Mixtec monarchs, also known as Mixtec kings and queens, were the centers of power for the Mixtec culture. Each Mixtec city-state (ñuu) was controlled by a dynasty of kings, and the rule of a city was usually inherited by the oldest son.
Mixtec territory
In pre-Columbian times, the Mixtec were one of the major civilizations of Mesoamerica. The Mixtec territories are usually subdivided into three geographic areas: The Mixteca Alta or Highland Mixtec, living in the mountains in, around, and to the west of the Valley of Oaxaca; the Mixteca Baja or Lowland Mixtec living to the north and west of these highlands, and the Mixteca de la Costa or Coastal Mixtec living in the southern plains and the coast of the Pacific Ocean. The valley of Oaxaca itself was often a disputed border region, sometimes dominated by the Mixtec and sometimes by their neighbors to the east, the Zapotec.
The Mixtecs never formed a political unit that integrated all the villages occupied by members of that people, although the largest political unit known to that pre-Columbian nation was formed under the government of Eight Deer in Tilantongo. Nevertheless, for most of Mixtec history, the Mixteca Alta was the dominant political force, with the capitals of the Mixtec nation located in the central highlands, in important ancient centers such as Tilantongo, Achiutla, Cuilapan, Huajuapan, Mitla, Tlaxiaco, Tututepec, Juxtlahuaca, and Yucuñudahui.
The Mixtecs also made major constructions at the ancient city of Monte Albán (which had originated as a Zapotec city before the Mixtecs gained control of it).
History
The Postclassic is by far the best known period of pre-Hispanic Mixtec history, thanks to the preservation of oral history in colonial documents, but also to the codex that survived the destruction and the time after the arrival of the Spaniards in La Mixteca. It is also the period for which more rulers are known, and this information comes, not only from oral tradition, but also from those same codices.
In Mesoamerica, the Postclassic is marked by the flourishing of militaristic states. In fact, Mixtec populations were organized in small states hostile to each other, each headed by a city of first importance that ruled over other settlements subject to its authority. The construction of a hierarchical structure in the relations between the head towns of the Mixtec lordships (called ñuu) and their satellites (called siqui) is constant in Mixtec history, although in this period it is accentuated due to the increase in population and the political strategies of the ruling elitesSpores, 1967: 198.. This does not mean that societies of previous stages didn't wage war, as some city-states's walls date back to the first millennium BC, but in the Postclassic military activity mey have taken greater importance, as evidenced by the proliferation of paraphernalia associated with war and the cult of warrior deities throughout the region.López Austin y López Luján, 1999.
Known rulers of Mixtec city-states
In Mixteca Costa
Acatepec, Yucu Yoo
1090-1097: ♀ Six Monkey 'War Quexquemitl' (usurper, deposed), Sub-rulers ♂ 3 Alligator and ♂ 1 Movement 1097-1115: ♂ Eight Deer 'Jaguar Claw' (usurper)
Juquila, Ñuu Sitoho
?: ♂ One Death 'Sun Serpent', and ♀ Eleven Serpent 'Flower Quetzal Feathers' (wife) (parents-in-law of ♂ Six House, King of Tilantongo)
Tututepec (Yucu Dzaa) and Zacatepec (Yucu Chatuta)
?: Nizainzo Huidzo c.357: Mzatzin
RulerBornReignCity/RealmConsortDeathNotes2nd Tilantongo dynasty♂ Eight Deer 'Jaguar Claw'Nacuaa 'Teyusi Ñaña' 5 October 1063TilantongoSon of ♂ Five Alligator 'Sun Rain' (priest) and ♀ Eleven Water 'Jewel Bird'1084 – 10 November 1115Tututepec♀ Thirteen Serpent 'Flowered Serpent'(of Huachino)1103five children♀ Six Eagle 'Jaguar Spiderweb'Ñusa 'Nduvua Cuiñe' (of Chalcatongo)1105one child♀ Ten Vulture 'Shining Quechquemitl'(of Teita)1105two children♀ Eleven Serpent 'Jaguar Flower Turquoise Teeth'(of Totomihuacan)1105two children♀ Six Wind 'Great Feathers of Noble Blood'(of Cuyotepeji)no children10 November 1115Tilantongoaged 52 Usurper and founder of a new royal line at Tilantongo. After his death Tututepec went to his murderer (and later son-in-law) Four Wind Fire Serpent.Pedernales-Achiutla dynasty ♂ Four Wind 'Fire Serpent'Quichi 'Yahui' 1092HuachinoSon of ♂ Eleven Wind, King of Huachino and ♀ Six Monkey, Queen of Jaltepec 10 November 1115 – 1164Tututepec ♀ Ten Flower 'Rain Spiderweb'Sihuaco 'Nduvua Dzavui' (of Tilantongo)1124one child♀ Five Lizard 'Zacate-Pulque Vase'(of Deep Valley )1124 or 1125three children♀ Five Wind 'Jade and Fur Ornament'(of Tilantongo)1125no children 1164Pedernalesaged 71–72 ♂ Eleven Jaguar 'Rain Fire Wall' ?Son of ♂ Four Wind 1120 – 1188Zacatepec Unknownat least one child 1188Zacatepec In 1120, he was given the settlement of Zacatepec by his father. ♂ Seven Lizard 'Sun Rain'Saque 'Dzavui Ndicandii' ?Son of ♂ Eleven Jaguar c.1188Zacatepec Unknown?
Main polities in Mixteca Alta and their direct dependencies
Tilantongo (Ñuu Tnoo) and Teozacoalco (Chiyo Cahnu)
RulerBornReignCity/RealmConsortDeathNotes1st Tilantongo dynasty♂ Ten House 'Jaguar'Sicuau 'Cuiñe' ? ? Tilantongo ♀ One Grass 'Puma'Cacuañe 'Ñaña' (of Apoala)(born c.880)one child ? First known ruler of the settlement.♂ Three Eagle 'Eagle of the Serpent Place' ? Son of ♂ Ten House and ♀ One Grass ? – after 942Tilantongo ♀ Four Rabbit 'Quexquemitl'Quisayu 'Dzico' (of Mitlatongo)two children after 942 ♂ Nine Wind 'Stone Skull' 942TilantongoSon of ♂ Three Eagle and Four Rabbit ? – 1020Tilantongo ♀ Five Reed 'Rain Hill'(of Monte Albán-Achiutla)c.990three children 1020aged 77–78 His brother, ♂ One Monkey, inherited their mother's city of Mitlatongo.♂ Ten Flower 'Burnt-Eyed Jaguar' 992TilantongoSon of ♂ Nine Wind and ♀ Five Reed 1020 – 1043Tilantongo♀ Two Serpent 'Plumed Serpent'Cayo 'Coo Yodzo' (of Suchixtlán)(born 1005)1013six children 1043aged 50–51 Many of his relatives are known to have sit exclusively in some thrones: ?: ♂ 10 Flower (II) Tail Arc (his brother-in-law; ruled in the settlement of Dark Speckled Mountain ) ?: ♂ 10 Reed (I) Precious Jaguar (his son-in-law; ruled in the settlement of Tataltepec (Yucu Tatnu)) ?: ♂ 10 Reed (II) (his son-in-law; ruled in the settlement of Topiltepec, Yucu Quesi/Ñuu Ñañu )♂ Twelve Lizard 'Arrow Feet' c.1013Son of ♂ Ten Flower and ♀ Two Serpent 1043 – c.1080?Tilantongo ♀ Four Flint 'Face Quetzal Feathers'(of Topiltepec)♀ Four Alligator 'Jewel Face'(of Topiltepec)four children in total c.1080?Tilantongoaged around 66-67 Married his nieces, daughters of his sister, ♀ Twelve Jaguar 'Jewel Spiderweb'.♂ Five Movement 'Smoked Sky' c.1030?Son of ♂ Twelve Lizard 1080 – ? Tilantongo ♀ Four Death 'Jewel of the People'(of Jaltepec)no children♀ Two Grass1073one child ? The succession of the son and grandson of Twelve Lizard is debated, as Lord 12 Lizard is the last of his dynasty explicitly depicted as king of Tilantongo before Eight Deer's conquest (1097). Even his grandson, who died young in a mysterious suicide ritual, is sometimes called by experts as an heir, instead of an official ruler. There isn't also any indication of the time of death of Lord 12 Lizard, which confuses matters. What is known is that, as Two Grass (Two Rain's mother) came from Visible Stones (a place under domination of Suchixtlán), Suchixtlán became influent in Tilantongo during this period of uncertainty. It's also possible that Twelve Lizard's sister, Lady 4 Rabbit Precious Quetzal, was his next heiress, as, before usurping the throne, Lord 8 Deer had bowed to her and her husband in their town at Sosola (Acuchi).♂ Two Rain 'Twenty Jaguars'Cachi 'Ocoñaña' 1075TilantongoSon of ♂ Five Movement and ♀ Two Grass ? – 18 June 1097 Unmarried 18 June 1097Tilantongoaged 21–222nd Tilantongo dynasty♂ Eight Deer 'Jaguar Claw'Nacuaa 'Teyusi Ñaña' 5 October 1063TilantongoSon of ♂ Five Alligator 'Sun Rain' (priest) and ♀ Eleven Water 'Jewel Bird'18 June 1097 – 10 November 1115Tilantongo♀ Thirteen Serpent 'Flowered Serpent'Siyo 'Ita Coo' (of Huachino)1103five children♀ Six Eagle 'Jaguar Spiderweb'Ñusa 'Nduvua Cuiñe' (of Chalcatongo)1105one child♀ Ten Vulture 'Shining Quechquemitl'(of Teita)1105two children♀ Eleven Serpent 'Jaguar Flower Turquoise Teeth'(of Totomihuacan)1105two children♀ Six Wind 'Great Feathers of Noble Blood'(of Cuyotepeji)no children10 November 1115Tilantongoaged 52 Usurper and founder of a new royal line at Tilantongo. After his death the influence in Mixtec realms passed to Pedernales, but the succession continued in Tilantongo. Lord 8 Deer was related to other settlements: His father-in-law, Lord 1 Deer Coanacoch is the only known ruler in the settlement of Cuyotepeji. ♂ Six House 'Jaguar Falling from Heaven' 1109TilantongoSon of ♂ Eight Deer and ♀ Six Eagle 10 November 1115 – c.1150Tilantongo ♀ Nine Movement 'Heart'(of Juquila)1126one child c.1150aged c.40-41 Children of Eight Deer, divided the realm in 1137. ♂ Four Dog 'Coyote Catcher' 1110TeozacoalcoSon of ♂ Eight Deer and ♀ Thirteen Serpent 1137 – c.1150Teozacoalco ♀ Four Death 'Jewel'Quimahu 'Yusi' (of Cuquila)(born 1115)1125two children c.1150aged c.39-40♂ Five Water 'Stone Jaguar Heaven' ?Son of ♂ Six House and ♀ Nine Movement c.1150 – 1175Tilantongo ♀ Ten Reed 'Quetzal Jewel'(of Tilantongo)eight children c.1175? Married his cousin, daughter of his father's half-brother.♂ Thirteen Dog 'Venus Eagle' 1132TeozacoalcoSon of ♂ Four Dog and ♀ Four Death c.1150 – 1170Teozacoalco ♀ Eight Vulture 'Stone Quechquemitl'♀ Four Rabbit 'Feathers on the Sand'two children in total c.1170?aged 37-38?♂ Seven Water 'Red Eagle' 1149TeozacoalcoSon of ♂ Thirteen Dog c.1170 – 1190Teozacoalco ♀ Eleven Water 'Precious Serpent'Siituta 'Ñaña Coo' two children c.1190aged 40-41?♂ Eight Reed 'Pheasant' 1162Son of ♂ Five Water and ♀ Ten Reed c.1175 – 1185Tilantongo two children c.1185?aged 22-23? Sibling-spouses, ruled jointly.♀ Five Rabbit'Jewel'Qhusayu 'Yusi' c.1165Daughter of ♂ Five Water and ♀ Ten Reed c.1185?aged 19-20?♂ Two Movement 'Serpent with Markings' ?Son of ♂ Eight Reed and ♀ Five Rabbit c.1185 – 1206Tilantongo ♀ Four Eagle 'Blood Quechquemitl'(of Teita)♀ Twelve Flint 'Hummingbird Jewel'(of Yucuita)♀ Ten Eagle 'Serpent Spiderweb'(of Yucuita)three children in total 1206Tilantongo Apparently survived his own sons and heirs, Eight Grass Coyote Sacrificer and One Lizard Bloody Jaguar, and was succeeded by his grandchildren.♂ Thirteen Eagle 'Sacred Rain' ?Son of ♂ Seven Water and ♀ Eleven Water c.1190 – 1220Teozacoalco ♀ Thirteen Death 'Jade Quechquemitl'two children♀ Ten Deer 'Jaguar Quechquemitl'three children♀ Eight Reed 'Precious Girl'one child♀ Lady of the Staff of Respectno children♀ Eleven Movement 'Jewel with Quetzal Feathers'two children♀ Nine MonkeyQhuñuuone child c.1220 ♂ Twelve Reed 'Coyote Sun'Cahuiyo 'Ñaña Ndicandii' ?Son of ♂ One Lizard 'Bloody Jaguar' (of Tilantongo) and ♀ Six Reed 'Jewel' (of Sunken Disk Plain) 1206 – c.1230 Tilantongo before or c.1206three children c.1230? Sibling-spouses and grandchildren of their predecessor. Ruled jointly.♀ Three Jaguar 'Precious Butterfly Sun'Cohuidzu 'Ñaña Tecuvua Ndicandii' ?Daughter of ♂ One Lizard 'Bloody Jaguar' (of Tilantongo) and ♀ Six Reed 'Jewel' (of Sunken Disk Plain) c.1230?♂ Eight Rabbit 'Fire of Tlaxiaco'Nasayu 'Ñuhu Ndisi Nuu' 1189TeozacoalcoSon of ♂ Thirteen Eagle and ♀ Eight Reed c.1220 – 1255Teozacoalco ♀ Six Grass 'Transparent Butterfly'Ñucuañe 'Tecuvua Dzisi Andevui' (of Tilantongo)five children c.1255?aged 65-66? ♂ Five Rain 'Sun Movement' ?Son of ♂ Twelve Reed and ♀ Three Jaguar c.1230 – 1260 Tilantongo ♀ Thirteen Lizard 'Truly Precious Butterfly'Siiquevui 'Ñaña Tecuvua' (of Puma )one child c.1260? ♂ Five Rain was related to other settlements' rulers: