Nezahualcóyotl

Nezahualcóyotl (Nahuatl: Nezahualcóyotl), also known as the Hungry Coyote, was the tlatoani (king) of Texcoco in the Valley of Mexico. He lived circa 1402–1472 and played a central role in the formation of the Aztec Triple Alliance through his alliance with Tenochtitlan and Tlacopan. He ruled Texcoco from around 1431 until his death and is remembered as a ruler who fostered culture, learning, and political reform.

During his reign, Nezahualcóyotl pursued urban development and statecraft. He promoted public works, water management, and canal projects around the Texcoco area, contributing to the region’s agricultural and economic base. He also implemented laws and administrative practices, emphasizing justice and governance. His court became a renowned center for Nahuatl poetry and scholarship, and he is credited with composing verse in Nahuatl that reflects philosophy, ethics, and reflections on life and governance. His poetry survives in post-conquest compilations and is regarded as some of the earliest and most influential in Nahuatl literature.

Nezahualcóyotl's legacy extended beyond his lifetime through his son Nezahualpilli, who succeeded him. Texcoco remained an important cultural and political hub within the Aztec state, contributing to the alliance’s intellectual and artistic life. Today, Nezahualcóyotl is remembered as a notable physician of governance and a prolific poet whose work provides insight into pre-Columbian philosophy and the social ideals of his era.