Azcapotzalco (altepetl)
Azcapotzalco was a pre-Columbian Nahua altepetl (state), capital of the Tepanec empire, in the Valley of Mexico, on the western shore of Lake Texcoco.According to chronicler Fernando Alva Ixtlilxóchitl, the Tepanecs were a Chichimec group that settled in 1012 in the region west of Lake Texcoco.The Aztecs called for immediate Azcapotzalco protection, and from this point forward they were subject to military, economic and strategic decisions of the Tepanecas.At the time of his death in 1426,[3] Azcapotzalco was an authentic "Hueyi Tlahtohcayotl"; it controlled trade routes at least 40 altépetl.Between 1414–1418, Azcapotzalco controlled the entire Valley of Mexico, thanks to the decisive contribution of Aztec and mercenary forces and a series of careful pacts with regional people.Maxtla failed to maintain alliances and lost the crucial support of the Aztecs by arranging for the assassination of their tlatoani Chimalpopoca.