The Aztec Emperor Was Known as the Huey Tlatoani or the Great Speaker

The 'huey tlatoani,' or 'Great Speaker' was the ruler of the Aztec capital Tenochtitlan and over all the other altepetls in the Aztec Empire. The huey tlatoani was an important figure in Aztec history and the Aztec Empire's expansion. They were in charge of the entire Aztec Empire. For example, the huey tlatoani controlled the Aztec Empire's tribute system, military operations, and any wars fought, as well as the empire's expansion into new territories. Because the huey tlatoani was preoccupied with the concerns of the empire as a whole, the cihuacoatl in Tenochtitlan was in charge of the city's administration. Today, historians refer to the huey tlatoani as Emperors, since they oversaw all aspects of the far-reaching Aztec Empire.

While Huey Tlatoani was the supreme authority and exterior leader, there was also an inside ruler known as Cihuacoatl ("female twin"), whose major responsibility was to oversee Tenochtitlan. The Huey Tlatoani and the Cihuacoatl were always close relatives. These were not priestly ranks, although they did undertake essential ritual duties. The Aztec Empire also maintained a four-man military and advisory council that aided the emperor in making decisions. The Council's four members also served as military generals. The emperor could only be chosen from this Council at the time of succession. This was done to keep the nobility's ambitions in check.