Mariano Matamoros
Encyclopedia
Mariano Matamoros y Guridi (August 14, 1770 – February 3, 1814) was a Mexican
Roman Catholic priest and revolutionary rebel soldier of the Mexican War of Independence
, who fought for independence against Spain
in the early 19th century.
Matamoros was born in Mexico City
in 1770, where he studied art
and theology
during his youth. He was ordained as a Roman Catholic priest in 1796 and served in several churches around the city. During this time, he started to sympathize with rebellious issues and, for this reason, he was jailed by the Spanish colonial authorities shortly after the war started. He managed to escape from prison and eventually joined the revolutionary army of José María Morelos
in 1811.
During the Siege of Cuautla in 1812, Morelos recognized Matamoro's ability in the battlefield and promoted him to the rank of lieutenant general, effectively becoming second on command of the army. Once the siege was lifted, the campaign continued in Oaxaca
and Chiapas
, where he achieved several victories over the Spanish army.
On December 23, 1813, Matamoros was captured during the Battle of Valladolid near Valladolid (present day Morelia
, Michoacán
). Allegedly Morelos offered 200 Spanish prisoners in exchange for Matamoros, but was turned down by the Spanish colonial authorities. Matamoros was removed from the priesthood and tried for treason
. He was executed by firing squad in Valladolid on February 3, 1814.
In 1823, Matamoros was honored as "Benemérito de la Patria". His remains now rest in the Independence Column
of Mexico City.
of Mexico. In his honour, the Cuernavaca International Airport in Cuernavaca, Morelos, is named after him, as well as the cities of Izúcar de Matamoros, Puebla, and Matamoros, Tamaulipas
.
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
Roman Catholic priest and revolutionary rebel soldier of the Mexican War of Independence
Mexican War of Independence
The Mexican War of Independence was an armed conflict between the people of Mexico and the Spanish colonial authorities which started on 16 September 1810. The movement, which became known as the Mexican War of Independence, was led by Mexican-born Spaniards, Mestizos and Amerindians who sought...
, who fought for independence against Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
in the early 19th century.
Matamoros was born in Mexico City
Mexico City
Mexico City is the Federal District , capital of Mexico and seat of the federal powers of the Mexican Union. It is a federal entity within Mexico which is not part of any one of the 31 Mexican states but belongs to the federation as a whole...
in 1770, where he studied art
Art
Art is the product or process of deliberately arranging items in a way that influences and affects one or more of the senses, emotions, and intellect....
and theology
Theology
Theology is the systematic and rational study of religion and its influences and of the nature of religious truths, or the learned profession acquired by completing specialized training in religious studies, usually at a university or school of divinity or seminary.-Definition:Augustine of Hippo...
during his youth. He was ordained as a Roman Catholic priest in 1796 and served in several churches around the city. During this time, he started to sympathize with rebellious issues and, for this reason, he was jailed by the Spanish colonial authorities shortly after the war started. He managed to escape from prison and eventually joined the revolutionary army of José María Morelos
José María Morelos
José María Teclo Morelos y Pavón was a Mexican Roman Catholic priest and revolutionary rebel leader who led the Mexican War of Independence movement, assuming its leadership after the execution of Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla in 1811...
in 1811.
During the Siege of Cuautla in 1812, Morelos recognized Matamoro's ability in the battlefield and promoted him to the rank of lieutenant general, effectively becoming second on command of the army. Once the siege was lifted, the campaign continued in Oaxaca
Oaxaca
Oaxaca , , officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Oaxaca is one of the 31 states which, along with the Federal District, comprise the 32 federative entities of Mexico. It is divided into 571 municipalities; of which 418 are governed by the system of customs and traditions...
and Chiapas
Chiapas
Chiapas officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Chiapas is one of the 31 states that, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is divided in 118 municipalities and its capital city is Tuxtla Gutierrez. Other important cites in Chiapas include San Cristóbal de las...
, where he achieved several victories over the Spanish army.
On December 23, 1813, Matamoros was captured during the Battle of Valladolid near Valladolid (present day Morelia
Morelia
Morelia is a city and municipality in the north central part of the state of Michoacán in central Mexico. The city is in the Guayangareo Valley and is the capital of the state. The main pre-Hispanic cultures here were the P'urhépecha and the Matlatzinca, but no major cities were founded in the...
, Michoacán
Michoacán
Michoacán officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Michoacán de Ocampo is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is divided in 113 municipalities and its capital city is Morelia...
). Allegedly Morelos offered 200 Spanish prisoners in exchange for Matamoros, but was turned down by the Spanish colonial authorities. Matamoros was removed from the priesthood and tried for treason
Treason
In law, treason is the crime that covers some of the more extreme acts against one's sovereign or nation. Historically, treason also covered the murder of specific social superiors, such as the murder of a husband by his wife. Treason against the king was known as high treason and treason against a...
. He was executed by firing squad in Valladolid on February 3, 1814.
In 1823, Matamoros was honored as "Benemérito de la Patria". His remains now rest in the Independence Column
El Ángel
El Ángel de la Independencia , most commonly known by theshortened name El Ángel and officially known as Columna de la Independencia, is a victory column located on a roundabout over Paseo de la Reforma in downtown Mexico City.El Ángel was built to commemorate the centennial of the beginning of...
of Mexico City.
Legacy
Matamoros is a national heroHero
A hero , in Greek mythology and folklore, was originally a demigod, their cult being one of the most distinctive features of ancient Greek religion...
of Mexico. In his honour, the Cuernavaca International Airport in Cuernavaca, Morelos, is named after him, as well as the cities of Izúcar de Matamoros, Puebla, and Matamoros, Tamaulipas
Matamoros, Tamaulipas
Matamoros, officially known as Heroica Matamoros, is a city in the northeastern part of Tamaulipas, in the country of Mexico. It is located on the southern bank of the Rio Grande, directly across the border from Brownsville, Texas, in the United States. Matamoros is the second largest and second...
.