They created civilization that existed between c. 1428 and 1521 AD. Aztec tribe came in XIIIth c. from the north and settled on the area of today's central Mexico. They founded a city-country - Tenochtitlan that was primary dependent on the neighbors. In 1428 it became independent and together with 2 other city-countries: Texcoco and Tlacopan started military expansion, which gave rise to Aztec Empire. In XVth c. it consisted of more than 500 city-countries that differ in language, culture. Between 1519 and 1520 by a coincidence without any fights the authority was taken over by Spaniards under H. Cortes. The regular conquest started later after Aztec uprising in Tenochtitlan. Empire became disrupted. It's very end was conquest of Tenochtitlan and apprehension of Cuauhtemoc - the last ruler of Aztec Empire.

see map of Aztec Empire

Aztec civilization was created in a great part by assimilating inheritance of earlier civilizations, mainly Toltecan (see Toltec). What is characteristic is a glorification of war. It appeared in Aztec religion - bloody sacrifice of people, mythology, politically-social relations - military career as a base of social rise and art - omnipresent theme of death. Also military terror was certainly important element uniting conquered areas.

 
This file was last modified on Wednesday, 22-Sep-2010 12:37:56 PDT