A Matlazinca city conquered by the Mexicas around 1476, it was used by them as a watchpost for trade routes, a military garrison, and a protective outpost for an important aqueduct leading to Tenochtitlan. In addition to the training and consecration of elite warriors, it served as a sanctuary for the worship of both war deities and agricultural deities. Its name may have referred to Malinalxóchitl—“where Malinalxóchitl resides,” “where she is worshipped,” which in turn would mean “flower of the grass used to make ropes,” “flower of the black grass”—, goddess of sorcery and ominous divination, sister of Huitzilopochtli as well as Coyolxauhqui.