Tlaxcalans

Tlaxcalans
Wolfgang Sauber · CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
Group	Tlaxcalans
Regions	Mexico, Tlaxcala, Puebla
Languages	Nahuatl, Spanish
Related	Aztecs, Mayans, Olmec

Tlaxcalans were an indigenous people of Mesoamerica, specifically inhabiting the region of Tlaxcala, Mexico, and surrounding areas, including Puebla. They were a Nahua people, closely related to the Aztecs, with whom they shared a common Nahuatl language and cultural heritage, but also had distinct differences, such as their own system of Tlaxcalan government. The Tlaxcalans were known for their skilled agriculture, particularly in the cultivation of maize, beans, and squash, as well as their expertise in textiles, pottery, and metallurgy, similar to the Mayans and Olmec. They were also a major power in the region, often at odds with the Aztec Empire, and played a significant role in the Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire, alongside Hernán Cortés and the Spanish Empire.

Introduction

The Tlaxcalans were a complex and sophisticated society, with a rich cultural heritage, as evident in their Tlaxcalan calendar and Tlaxcalan mythology. They were organized into a system of city-states, each with its own ruler, similar to the Greek city-states and the Italian city-states. The Tlaxcalans were skilled traders, exchanging goods such as cacao, turquoise, and feathers with other Mesoamerican cultures, including the Mixtecs and the Zapotec. They were also known for their expertise in architecture, as seen in the construction of their capital city, Tlaxcala de Xicohténcatl, which was similar to the Aztec capital of Tenochtitlán and the Mayan city of Tikal. The Tlaxcalans had a strong tradition of art and craftsmanship, as evident in their pottery, weaving, and metalwork, similar to the Inca Empire and the Mycenaean civilization.

History

The history of the Tlaxcalans dates back to the Classic period of Mesoamerica, around 200 AD, when they first established themselves as a distinct culture, influenced by the Teotihuacan and Toltec civilizations. They were a major power in the region, often at odds with the Aztec Empire, which they resisted fiercely, alongside the Tarascans and the Huastec. The Tlaxcalans were also influenced by the Mayans and the Olmec, with whom they shared cultural and trade ties, including the Mayan trade network and the Olmec trade network. In the 15th century, the Tlaxcalans formed an alliance with the Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés, which would ultimately lead to the downfall of the Aztec Empire, and the rise of the Spanish Empire in Mesoamerica, as seen in the Battle of Tenochtitlán and the Siege of Coyoacán. The Tlaxcalans played a significant role in the Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire, providing crucial military support and guidance to the Spanish conquistadors, including Gonzalo de Sandoval and Pedro de Alvarado.

Culture

The Tlaxcalans had a rich and vibrant culture, with a strong emphasis on agriculture, trade, and craftsmanship, similar to the Inca Empire and the Mycenaean civilization. They were skilled farmers, cultivating crops such as maize, beans, and squash, using techniques such as irrigation and terracing, similar to the Aztecs and the Mayans. The Tlaxcalans were also known for their expertise in textiles, pottery, and metallurgy, producing beautiful and intricate works of art, such as the Tlaxcalan pottery and the Tlaxcalan metalwork. They had a strong tradition of music and dance, with a variety of instruments and costumes, similar to the Aztec music and the Mayan dance. The Tlaxcalans were also skilled healers, using a variety of herbs and medicines to treat illnesses, similar to the Aztec medicine and the Mayan medicine.

Role in the Spanish Conquest

The Tlaxcalans played a crucial role in the Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire, providing military support and guidance to the Spanish conquistadors, including Hernán Cortés and Gonzalo de Sandoval. They were instrumental in the Battle of Tenochtitlán, which led to the fall of the Aztec capital and the eventual collapse of the Aztec Empire, as seen in the Siege of Coyoacán and the Battle of Otumba. The Tlaxcalans also provided the Spanish with valuable intelligence and logistical support, helping them to navigate the complex Mesoamerican landscape and to identify potential allies and enemies, such as the Tarascans and the Huastec. In return, the Spanish provided the Tlaxcalans with military protection and economic benefits, helping them to consolidate their power and to expand their territory, as seen in the Treaty of Tlaxcala and the Tlaxcalan-Spanish alliance.

Legacy

The legacy of the Tlaxcalans can be seen in the modern-day state of Tlaxcala, Mexico, which is named after them, and in the many archaeological sites and museums that preserve their history and culture, such as the Tlaxcala Archaeological Site and the National Museum of Anthropology. The Tlaxcalans also had a significant impact on the development of Mesoamerican culture, influencing the Aztecs, Mayans, and other neighboring cultures, such as the Mixtecs and the Zapotec. Their expertise in agriculture, trade, and craftsmanship helped to shape the region's economy and society, and their alliance with the Spanish had a profound impact on the course of Mesoamerican history, as seen in the Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire and the rise of the Spanish Empire in Mesoamerica. Today, the Tlaxcalans are remembered as a proud and resilient people, who played a significant role in shaping the history and culture of Mesoamerica, alongside other notable figures, such as Moctezuma II and Cuauhtémoc. Category:Indigenous peoples of Mexico