The Aztec Warrior Poet Nezahualcoyotl

When you think about the population of Mexico in the years before the arrival of the Spanish, the things which come to mind are likely Montezuma, Mesoamerican pyramids, and chocolate with chili peppers in it. However, the civilizations in the area were ripe with unique historical figures and incredible innovations. Nearly every major culture had writing systems of one kind or another, and there were poets and writers whose work is still known to this day, including Nezahualcoyotl.

Nezahualcoyotl was the ruler of Texcoco, a city-state in the plateau region of Mexico. Now a legend, he is considered a major figure in Mexican history as a poet, a philosopher, and a warrior.. Born in 1402, he was the son of the then-ruler of the city, Ixtilxochitl I; though he was the heir to the throne, the city was conquered by the invading Tepanec tribe, forcing the royal family to flee into exile.

The Tepanecs had come from the neighboring city of Azapotzalco; after several years in hiding, Nezahualcoyotl joined an allies' military and led a siege against Texcoco's new rulers. A coalition was formed, with the help of information gained through implanted spies, and Pre-Hispanic armies endeavored and succeeded in reconquering the region.. He regained power lost when his father was usurped as ruler, and was handed the crown in 1431.

The army did not only re-take Texcoco, but also wiped out Azapotzalco, eliminating the Tepanec as a significant power. Nezahualcoyotl's intelligent coalition strategy helped to usher in the Aztec Triple Alliance between three powerful city-states. He was highly respected due to his interest in listening to opposing views, and also because he encouraged art, philosophy and music to flourish..

The era of Nezahualcoyotl's rule came to be known as the Golden age of Texcoco. It was a place where artistry, law, and scholarly pursuits were celebrated, and the city became known as the intellectual center of the Triple Alliance. It had a massive library that was renowned throughout the area, but was unfortunately destroyed during the Spanish conquest. This kingdom was known as the "Athens of the Western World".

The tradition of passing down stories and other writings has made Nezahualcoyotl famous, as his poetry has been preserved in the Classical Nahuatl language over the decades.. He was also reputed to be a clever engineer, designing many of Texcoco's innovative constructs. For instance, he is credited with building a dike which separated the fresh water of a local lake from the undrinkable brackish liquid; the system remained in use for over one hundred years following his death.

When Nezahualcoyotl died in 1472, he was survived by 110 children; one of them, his son Nezahuapilli, took the throne and continue to rule. His descendants have collected his poetry for public consumption. A statue of the king stands in the city which bears his name, near the capital of Mexico.

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