Aztec Timeline

Foundation of the Empire

Jan 1, 600

6th century First Nahuatl speaking peoples begin to settle in Mexico

Aztec Timeline

Period: Mar 25, 600 to Mar 25, 1525

Video Aztec History The dates of the event may not accurate but the years are verificated.

Foundation of the Empire

Period: Jan 22, 1110 to Dec 31, 1325

Video Aztec History The dates of the event may not accurate but the years are verificated.

1110- Move Places

Mar 24, 1110

The Mexica travel from their northern homeland of Aztlan. These early dates, and the existence and location of Aztlan are hotly debated.

1110-1248

Mar 24, 1185

The Mexica roam the area which is now Mexico, trying to find a location in which to settle

Lake Texcoco

Mar 24, 1248

Mexica settle near Lake Texcoco, in Chapultepec, though they are soon expelled by the Tepanecs Tepanec

Settlement

Mar 24, 1299

Mexica settle in Tizapan, by permission of the Culhuacan ruler Cocoxtli.

Tenochtitlán

Mar 24, 1325

Tenochtitlán is settled by the Mexica

Building an Empire

Mar 25, 1350

Building of causeways with canals

Building an Empire

Period: Mar 25, 1350 to Mar 25, 1454

Death of Tenoch, religious ruler of the Mexica

Mar 25, 1370

1376-1395 The first king* of Tenochtitlán, Acamapichitli, rules

Mar 25, 1376

Original construction of Templo Mayor beings in Tenochtitlán

Mar 25, 1390

1395-1417 The second king of Tenochtitlán, Huitzilihuitzli, rules. An alliance with the Tepaneca is created.

Mar 25, 1395

1417-1427 The third king, Chimalpopoca, has his relatively short reign. He is assasinated by the Tepaneca.

Mar 25, 1417

1427-1430 War with the Tepaneca. Up to this point the Tepaneca had been dominant in central Mexico, ruling from Azcapotzalco and taking tribute from the Mexica.

Mar 25, 1427

1430 Azcapotzalco conquered

Mar 25, 1430

Establishment

Mar 25, 1431

Establishment of the Triple Alliance between the Mexica, the Acolhua in the city Texcoco and the Tepaneca of Tlacopan. These cities became the foundation of the empire.

1427-1440 Tenochtitlán's fourth king, Itzcoatl, reigns

Mar 25, 1440

Height of the Empire

Period: Mar 25, 1440 to Mar 25, 1510

Tenochtitlán severely damaged by flooding

Mar 25, 1452

1452-1454 Famine in Tenochtitlán

Mar 25, 1454

1440-1469 Reign of the fifth king, Moctezuma I, who is also referred to as Montezuma I

Mar 25, 1469

1469-1481 Tenochtitlán's sixth king, Azayactl, reigns

Mar 25, 1481

1481-1486 Reign of Tizoc, the seventh king of Tenochtitlán

Mar 25, 1486

1486-1502 Rule of Ahuitzotl, eighth king of the city

Jun 25, 1486

Dedication of Great Temple (Templo Mayor) at Tenochtitlán.

Mar 25, 1487

This was the 6th version of the temple.

Christopher Columbus's landing at Santa Domingo

Mar 25, 1492

Reign of Moctezuma II, or Montezuma II, most famous of the Aztec kings and ninth king of Tenochtitlán

Mar 25, 1502

Severe floods in Tenochtitlán

Mar 25, 1510

The appearance of a comet, believed to signify impending doom

Mar 25, 1517

The Fall of the Empire

Period: Mar 25, 1517 to Mar 25, 1525

Landing of Hernan Cortes on the Yucatan penninsula

Mar 4, 1519

Cortes arrives in Tenochtitlán

Nov 8, 1519

La Noche Triste - The Sad Night

Mar 25, 1520

Cortes allies with Tlaxcala, enemies of the Aztec, assault on the empire begins. On the 1st of July, the Spanish forces were driven back. The Spanish and their native allies suffered heavy losses

Rule of Cuitahuac, tenth king of Tenochtitlán

Mar 25, 1520

Last king of the city.

Sep 25, 1520

Cuitahuac dies from the first smallpox epidemic to hit the empire. Rule of Cuauhetemoc, eleventh and last king of the city.

Fall of Tenochtitlán.

Aug 13, 1521

Cuauhetemoc surrenders to Cortes, destruction of the city

Rebuilding of the city by the Spanish as Mexico City, capital of New Spain

Mar 25, 1522

Cuauhetemoc is hung by the Spaniards

Mar 25, 1525