Having been among the last to settle in the Valley of Mexico, the Mexica of Tenochtitlán initially pledged themselves to the powerful Tepanecs on the western shore of Lake Texcoco – helping them conquer new cities, to counter the threat of the Acolhua city-state, Texcoco, on the eastern bank. However, by 1426, Tenochtitlán had grown powerful. Not only was the island-settlement built on fertile land, with an abundance of fish, ducks, frogs and algae, but it was easily defensible, sitting alongside a second market-city, Tlatelolco – where merchants sold exotic goods, such as parrot feathers and jewels.
That year, the Tepanec throne was usurped by the anti-Mexica Maxtla, who simultaneously assassinated the Mexica leader, blockaded Tenochtitlán and attacked Texcoco. In response, Tenochtitlán and Texcoco partnered with Tlacopan, besieging the Tepanec…
