What was the name of the Texcoco ruler who co-founded the Triple Alliance?

Nezahualcoyotl was the ruler of Texcoco who co-founded the Aztec Triple Alliance. He joined Itzcoatl of Tenochtitlan and Totoquihuaztli of Tlacopan in defeating the Tepanec Empire and its ruler Maxtla during the late 1420s.

Nezahualcoyotl had been forced into exile after Tepanec warriors killed his father, Ixtlilxochitl I. With military and political support from Tenochtitlan, he reclaimed Texcoco after the defeat of Azcapotzalco. The alliance created a powerful three-state political system that later became known as the Aztec Empire.

Nezahualcoyotl ruled Texcoco from 1431 to 1472 and became known as the “Poet-King.” He was associated with poetry, law, architecture, engineering, and hydraulic works around Lake Texcoco. A common mix-up is confusing him with Nezahualpilli, his son and successor, or with Ixtlilxochitl, his father and predecessor.