AHUITZOTL

died 1503 eighth king of the Aztecs, under whose reign (14861503) the Aztec empire reached its greatest extent. The aggressive Ahuitzotl succeeded his brother, Tizoc, to the throne. He proved a merciless warrior, conquering tribes as far south as present-day Guatemala and in territory along the Gulf of Mexico, using such tactics as forced marches, ambushes, and surprise attacks. His men feared and respected him, and their king, after conquering a foreign city, chose to camp with his men rather than stay in a captured palace. Conquest brought enormous wealth to the Aztec empire as tribute poured in from all the vassal states. The capital of Tenochtitln grew to such an extent that Ahuitzotl had another aqueduct built. He built the great temple of Malinalco as well. The king imposed tight bureaucratic control over the empire. Ahuitzotl is known primarily for having occasioned the greatest orgy of sacrificial bloodletting in Aztec history. In 1487 he decided to dedicate his new temple at Tenochtitln. The ceremonies, lasting four days, consisted of prisoners of war forming four lines, each one extending over three miles. As the captives were marched up to the altar, priests and Aztec nobles, including Ahuitzotl, had the honour of cutting open their chests and tearing out their hearts. Between 20,000 and 80,000 prisoners were killed this way, while guests from the conquered provinces were asked to watch. Ahuitzotl was later killed when he hit his head on a stone lintel trying to escape the great flood that devastated Tenochtitln in 1503.