The Aztecs lived in the Valley of Mexico, with their capital city of Tenochtitlan built on an island in Lake Texcoco and connected to the mainland by causeways. They built an empire through conquest and required conquered peoples to pay tribute. The Aztecs practiced human sacrifice on massive temples and pyramids dedicated to their gods like Huitzilopochtli. However, the Spanish conquistador Hernan Cortes conquered Tenochtitlan in 1521, defeating the Aztecs and taking control of their land and gold.

2. Major Pre-Columbian Civilizations Aztecs Mayas Incas

3. 1200 CE – 1521 CE

4. Aztecs

9. Legend of Tenochtitlan

12. Aztec View of Tenochtitlan

13. Tenochtitlan: The “Venice” of the Americas

15. Ruins of the City Center, Tenochtitlan

16. Wall of Skulls, Tenochtitlan

17. The Aztecs Were Fierce Warriors

21. Heart Sacrifice on an Aztec Temple Pyramid

23. Aztecs Sacrifice Neighboring Tribes to the Sun God

25. Aztec Chinampa or Floating Garden: 15ft. to 30ft. wide

26. Tenochtitlan - Chinampas

27. Aztec Math Aztec Writing

28. Aztec Sun Stone -- Calendar

30. Aztec Gold