Tikticotl and Diaz

Tikticotl was the only known female ruler of the Aztecs. Her ascendancy was as rapid as her reign was short. So obscure is her memory in Indian and Spanish lore, her existence is often denied by historians. But live and rule she did about the same time Columbus began his third voyage. How, in 1498, she came to power will never be known, but it is said that sorcery and a close resemblance to Quetzacoatl played a role.

What is known (to those who choose to believe it), is that Tikticotl was bethroned in the newly dedicated temple at Tenochtitlan when a Spanish explorer-scout by the name of Francisco Diaz entered the Aztec capital. He was led to the royal chamber and laughed loudly when he beheld a mere woman in such a position of power. Through an interpreter, Diaz demanded she disclose to him the location of the copper mines. "Copper? Why copper?" Tikticotl wanted to know. Diaz, you see, did not overly aspire. Copper was good enough for him. He could make a fortune selling it to other explorers who used it to clad their hulls. "We have silver and gold, you know." "Not interested" came the reply. "Just show me the mines, bitch."

So, Tikticotl summoned her charge and led Diaz to the mines, and hence, to his doom. For it was to the mine within the legendary City of Gold that he was led, made to supplicate before the golden altar, forced to kneel before the golden image of Quetzacoatl and there he was sacrificed before the gods. His severed head was preserved in wax and asbestos and dipped into molten gold, so that he might aspire to something greater.

What became of Tikticotl is not known. Montezuma II assumed the throne in 1502 and the mention of Tikticotl's name was made punishable by dismemberment. The golden head of Francisco Diaz remained on display in Tenochtitlan for a good many years. It was on the wall of the throne room in 1521, when Hernando de Cortes lay to waste the once mighty Aztec empire. Cortes sent the golden head back to Spain and continued searching (alas, in vain) for the City of Gold. Somehow the head made its way to the Vatican, where it was used for centuries as an ashtray.