The Aztecs were a Pre-Columbian Mesoamerican people who originated as nomadic tribes called the Mexicas. According to prophecy, they traveled until finding an eagle on a cactus as a sign to build their city of Tenochtitlan, which later became Mexico City. Religion played a central role in Aztec society, with temples dedicated to gods and human sacrifice seen as necessary to please the gods and ensure prosperity. At its height, the Aztec Empire spanned Mesoamerica through military conquest but fell after the arrival of the Spanish in 1519 due to war, disease, and alliances with resentful conquered peoples.

1. The AztecsArtwork by: DraganPavlovic, Photo courtesy of: anthr.religion.nielsonpi.com

2. The Aztecs were a Pre-Columbian Mesoamerican people of central Mexico in the 14th, 15th and 16th centuries. They called themselves Mexica. The people of the great Aztec empire began as nomads, the Mexicas. According to prophesy, they were to remain as outcasts as they traveled from Aztlan to the land promised by thieir god Huitzilopochtli. They would know where to start to build thier empire when they saw an eagle sitting atop a cactus eating a snake. Once they saw this, they began to build the city of Tenochtitlan, now Mexico City. It was there were the Mexica flourished and the great empire began.Photo Courtesy of: fullissue.comArtwork by: Vadorzoo

3. Aztec ReligionIn the Aztec society, religion played a major role. Hundreds of temples and religious structures were dedicated to the gods in Tetnochtitlan. Many of the gods and religious beliefs of the Aztecs were adopted from other Mesoamerican peoples, like the Toltecs, in particular. Their religious practice concentrated on complex public ceremonies aimed to communicate with the gods and win their favor. In these ceremonies, Aztec priests directed human sacrifice to a scale nowhere else seen in history. They believed human blood was a god’s proper nourishment . In 1494, it was claimed that as many as 20,000 hearts were torn out over a period of only four days.Photo Courtesy of: www.sbceo.k12.ca.us

4. 1452 Tenochtitlan destroyed by flood. 1452-4 Famine 1375 Acamapichtli becomes first ruler of Aztecs 1250 Aztecs settled near Lake Texcoco. 1428Aztecs joined forces with Texcoco & Tlacopan formed Triple Alliance. Atzcapotzalco conquered. 1100 Aztecs left homeland in search of new home 1350 Causeways built with canals. 1370Tenoch, Aztec Priest-Ruler, died. Aztecs ruled by Tepanecs1440 Moctezuma started rule.1195 Aztecs arrived in Valley of Mexico. 1400Tepanecs were defeated. Aztecs expand and rule whole valley. 1325 Tenochtitlan was founded. First temple built by Aztecs.Photo Courtesy of: 3.bp.blogspot.comSource: library.thinkquest.org

5. Photo courtesy of: news.softpedia.com 1519 Cortez comes to Mexico. Moctezuma II killed. 1486 Ahuizotu became ruler. 1487Great Temple at Tenochtitlan dedicated. Aztecs expanded southward into Mayan territories. 1458 Moctezuma sent armies to conquer lands1521 Tenochtitlan destroyed 1502 Moctezuma II became ruler. Aztec Empire at height. 1469 Moctezuma I died. 1522Tenochtitlan rebuilt, named Mexico City. Declared capital of Spanish colony of New Spain 1520 Cuitlahuac elected ruler. 1487Great Temple at Tenochtitlan dedicated. Aztecs expanded southward into Mayan territories. library.thinkquest.org

6. Photo Courtesy of www.bookpalace.comSoon Tenochtitlan became on the largest cities in the world. With this the power of the Mexicas grew along with their millitary forces. The power they wielded, along with their millitaryprowes, the Aztecs began conquering people of the surrounding areas.The Aztecs were stong and organized, but they relied heavily upon fear to rule. In the year 1519, the Spanish arrived and a great clash of cultures arised. Even though there had been many problems present before the arival of the Europeans, this resulted in the final blow and with the help of war, disease and the help of the resented conquered tribes, one of the worlds greatest empires was virtually wiped outBibliographyThe Ancient Aztecs, library.thinkquest.orgThe Aztecs Control Central Mexico, World History(textbook)Aztec Civilization, crystalinks.com