Alliance.' This political form was very common in Mesoamerica, where alliances of city-states were ever fluctuating. However, over time, Tenochtitlan assumed paramount authority in the alliance, and although each partner city shared spoils of war and rights to regular tribute from the provinces and were governed by their own Huetlatoani, Tenochtitlan became the largest, most powerful, and most influential of the three cities. It was the de facto and acknowledged center of empire. Though the Aztecs did not describe them this way, there were essentially two types of provinces: Tributary and Strategic. Strategic provinces were essentially subordinate client states which provided tribute or aid to the Aztec state under "mutual consent." Tributary provinces, on the other hand, provided regular tribute to the empire; obligations on the part of Tributary provinces were mandatory rather than consensual. List of rulers Mythological nature rulers These are Aztec gods and goddesses, who were also part of the Thirteen Heavens, as well as the Aztec Empire. Gods Centeotl, god of maize associated with the Tianquiztli (goddesses of the Pleiades). Centeotl's name is also spelt as Cinteotl and was like a goddess. Chalchiuhtotolin, the god of cleanse and contamination, absolve human of guilt, and overcoming god of fate. Xochipilli, god of flowers, pleasure, feasting, frivolity and artistic creativity. Huehuecoyotl, god of old-age, origin, and deception. He is also the patron of wisdom, followed by his tricks and foolings. His name is similar to the god of happiness, Ueuecoyotl. Huitzilopochtli, god of will and the war, patron god of force, ruler of the South. Itztlacoliuhqui-Ixquimilli, god of frost, ice, cold, winter, sin, punishment and human misery. He is also the god of blindfolded justice. Ometecuhtli, god of duality and substance. Itztli, god of stone who is a variant of Tezcatlipoca. Mictlantecuhtli, god of the Underworld (Mictlan). He is extremely skeleton with bonus horror bits; particularly his exposed liver which dangles cheekily from his chest cavity. Patecatl, god of healing and patron god of doctors and peyote. He is the Centzontotochtin's father. Piltzintecuhtli, god of the visions and the sun. In Aztec mythology Piltzintecuhtli is associated with Mercury and also healing. Quetzalcoatl, god of life, the light and wisdom, lord of the winds and the day, ruler of the West. Tecciztecatl, god of the moon. Tecciztecatl is Tlaloc and Chalchiuhtlicue's son. Tepeyollotl, god of the animals, darkened caves, echoes and earthquakes. Tepeyollotl is a variant of Tezcatlipoca and