This Tuesday, Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo receives power and becomes the first president in more than 200 years of independent Mexico. However, there are records that a woman had previously governed, although not Mexico as such, but an empire that existed in the territory that is now the country.
This is Atotoztli, a woman who lived several centuries ago and who governed Tenochtitlan, capital of the Mexica empire.
According to the information published on the official website of the Government of Mexico, Atotoztli was the only daughter of Moctezuma Ilhuicamina or Moctezuma I, who was 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 lineage of the empire, which was consummated with her marriage to Tezozómoc. Her presence stands out, not only for being the bearer of the lineage, but for having the right to reign. That is, she ruled before her son Axayácatl, whom historians usually name as 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 his daughter, since above her head she bears the legend in Nahuatl Cihuapilli, which means “lady or princess.” The figure shows an engraved or painted glyph, formed by two bird heads and a yellow feather below her name, and Atotoztli, which translates as water bird.
Little is known about the women of the Tenochtitlan dynasty, however, Atotoztli seems to be a unique case, since being the only legitimate descendant of Moctezuma Ilhuicamina, she held a prestigious position. Without her, the lineage would have ended.
This is why her marriage to Tezozomoc, who was the son of the fourth tlatoani Itzcoatl, became more important because she had three children with him, who were not only heirs to the throne, but also served as tlatoque (plural of tlatoani) of the dynasty.
When her father died, Atotoztli’s presence became relevant. In relation to this situation, there are various positions, that is, in the historical record she is absent as tlatoani, but there is data that indicates the opposite and the possibility that she was a ruler after her father.
For example, Fray Toribio de Benavente, Motolinia, in Historia de los Indios de la Nueva España wrote: Atotoztli, daughter of Moctezuma I, married Tezozomoc, son of Itzcoatl, and from this marriage were born Tizoc, Axayácatl and Ahuizotl; Aquatic face, succeeded Moctezuma I, and ruled between 1469 and 1481.
The Ramírez Codex indicates that among the kings of Tenochtitlan was the daughter of Moctezuma I, Atotoztli: Aztec queen and key figure for the regeneration of the lineage of the Toltec-Mexica dynasty.
That a woman had occupied the position of tlatoani was considered an inconsistency, which is why her period of government is not mentioned in Mexican historical sources. On the other hand, it is mentioned that her wedding with Tezozómoc was carried out to ensure that the right to reign did not leave the family line established by Acamapichtli, the first Mexica tlatoani.
Source: infobae
