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Luis de Santa María Nanacacipactzin

1505 – 1563

Ruler of Tenochtitlan

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About Luis de Santa María Nanacacipactzin

Lived 1505 – 1563 (aged 57–58). Luis de Santa María Nanacacipactzin was a Mexican governor.

Don Luis de Santa María Nanacacipactzin, also known as Cipac, was the last tlatoani ("king") of the Nahua altepetl of Tenochtitlan, as well as its governor (gobernador) under the colonial Spanish system of government. The previous ruler Cristóbal de Guzmán Cecetzin having died in 1562, Nanacacipactzin was installed on September 30, 1563, and ruled until his death on December 27, 1565.

With Nanacacipactzin's death, the rule of Tenochtitlan by dynastic tlatoque (plural of tlatoani) came to an end.

His Nahuatl name, Nanacacipactli (or Nanacacipactzin in the honorific form), literally means "mushroom alligator". It appears his birth name was simply Cipactli "alligator", and the "mushroom" element was added as a nickname, possibly due to a perception that he was ineffective in resisting Spanish tribute demands.

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Important facts

Born
1505, Tenochtitlan
Birth century
Occupation
Nationality
Positions held
Tlatoani of Tenochtitlán
Also known as
Luis de Santa Maria Nanacacipactzin

People in Luis de Santa María Nanacacipactzin's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Luis de Santa María Nanacacipactzin's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Luis de Santa María Nanacacipactzin?

Ruler of Tenochtitlan

When was Luis de Santa María Nanacacipactzin born?

Luis de Santa María Nanacacipactzin was born in 1505 in Tenochtitlan.

When did Luis de Santa María Nanacacipactzin die?

Luis de Santa María Nanacacipactzin died on 30 September 1563.

What was Luis de Santa María Nanacacipactzin's occupation?

Luis de Santa María Nanacacipactzin was a governor.

What nationality was Luis de Santa María Nanacacipactzin?

Luis de Santa María Nanacacipactzin was Mexican.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Luis de Santa María Nanacacipactzin

· Wikidata: Q3840428

· DBpedia: Luis de Santa María Nanacacipactzin

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Luis de Santa María Nanacacipactzin. https://biography.guide/luis-de-santa-maria-nanacacipactzin/

MLA: "Luis de Santa María Nanacacipactzin." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/luis-de-santa-maria-nanacacipactzin/.

Chicago: "Luis de Santa María Nanacacipactzin." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/luis-de-santa-maria-nanacacipactzin/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

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