Ixtlilxochitl I

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Ixtlilxochitl I (c. 1380–1418) was the ruler of the Texcoco city-state from 1409 to 1418 and the father of the famous poet-king Nezahualcoyotl. He claimed descent from legendary Chichimec leaders Xolotl and Nopaltzin.

He became tlatoani after his father Techotlalatzin died in 1409. At first, he paid tribute to the powerful Tepanec city Azcapotzalco and its ruler Tezozomoc. He grew restless and, instead of Tezozomoc’s daughter, married the Mexica princess Matlalcihuatzin, daughter of Huitzilihuitl of Tenochtitlan.

In 1414 he took the title Chichimeca Tecuhtli, Lord of the Chichimecs, and urged an alliance with the Mexica against Azcapotzalco. However, Huitzilihuitl remained loyal to Tezozomoc and Azcapotzalco.

Tezozomoc led a large army, including Mexica forces, against Texcoco. After some initial successes, the Mexica and Tezozomoc were repulsed, and Ixtlilxochitl then besieged Azcapotzalco for several months. He could not capture the city and lifted the siege.

The Tepanec forces, again with Mexica support, besieged Texcoco the following year, and Ixtlilxochitl was driven from the city. He was cornered in the foothills of Mount Tlaloc, where his young son Nezahualcoyotl witnessed his death from a nearby tree.

Texcoco was made a tributary of Tenochtitlan, and Nezahualcoyotl fled to Huexotzingo. About ten years later, Nezahualcoyotl would return to retake Texcoco with help from Itzcoatl, the future tlatoani of Tenochtitlan.