The Aztecs originated in Aztlan in northern Mexico around 1100 and wandered for over 200 years before settling in Tenochtitlan in 1325. They built canals and causeways around the city and developed a great civilization through conquest. Montezuma I expanded the Aztec Empire during his rule from 1440 to 1469. The Spanish conquistador Hernan Cortes arrived in 1519 and took Montezuma II prisoner, driving the Aztecs from Tenochtitlan. Cortes defeated the Aztecs in 1521 with the help of horses and gunpowder.

1. THE AZTECS

2. THE HISTORY OF THE AZTECS
1100 - The Aztecs leave their homeland of Aztlan in northern Mexico and
begin their journey to the south. Over the next 225 years the Aztecs will move
many times until they finally settle down at the city of Tenochtitlán in the
centre of Mexico. The city was surrounded by a lake

3. 1325 - The city of Tenochtitlán is founded. It will become the capital of the Aztec
Empire. The location is picked by the priests because it is where they see the
foretold sign of an eagle holding a snake while standing on a cactus. The Mexican
flag shows that scene

4. The city of Tenochtitlán
1350 - The Aztecs begin to build causeways and canals around Tenochtitlán.
They developed a great civilization by conquering other peoples and they built
huge pyramids

5. 1440 - Montezuma I becomes the fifth leader of
the Aztecs. His rule will mark the height of the
Aztec Empire.
1440 to 1469 - Montezuma I rules and greatly
expands the empire.

6. 1487 - The Templo Mayor (Great Temple of Tenochtitlan)
is finished. It is dedicated to the gods with thousands of
human sacrifices.

7. 1502 - Montezuma II becomes ruler of the Aztec
Empire. He is the ninth of the Aztec kings.
1517 - The Aztec priests mark the sighting of a
comet in the night sky. They believe the comet
was a sign of impending doom.
1519 - Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés
arrives in Tenochtitlán. The Aztecs treat him as
an honored guest, but Cortés takes Montezuma
II prisoner. Cortés is driven from the city, but
Montezuma II is killed.

8. 1521 - After two years planning the attack, Cortés defeats the Aztecs
and takes over the city of Tenochtitlán. The use of horses and
gunpowder was very important for the Spanish victory
1522 - The Spanish begin to rebuild the city of Tenochtitlán. It will be
called Mexico City and will be the capital of New Spain.

9. DAILY LIFE OF THE AZTECS

10. THE RICH PEOPLE

11. The rich lived in homes built of sun-dried brick and
sometimes stone. The homes had a coating of white
wash to make them sparkle in the sun. Homes had a
separate place for steam baths. Water was poured over
hot stones to generate steam. Bathing was an important
part of daily life.

12. Their clothes were colorfully embroidered
and decorated with symbols. They carried
fans made of feathers. Feathers were a
sign of status.

13. THE POOR PEOPLE

14. The poor people were mostly farmers. They lived
in huts with thatched roofs. They had little
furniture. They wove mats for the floor and
baskets to hold their belongings. They also had
blankets. They had pots for cooking. Each home
had a garden where the poor people could grow
food for themselves. Their clothes were simple
and NEVER decorated with feathers. It was
against the law for a commoner to carry anything
made of or decorated with feathers. If they broke
this law, they were killed.

15. AZTEC FOOD
Like the food common to modern day
Mexico, Aztec food tended to be both
rich and spicy. In fact, many of the
ancient Aztec foods were flavored with
chili peppers and contained spicy sauces.
In addition, the main food of the Aztecs
was the tlaxcalli, which was a corn-meal
pancake. This primary Aztec food was
commonly wrapped around meat and
vegetables in order to make tacos.

16. AZTEC CHOCOLATE
The Aztecs had a passion for chocolate.
In fact, one of the most sought after Aztec
foods was actually a drink made of
chocolate. Though the chocolate drink
was a favorite treat of the Aztecs, only the
rich people were able to drink it often.