Nezahualcoyotl

28 April 1402 – 4 June 1472

Nezahualcoyotl (1402-1472) was the tlatoani (ruler) of the city-state of Texcoco in pre-Columbian Mexico and a co-founder of the Aztec Triple Alliance. Renowned as a poet, philosopher, engineer and lawgiver, he built celebrated aqueducts, gardens and a dike protecting Tenochtitlan, and a rich tradition of Nahuatl poetry is attributed to him.

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Life events

Born in Texcoco, son of the ruler Ixtlilxochitl I
28 April 1402

Nezahualcoyotl ('Fasting Coyote') was born into the ruling dynasty of the Acolhua city-state of Texcoco in the Valley of Mexico.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Witnessed his father's killing and fled into exile
1418

When Tepanec forces under Tezozomoc of Azcapotzalco conquered Texcoco and killed his father, the young prince escaped and spent years in exile.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Educated in Tenochtitlan among his Mexica relatives
c. 1420

During his exile he lived and studied in Tenochtitlan, forging ties with the Mexica nobility that shaped his later alliances.

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Joined the war that overthrew the Tepanec empire of Azcapotzalco
1428

Allied with Tenochtitlan and Tlacopan, Nezahualcoyotl helped defeat the Tepanecs under Maxtla, avenging his father and recovering his homeland.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Co-founded the Aztec Triple Alliance
1428

Texcoco joined Tenochtitlan and Tlacopan in the Triple Alliance that became the basis of the Aztec Empire.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Restored to the throne of Texcoco as tlatoani
1431

Nezahualcoyotl was formally installed as ruler of Texcoco, which he governed for over four decades.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Composed poetry and philosophical songs in Nahuatl
c. 1440

A substantial body of Nahuatl poetry meditating on mortality, beauty and the divine is traditionally attributed to Nezahualcoyotl, though the attributions are debated by scholars.

Achievement ?
Designed the dike and aqueduct system protecting Tenochtitlan
c. 1449

He is credited with engineering a great dike across Lake Texcoco to hold back brackish water and with aqueducts supplying fresh water to Tenochtitlan.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Built the palace complex and gardens of Texcotzingo
c. 1455

His hillside retreat at Texcotzingo, with baths, terraces and botanical gardens fed by aqueducts, is considered a masterpiece of pre-Columbian landscape design.

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Died in Texcoco, succeeded by his son Nezahualpilli
4 June 1472

Nezahualcoyotl died in 1472 after a reign of more than forty years and was succeeded by his son Nezahualpilli.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Death ✓