John Bierhorst

Nezahualcoyotl Acolmiztli (Classical Nahuatl: Nezahualcoyōtl [nesawalˈkojoːtɬ], ), "Fasting Coyote" (April 28, 1402 – 1472) was tlatoani (king) of the Acolhua altepetl (city-state) of Texcoco from 1431 to his death in 1472, in pre-Columbian Mexico. He is noted for his achievements as a philosopher (tlamatini), warrior, architect and poet, earning him the nickname of "the Poet-King" (Rey Poeta, in Spanish). His difficult younger years following his father's assassination, and his efforts to recon…