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1100
1100
The Aztecs leave their homeland of Aztlan in northern Mexico and begin their journey south. Over the next 225 years the Aztecs will move many times until they finally settle down at the city of Tenochtitlan. -
Period: 1140 to 1469
1440 - 1469
Montezuma I rules and greatly expands the empire. -
1200
1200
The Aztecs arrive in the Valley of Mexico. -
1250
1250
They settle in Chapultepec, but are forced to leave by the Culhuacan tribe. -
1325
1325
The city of Tenochtitlan is founded. It will become the capital of the Aztec Empire. The location is picked by the priests because it is where they see the foretold sign of an eagle holding a snake while standing on a cactus. -
1350
1350
The Aztecs begin to build causeways and canals around Tenochtitlan. -
1375
1375
The first dominant ruler of the Aztecs, Acamapichtli, comes into power. They call their ruler the Tlatoani which means "speaker". -
1427
1427
Itzcoatl becomes the fourth ruler of the Aztecs. He will found the Aztec Empire. -
1428
1428
The Aztec Empire is formed with a triple alliance between the Aztecs, the Texcocans, and the Tacubans. The Aztecs defeat the Tepanecs. -
1440
1440
Montezuma I becomes the fifth leader of the Aztecs. His rule will mark the height of the Aztec Empire. -
1452
1452
The city of Tenochtitlan is damaged by a great flood. The next few years are filled with famine and starvation. -
1487
1487
The Templo Mayor (Great Temple of Tenochtitlan) is finished. It is dedicated to the gods with thousands of human sacrifices. -
1502
1502
Montezuma II becomes ruler of the Aztec Empire. He is the ninth of the Aztec kings. -
1517
1517
The Aztec priests mark the sighting of a comet in the night sky. They believe the comet was a sign of impending doom. -
1519
1519
Spanish conquistador Hernan Cortes arrives in Tenochtitlan. The Aztecs treat him as an honored guest, but Cortez takes Montezuma II prisoner. Cortez is driven from the city, but Montezuma II is killed. -
1520
1520
Cuauhtémoc becomes the tenth emperor of the Aztecs. Cortes forms an alliance with the Tlaxcala and begins to attack the Aztecs. -
1521
1521
Cortes defeats the Aztecs and takes over the city of Tenochtitlan. -
1522
1522
The Spanish begin to rebuild the city of Tenochtitlan. It will be called Mexico City and will be the capital of New Spain.