Tlatoani

The word tlatoani comes from Nahuatl and means “he who speaks,” reflecting the ruler’s role as the voice and highest authority of his people. Each city-state (altépetl) had its own tlatoani, and the ruler of Tenochtitlan held the title of huey tlatoani, or “great speaker.”

Famous tlatoanis include Moctezuma Xocoyotzin, who received Hernán Cortés in 1519, and Cuauhtémoc, the last ruler of Tenochtitlan.