The Aztecs were inhabitants of Mexico from 1345-1521 CE who built a powerful empire through farming, trade, and architecture. Their leader was Montezuma II and they spoke Nahuatl. Their culture centered around religion and gods like Huitzilopochtil. They believed the afterlife depended on how one died. The Aztecs had a strong economy based on agriculture and trade at markets. They were also skilled in medicine, poetry, sculpture, and engineering before being conquered by the Spanish in the 16th century.