Moctezuma I was the fifth Aztec emperor who reigned during a period of expansion and consolidation of the Aztec Empire. During his rule, Tenochtitlan rose to become the dominant partner in the Aztec triple alliance. He defeated rivals, extended Aztec territory into surrounding areas, and centralized power. However, his empire faced natural disasters like floods and famines, which led to increased human sacrifice to please the gods.

1. Moctezuma
Moctezuma I (c. 1398–1469), also known as Motecuhzoma, Huehuemotecuhzoma or Montezuma I
was the fifth Aztec emperor - king of Tenochtitlan. During his reign the Aztec Empire was
consolidated, major expansion was undertaken and Tenochtitlan started becoming the dominant
partner of the Aztec triple alliance.
Moctezuma was the son of emperor Huitzilihuitl and queen Miahuaxihuitl. He was a brother of
Chimalpopoca, Tlacaelel I and Huehue Zaca. Moctezuma executed Zaca for singing and beating his
drum loudly.
According to legend, Miahuaxihuitl miraculously became pregnant with Moctezuma after
swallowing a jewel. This may be the origin of the name Ilhuicamina. Moctezuma later married to
Chichimecacihuatzin I , his mother's niece.
After defeating the King of Tlatelolco, which had
attempted to usurp the Aztec throne, submit to Atonal,
Lord of Coixtlahuaca, and razing the cities of Chalco
and Tepeaca, he extended his possessions into areas,
Guerrero, Hidalgo, Puebla and Oaxaca, and came to
dominate the plateau of Anahuac.
These victories enabled him to consolidate
absolute power, of theocratic character,
against the always influential military and
priestly nobility. However, it could not
prevent a series of calamities, natural, such as
floods and famines, asolaran his empire,
which resulted in the proliferation of human
sacrifice to appease the anger of the gods.