Montezuma: Warlord of the Aztecs

Chapter 3 Arrow Wars and Flower Wars

33 3 Arrow Wars and Flower Wars Hammering Oaxaca The rich Mixtec region ofTototepec along the Pacific coast of Oaxaca had been under assault by the Mexica for several generations and had been much reduced in size. After his coronation war, Motecuhzoma directed his first campaigns there. He led the army in person, determined to excel the now-legendary Ahuítzotl His first target, however, was chosen more by greed than policy. In 1503 he heard of a small, rare tlapalizquixochitl tree, belonging to Malinal, the Mixtec king of Tlachquiauhco. In a land already famous for its fruit trees, the king had imported this tree at great cost for its blossoms, which were of exquisite fragrance and incomparable beauty. Motecuhzoma was determined to have it, even though Tenochtitlan’s cold climate was unsuited for such a tropical plant. Nothing of such beauty could exist without his possessing it. Motecuhzoma demanded it of Malinal, who refused. That triggered a Mexica attack. Malinal and many of his people died defending their city, which was annexed to the empire along with all its subject towns. The tree was uprooted and died. In 1504 Motecuhzoma challenged Tlaxcallan to a flower war. The tlatoani led in person, only to see his Mexica bested. A reinforcing army was defeated as well. Motecuhzoma dispensed with chivalry and led a massive invasion in an arrow war of conquest of Tlaxcallan, which also failed. It would not be the first time he would meet defeat at their hands. Nevertheless, each attack on Tlaxcallan and the other Enemies of the House nibbled away at their dependencies and closed a ring of Mexica vassals around them. Motecuhzoma restlessly looked to easier opportunities for conquest in the Huaxyacac region of southern Oaxaca near the Isthmus of Tehuantepec; he was brought one by lapidaries and merchants of Tenochtitlan and Tlatelolco. These workers and dealers in precious stones complained to him that the cost of the fine grinding sand and polishing emery from Tototepec and Quetzaltepec was far too high. Accordingly, he sent an embassy requesting sand and emery, for which he would be willing to pay, offering rich mantles. Ostensibly he was asking for an outright business transaction, but the people of the region saw it for what it really was—a demand for tribute—and promptly killed the ambassadors and closed their borders. Other merchants learned of the killings and brought word to the tlatoani. He sent other merchants in disguise to confirm the news. Motecuhzoma mobilized a four-hundred-thousand man army for the 1505–1506 campaign season and marched directly on the two cities. Special commissary preparations were needed because of the huge host and the 1,300-kilometer round-trip distance. A final difficult approach march ended in the face of a river in full flood, with the enemy cities safely on the other side. The force of the river disconcerted his soldiers; their frustration was not helped by the crowds of people from Tototepec and Quetzaltepec who gathered on the other side to jeer and taunt them. Motecuhzoma, who “was the enemy of lost time,” was not impressed and immediately ordered balsa wood rafts and portable bridges built. The army crossed quickly at night and was breaking into Tototepec before the inhabitants knew they were there. Motecuhzoma cried havoc as his army rushed through the streets killing and burning until daylight, when he ordered the men back into ranks. Aside from the 1,250 captives taken for sacrifice, only children nine years 34 montezuma of age and younger had been spared, on Motecuhzoma’s orders. Quetzaltepec also fell. The next year, 1507, much of the region was in revolt, emboldened by a severe Mexica defeat at the hands of Huexotzinco. The cities of Yancuitlan and Tzotzollan went so far as to send challenges to Motecuhzoma. He gathered two hundred thousand men and rapidly marched them into the rebellious region. From the sleeping city, scouts snatched a prisoner for interrogation. The next day’s attack struck the city’s weaknesses and collapsed its defense . Motecuhzoma ordered its population put to the sword. The people of Tzotzollan were not slow to react and completely evacuated their city, fleeing so far that the Mexica scouts could find no trace of them.1 The army marched on Quetzaltepec again in arms against the Mexica. As usual, scouts moved ahead to reconnoiter the city, but could find...