ACOLHUA POET ARCHITECT NEZAHUALCOYOTL DIED
Born about April 28, 1402 in Texcoco, northeast of Tenochtitlan, his name meant ”The Hungry Coyote.” He was 16 when his father, Ixtlilxochitl I, ruler of Texcoco, was dethroned. In 1428, a coalition of cities conquered Texcoco and Nezahualcoyotl was crowned Tlatoani of Texcoco in 1431. Considered one of the greatest minds of Mesoamerican civilization, he is credited with Texcoco’s Golden Age. His reign brought the rule of law, scholarship and artistry to the city. His government employed a division of power with councils of war, justice, finance and culture. Texcoco had the greatest library of Mesoamerican civilization. A great philosopher and poet, his poems include historical references and autobiographical elements. He was also a great architect, engineer, and city planner. Texcoco had impressive gardens, a self-governing academy of scholars and poets, monuments, aqueducts, and palaces. When he died, his son, Nezahualpilli, ruled the city until 1516, continuing his policies.
Source: Natalia Klimczak, “The Golden Age Of Texcoco, Powerful City Of King Nezahualcoyot,” Ancient-Origins, 1/31/2016. Retrieved 7/2/2019, Https://Www.Ancient-Origins.Net/Ancient-Places-Americas/Golden-Age-Texcoco-Powerful-City-King-Nezahualcoyotl-005276
Graphic: Author unknown. Date: Circa 16th century. Public Domain in U.S.: Pre 1/1/1925. Public Domain elsewhere where copyright term is author’s life plus 100 years or less.