Motecuhzoma biography of albert

He wore ornaments of gold, precious stone and fine feathers, and a crown of turquoise gleamed upon his head. As he was considered to be both man and god none of those who accompanied him dared look into his eyes, preferring to shield their own and divert their gaze. The product of generations of aristocratic marriage alliances with nobles of old Toltec origin, Moctezuma represented the civilised traits of this people and the glory of Topiltzin Quetzalcoatl, the priest-god and Toltec patron.

The emperor also acted on behalf of Huitzilopochtli, the rougher, less refined and more warlike Aztec patron god. Having risen to power in his forties, this Aztec leader was complex, pious and intelligent. He attended a Calmecac, a religious school for those of noble descent or high achieving common children. There, he learnt to steel himself against cold, pain and self-sacrifice.

A youth, he would train alongside commoners and learn to become a warrior. As a young noble, he was unaccustomed to receiving special attention. This earned him the honour of becoming one of the four priests that held down a sacrificial victim, live image of Xiuhtecuhtli, whose heart was extracted. The venture up the pole was not only a development for his religious career; Moctezuma showed his skill as an athlete, by reaching the top before any of his competitors, noble or common.

Moctezuma was born around in the

After all, although Huey Tlatoque were essentially elected into power, they must have either a brother, father or grandfather who had held this role in the past. Moctezuma Xocoyotzin was the grandson of the old Huehue Moctezuma Ilhuicamina, who ruled the Aztec lands from We know that Moctezuma Xocoyotzin performed well at war and was also an accomplished priest.

During his thirties, he became commander-in-chief of the Aztec legions. He was often absent from Tenochtitlan, expanding the empire on campaigns abroad, but his elevated rank meant that he could keep a palace outside of the city grounds, near Tollan Tula and Cholollan Cholula.