Tlatoanis

Tlatoani is a Nahuatl word meaning "speaker" or "he who speaks" and was the title given to the rulers of the Mexica (Aztec) city-states. The tlatoani held supreme authority, serving as the political, military, and religious leader of their community. While often translated as "emperor" or "king," the role of a tlatoani was more nuanced, representing the collective will and interests of their people. The position was hereditary, typically passing from father to son, though other family members could be chosen if deemed more capable. The investiture of a new tlatoani was a significant ceremony, involving elaborate rituals and the endorsement of the city's elders and nobility. Under their rule, the Mexica expanded their influence, establishing the Aztec Empire and making the tlatoani of Tenochtitlan the most powerful figure in Mesoamerica. Notable tlatoanis include Moctezuma I, Axayacatl, and Moctezuma II, whose reign coincided with the arrival of the Spanish conquistadors. The office of tlatoani ultimately ceased to exist with the fall of Tenochtitlan in 1521.