Axayacatl

Axayacatl was the sixth Aztec ruler, reigning from 1469 to 1481. He was the son of the Aztec princess Atotoztli and Tezozomoc, a son of the previous ruler Moctezuma I. Axayacatl's reign was marked by significant military campaigns and the expansion of the Aztec Empire. He led campaigns against various city-states, including Chalco and Tlaxcala, consolidating Aztec dominance in the region.

A notable event during his rule was the defeat of the Tarascans, although the Aztecs were ultimately unsuccessful in conquering their kingdom. Axayacatl was also a patron of the arts and sciences. He commissioned the construction of several important buildings and temples in Tenochtitlan, the Aztec capital. He is also credited with ordering the carving of the famous Aztec Sun Stone, a monumental basalt sculpture that depicts Aztec cosmology and calendrical systems.

Under his leadership, the empire's tribute system was strengthened, bringing valuable resources to Tenochtitlan. Axayacatl's reign laid the groundwork for his successors, particularly his brother Ahuitzotl, to further expand the empire. He died in 1481, and his successor was his brother, Ahuitzotl.