Maxtla was a Tepanec ruler (tlatoani) of Azcapotzalco from 1426 to his death in 1428. He succeeded his father Tezozomoc, possibly through assassination of his elder brother Tayauh. His reign saw a rapid decline in the fortunes of Azcapotzalco. Formerly friendly relations with the Mexica of Tenochtitlan were replaced by a period of political struggle resulting in the assassination of Chimalpopoca, the Aztec tlatoani and Tezozomoc's grandson in 1426.
When Maxtla laid siege to Tenochtitlan in 1428, Chimalpopoca's successor, Itzcoatl, repelled his forces with the aid of an alliance of city states, including Texcoco under Nezahualcoyotl and many former Tepanec allies, notably Tlacopan. These allied forces sacked Azcapotzalco and Maxtla was personally sacrificed by Nezahualcoyotl. The victorious powers formalized their relationship in the Triple Alliance of Tenochtitlan, Texcoco and Tlacopan, which would become the basis of the Aztec Empire.