The Americas

Cuitlahuac

An Aztec / Mexica city, Cuitlahuac is only briefly mentioned in the surviving accounts. For most of its history during the Aztec period in Central America it was a subject city. Relatively small, it was located on an island between the lakes of Xochimilco and Chalco, which must have made its inhabitants feel secure enough to refuse Aztec demands to obey them. Before that it had been subject to Tepanec control, until it was conquered by Tenochtitlan. Its only known ruler is right at the end of its pre-Colombian history. Mayehua was probably a priest, and he stood alongside the defenders of Tenochtitlan during its final days.

(Original list by Luiz Gustavo.)

1283 - 1414

Tepanec expands, taking Cuitlahuac along with many other cities in the region.

1433

On the dual pretexts that the city is impeding trade and that its people had refused to attend a festival in Tenochtitlan, Cuitlahuac is attacked and defeated by Itzcoatl and is drawn into the growing Aztec empire.

Cuitlahuac's warriors attack the Spanish during the siege of Tenochtitlan

? - 1521

Mayehua

'Glove'.

1520 - 1521

With the advance of the Spanish conquistadors from Cuba, Mayehua flees to Tenochtitlan to take part in the Aztec defence during the siege of 1520. The following year, Cuitlahuac falls with Tenochtitlan.