The Mexica people wandered central Mexico for many years before founding the city of Tenochtitlan in 1325. They established the Triple Alliance with nearby city-states in 1428 and came to dominate the region militarily and politically. By the time of the Spanish conquest led by Hernan Cortes in the 1520s, the alliance had developed into the powerful Aztec Empire based in Tenochtitlan. The empire was shaped by leaders like Tlacaelel who instituted religious and cultural reforms emphasizing human sacrifice to gods like Huitzilopochtli.

1. The Rise of the Aztec Obi Obermeyer

2. During this period of wandering the Mexica (another name they used for themselves, after the great tribal leader Mecitli) came across the ruins of the Teotihuacan empire. Out of the fall of this empire in the 7th century came the Toltecs, a group formed from the northern barbarians who conquered Teotihuacan and some of it’s survivors, led by the great chieftain Mixcoatl. And as with it’s predecessor the Toltecs were not able to sustain what they had created.

3. In 1253 the Mexica entered this violent and vibrant world of warring city-states. Not having any land of their own and not having the military might to take it from others the Mexica offered themselves as mercenaries to the other lake city-states. After suffering a great attack directed against because of their success in this endeavor the Mexica were captured and eventually ended up in the marsh-land of Lake Texcoco where they founded Tenochtitlan in 1325.

4. While the Mexica wandered they accepted the god Huitzilopochtli as their most significant diety for reasons unknown. After the founding of Tenochtitlan the Mexica began to isolate themselves as much as possible from the intrigue of the lake. As time passed and the Mexica refined their culture and agriculture and a time of fortune came upon them Huitzilopochtli became the symbol and cause of Mexica greatness.

5. Until 1427 the Mexica were a tributary of Azcapotzalco, the most powerful regional culture since the Toltecs. When they had the leader of the Mexica, Chimalpopoca assassinated they aliied themselves with the Texcoco. This created the Triple Alliance, resulting in the defeat of Azcapotzalco in 1428.

6. By the time Cortes arrived the Triple Alliance was shaped into what we know as the Aztec empire. The half-brother Tlacaelel and Montezuma I were instrumental in reforming the alliance. When Montezuma I died, even though he had offered the throne to Tlacaelel, Tlacaelel deemed it better to anoint one of Montezuma’s son Axayacatl. Tlacaelel knew though, that in reality he was king. It was under the rule of Tlacaelel that the records telling the tale of the Aztec’s origin were burned, leaving no memory of their modest rise to power instead leaving only room for the greatness of their Toltec blood and Huitzilopochtli their claims to greatness.

7. It was under this new religious and cultural reform that the mass sacrifices turned full swing. It is recorded that when Huitzilopochtli’s new temple was completed some 80,000 people were sacrificed to his greatness, and to keep the sun moving. Montezuma II the ill-fated leader during the Spanish conquest, was crowned in 1503.