The Aztec Civilisation

Aztec Civilisation (1325-1521)

The Aztec Empire was rooted in a tripartite alliance between the city-states of Tenochtitlán, Texcoco, and Tlacopan.
At its height in the early 16th century, it was the most dominant force in the region of present-day Mexico.
Its capital, Tenochtitlán, was a beautifully designed, bustling city built on Lake Texcoco.

The Aztecs were highly agricultural and traded extensively, with a complex social hierarchy and a tradition of military conquest.
Their language, Nahuatl, remains spoken by some groups in Mexico today.
The Aztecs practiced human sacrifice as part of their religious rituals, a practice that shocked and horrified the Europeans. This created a negative image of savage and uncivilised people which has been often used to validate their conquest and subjugation.

The arrival of the Spanish, led by Hernán Cortés in 1519, marked the beginning of the end for the Aztec Empire.
A combination of Spanish military technology, alliances with disgruntled native tribes, introduction of diseases like smallpox, and other factors led to the fall of the Empire in 1521.
The Aztec capital of Tenochtitlán was razed, and on its ruins, the Spanish built Mexico City, the capital of New Spain.

Despite its demise, the Aztec civilisation left a lasting impact on Mexico and the world.
Its historical glyphs, temples, and the ruins of Tenochtitlán reveal a lot about Aztec history, traditions, and culture.
The Aztec’s influence can be seen in many aspects of contemporary Mexican culture, such as food, language, and art.
The fall of the Aztec Empire symbolises the devastating impact of colonial conquest on indigenous cultures and societies.
Like Columbus, the image of Cortés is controversial, seen as a hero by some for spreading Christianity and civilisation, and as a symbol of oppression and destruction by others.