Aztec Empire

By camren.horn
  • Jan 1, 1200

    Aztecs arrived

    Aztecs arrived
    Aztecs arrived in the valley of Mexico. It was home to a number of small city-states that had survived the collapse of Toltec rule. At the time they were poor nomadic people.
  • Jan 1, 1352

    Tenochtetlan

    Tenochtetlan
    The Aztecs founded their city, Tenochtetlan. It was an island in the Texacoco Lake. They saw an eagle sitting on a cactus and it dropped a snake and that marked where they would build.
  • Jan 1, 1428

    They joined two cities

    They joined two cities
    They joined two other city-states Texcoco and Tlacopanto form a triple alliance. This alliance became the leading power in the Valley of Mexico. They soon gained control over neighboring regions.
  • Jan 1, 1500

    Controlling Mesoamerica

    Controlling Mesoamerica
    They controlled a vast Mesoamerican empire, which stretched from Mexico to the Pacific and Atlantic coasts and south into Oaxaca
  • Jan 1, 1500

    Ordinary Urban Center

    Ordinary Urban Center
    Tenochtetlan had become a ordinary urban center. It had an estimated population of 200,000 people. It was larger than any other European capital at it's time.
  • Jan 1, 1500

    Building Roads

    Building Roads
    They had to figure out how to connect the mainland to the island. Aztec engineers built three raised roads called causeways over the water and marshland. The other cities ringed the lake, creating a dense concentration of people in the Valley of Mexico.
  • Jan 1, 1500

    A divided empire

    A divided empire
    The empire was divided into 38 provinces. The estimated population was between 5 and 15 million people. The Aztecs gained power by conquering many people.
  • Jan 1, 1500

    Nobles Rule Aztec Society

    Nobles Rule Aztec Society
    Many nobles owned vast estates, which they ruled like lords. They lived a life of great luxury and wealth. The middle class consisted of merchants, artisans, soldiers, and farmers who owned their own land. Also the lowest class was made up of slaves.
  • Jan 1, 1500

    Trade

    Trade
    The Aztecs controlled an extensive trade network. It brought many products and goods from faraway regions to their capital. The economic heart of the city was the huge market of Tlatelolco.
  • Jan 1, 1502

    New Leader

    New Leader
    The Aztecs gained a new ruler, Montezuma II, was crowned emperor.