Aztec Empire

By Josy Ramirez
  • Period: Jan 1, 1200 to Aug 31, 1521

    Aztec Empire

  • Sep 10, 1200

    Building the Aztec Empire

    In around 1100 CE the city-states, which were spread over central Mexico, began to compete with each other for local resources and regional dominance. Each state had it's own ruler.
  • Oct 3, 1345

    Beginning of Empire

    The Aztec Empire began in 1345 CE.
  • Aug 12, 1400

    City-States

    Several small empires had formed in the Valley of Mexico. Dominant among these were Texcoco and Azcapotzalco.
  • Jun 20, 1427

    Itzcoatl

    Itzcoatl
    One of the first emperors of the empire. Itzcoatl was the son of a slave woman and Aztec nobel. He rose to power through military leadership. He led his tribe in the Tepanec War. Used the name 'Mexico' for his country and 'Mexican' for his people. He is Remembered as the founder of Mexico. His successor was his brother Moctezuma I.
  • Feb 4, 1428

    Tepanec War

    Texcoco and Azcapotzalco came face to face with the Tapanec War. The Azca forces were defeated by an alliance of Texcoco, Tenochtitlan.
  • Oct 9, 1428

    Triple Alliance

    Following the victory of the Tepanec War a Triple Alliance was formed between Texcoco, Tenochtitlan, and Tlacopan. A campaign of territorial expansion was shared among the three great cities.
  • Apr 8, 1430

    The rise of Tenochtitlan

    Overtime Tenochtitlan came to dominate the alliance, it's ruler became the supreme ruler and the city established itself as the capital of the Aztec Empire.
  • Sep 10, 1430

    Territorial expansion

    Empire continued to expand. Battles were concetrated in or around major cities and when these fell, victors claimed the surronding territory. In this way the Aztec Empire came to cover most of northern Mexico, an area of some 135,00 sq.km.
  • Jan 19, 1440

    Moctezuma I

    Moctezuma I
    Represented the Mexica people's first real independece and power. Properly governed his people and created order and stability for the quickly developing Mexica state. Natural diasters became big obstacles during his reign. Improved living conditions for his people and established penal and social laws. Famous for reworking the Mexica calendar and recording Mexica history.
  • Jun 6, 1452

    Flood

    Tenochtitlan is damged by a great flood. Leaving the population filled with famine and starvation the next few years.
  • Aug 13, 1466

    Moctezuma II

    Moctezuma II
    First served as a warrior and then a captain under several emperors. Had surppressed rebellions and revolts throughout his territory. Defeated by the Spanish Conquistador Hernan Cortez in 1520. Captured, held hostage, and tortured by Cortez. Eraned a reputation as a reformer.
  • Apr 13, 1469

    Axayacatl

    Axayacatl
    Remembered mostly for his military exploits and creating temples for the Aztecs gods. He also commisioned the carving of the great Aztec calendar, a huge stone that allowed the Aztecs to measure time with precision.
  • Jul 25, 1481

    Tizoc

    Tizoc
    Famous for having the shortest and most unsuccessful reign of all the emperors in Aztec history. The Aztec Empire suffered a period of decline.
  • May 13, 1486

    Ahuitzotl

    Ahuitzotl
    Succesor of his brother Tizoc. Conquered tribes as far south as present-day Guatamela. Used tactics such as forced marches, ambushes, surprise attacks. Men feared and respected him. Conquest brought enormous wealth to the empire. Built the great temple of Malinalco. Imposed tight bureaucrtatic control over the empire.
  • Nov 13, 1515

    Collapse of the Empire

    Minor rebellions occured. Heavily defeated by the Tlaxacala and the Huexotzingo.
  • May 27, 1520

    Cuactemoc

    Cuactemoc
    11th and last emperor of the Empire. Captured by the Spaniards, was also tortured for Aztec's wealth. His stoicism and refusal to speak became legendary. After getting caught speaking of a plot against the Spaniards he was hanged.
  • Jun 10, 1520

    Cuitlahuac

    Tenth emperor of the empire. An angry crowd of Aztecs killed the previous emperor for collaborating with the Spaniards. Died from the smallpox epidemic in the same year he became emperor. Brother of Moctezuma II.
  • Jun 30, 1520

    Noche Triste (Sad Night)

    Was an important event during the Spanish conquest of Mexico, where in Hernán Cortés and his army of Spanish conquistadors and native allies fought their way out of the Mexican capital at Tenochtitlan following the death of the Aztec king Moctezuma II.
  • Aug 13, 1521

    Collapse of the Empire cont.

    When the spanish conquistadors arrived, rebel states would again seize the oppurtunity to gain their independance. In 1521, Cortez laid seige to the capital city. The Empire had collapsed.