'' (1497–1518) was a
Tlaxcaltec
The Tlaxcalans, or Tlaxcaltecs, are a Nahua people who live in the Mexican state of Tlaxcala.
Pre-Columbian history
The Tlaxcaltecs were originally a conglomeration of three distinct ethnic groups who spoke Nahuatl, Otomi, and Pinome that compri ...
warrior noted for his skill and ethical standards.
[Graulich, Michel, F. Navarrete, and G. Olivier. "Tlahuicole: Un héroe tlaxcalteca controvertido." El héroe entre el mito y la historia (2000): 89-99. Harvard]
Biography
Tlahuicole was regarded as the most formidable hero of his country, and commanded the Tlaxcaltec forces in the civil war in 1516 between the partisans of
Cacamatzin
Cacamatzin (or Cacama) (1483–1520) was the tlatoani (ruler) of Texcoco,Diaz, B., 1963, The Conquest of New Spain, London: Penguin Books, the second most important city of the Aztec Empire.
Cacamatzin was a son of the previous king Nezahualpil ...
and
Ixtlilxochitl II
Ixtlilxochitl II (c. 1500–c. 1550) was the son of Nezahualpilli, Tlatoani of Texcoco. In 1516 Nezahualpilli died, and the succession was contested by several of his sons, including Cacamatzin and Ixtlilxochitl. The former gained the support of ...
. He was taken prisoner by stratagem and brought to
Mexico-Tenochtitlan
, ; es, Tenochtitlan also known as Mexico-Tenochtitlan, ; es, México-Tenochtitlan was a large Mexican in what is now the historic center of Mexico City. The exact date of the founding of the city is unclear. The date 13 March 1325 was c ...
, the Aztec capital, but his bravery and character made such an impression on
Moctezuma II
Moctezuma Xocoyotzin ( – 29 June 1520; oteːkˈsoːmaḁ ʃoːkoˈjoːt͡sĩn̥), nci-IPA, Motēuczōmah Xōcoyōtzin, moteːkʷˈsoːma ʃoːkoˈjoːtsin variant spellings include Motewksomah, Motecuhzomatzin, Montezuma, Moteuczoma, Motecu ...
that he ordered the captive's release, an act unprecedented in
Mexican
Mexican may refer to:
Mexico and its culture
*Being related to, from, or connected to the country of Mexico, in North America
** People
*** Mexicans, inhabitants of the country Mexico and their descendants
*** Mexica, ancient indigenous people ...
history. But Tlahuicole refused to profit by the monarch's generosity. He said to Moctezuma that it would be infamous for him to return to his country after being conquered, and insisted on suffering the fate of the other prisoners. Moctezuma, anxious to save his life, offered him the command of an army about to be sent against the
Purépecha
The Purépecha (endonym pua, P'urhepecha ) are a group of indigenous people centered in the northwestern region of Michoacán, Mexico, mainly in the area of the cities of Cherán and Pátzcuaro.
They are also known by the pejorative "Tarascan ...
s, who had invaded his frontiers.
Tlahuicole accepted Moctezuma's offer, hoping to meet a glorious death in the ensuing battle. He advanced at the head of the Mexica troops to the city of Tangimoroa, called by the Mexicas Tlaximaloyan (modern
Ciudad Hidalgo), cut through the Purépecha army, which made a desperate resistance, and defeated them several times. He returned to Tenochtitlan, laden with spoils and accompanied by a long train of captives. Moctezuma lavished fresh honors on him, but failed to persuade him to accept the perpetual office of commander-in-chief or to return to his native country. He refused constantly, alleging that to do the first would be treason to his country, and to do the second would be a stain on his glory.
At last Moctezuma consented to satisfy the desire of his general, and ordered him to be tied to the stone of the gladiators for the final contest. He was armed in the usual fashion, and Moctezuma, with all his court, was present at the spectacle. Eight famous warriors of
Anahuac attacked him one after the other, and were all disabled: the ninth, however, stunned him with a blow, and he was then put to death, with the customary ceremonies.
Notes
References
*{{Appletons', wstitle=Tlalhuicole, year=1889 This work in turn cites:
**
Abbé Brasseur de Bourbourg, ''Histoire des nations civilisées du Mexique et de l'Amérique Centrale durant les siècles antérieurs à Christophe Colomb'' (4 vols., Paris, 1859)
**
Juan de Torquemada, ''Monarquía Indiana'' (Seville, 1615)
1497 births
1518 deaths
People from Tlaxcala
Mexican soldiers
Warriors of Central and South America