The Aztec Empire Timeline

The Aztecs begin their pilgrimage

1100

The Aztecs leave their homeland of Aztlan in northern Mexico and begin their journey south in search for a new place to settle (their promised land) According to Tenochtitlan’s legend, the Aztecs were advised by their Sun and War god, Huitzilopochtli, to migrate to find new lands until they look for a special sign that would let them know that they had found their new home.

The Mexica arrive in the Valley of Mexico

1250

The Aztecs, or the Mexica as they called themselves throughout their journey in search of the promised land, settle in various areas in central Mexico before finally settling in the Valley of Mexico. When the Mexica arrive in the Valley of Mexico they settle on the inhospitable hill of Chapultepec but were forced to leave by the Culhuacan tribe after the Aztec's sacrifice of one the Culhua’s Princess.

The founding of Tenochtitlan

1325

After their expulsion from Chapultepec, the Aztecs wander through the Valley of Mexico and finally settle in Lake Texcoco.
The location was picked by the priests, who following Huitzilopochtli’s orders of their promised land, saw the foretold sign of an eagle holding a snake while standing on a nopal on the marshy land near Lake Texcoco. They took it as a sign to build their settlement there They drained the swampy land and established the foundations of their capital city, Tenochtitlán

Acamapichtli comes into power

1375

Acamapichtli is the first Aztec ruler of the city or tlatoani of Tenochtitlan from 1375 to 1391. He is considered to be the first in a line of eleven total tlatoanis of the Aztec imperial dynasty Acamapichtli is best remembered for establishing the Aztec Empire and growing the strength and wealth of Tenochtitlan until his death in in 1391 when is succeeded by his son Huitzilíhuitli He became ruler following the death of Tenoch, the Aztec leader who founded the city of Tenochtitlan

Itzcoatl reigns as leader of the Aztec empire

1427

Following the Aztec’s founding and construction of Tenochtitlan in the Valley of Mexico, the Aztecs quickly establish their authority across the other societies in the valley. In 1427 Itzcoatl becomes the fourth ruler of the Aztecs until 1440. Under his leadership, Tenochtitlan has named the center of power in the region, and the Aztecs the most powerful Mesoamerican society in the Valley of Mexico. Itzcoatl dies in 1440 and is replaced by his nephew Moctezuma I.

The Triple Alliance is formed

1428

The Triple Alliance (1428-1521) is a military and political pact among three city-states who shared lands in the Basin of Mexico: Tenochtitlan, Texcoco, and Tlacopan In 1428, under their leader Itzcoatl, the Aztecs combine forces first with Texcoco and later Tepaneca to defeat and overthrow their most powerful rival for influence in the region, Azcapotzalco The accord forms the basis of what was to become the Aztec Empire. They dominate most of Mexico between 1430 and 1521 AD

Consolidation of the Aztec Empire

1440

Moctezuma I rules from 1440 to 1469. He is the 5th tlatoani, or ruler in Tenochtitlán. Montezuma I biggest achievement is the consolidation of the Aztec civilization under the Triple Alliance pact with his expansionist policy that turns the Aztec state into an empire. He expands their territory beyond the Valley of Mexico to large portions of central and eastern Mexico. He succeeds his uncle, King Itzcoatl, as ruler of the Mexicas

Aztec Golden Age under Ahuitzotl

1486

Ahuitzotl is the eighth king of the Aztecs, under whose reign (1486–1502) the Aztec empire reaches its greatest extent During Ahuitzotl's time, his empire expands as far south as present-day Guatemala. And is recognized as one of the greatest generals of the ancient Americas who leaves to his nephew, Montezuma II, an enlarged and consolidated empire

Montezuma II reigns

1502

Moctezuma II is the 9th emperor of the Aztecs and during his reign, the Aztec Empire reaches its greatest height but also witnesses the start of an incredible clash of civilizations when Spanish conquistadors, under Hernán Cortés' leadership, arrive in Mexico. Moctezuma II's empire is held together primarily by Aztec military strength, rigid bureaucracy, and excessive tribute demands to his provinces for the imperial capital of Tenochtitlán. As a result, this weakens his power

Spanish conquistador Cortés arrives in Mexico

1519

Spanish conquistador Hernan Cortés lands on the Yucatan peninsula and begins his assault on Aztecs Cortés becomes allies with some of the native peoples he encounters on his way after learning of his plan to conquer their hated Aztec ruler, but with others, he uses deadly force to conquer them He fights Tlaxacan and Cholula warriors and then set his sights on taking over the Aztec empire in Tenochtitlán

Hernan Cortés arrives in Tenochtitlan

1519

Cortés marches to Tenochtitlán, the Aztec capital and home to ruler Montezuma II. On November 8, 1519, the Spaniards and their 1,000 Tlaxcaltec allied warriors enter Tenochtitlán unopposed when the Aztecs treat him as an honored guest; however, Montezuma II is taken a hostage by Cortés and his soldiers raid the city Cortés leaves the city after learning that Spanish troops were coming to arrest him for disobeying orders Montezuma II is killed

Cuauhtémoc, the last Aztec Emperor

1520

Cuauhtémoc is the 11th and last Aztec Emperor, nephew and son-in-law of Montezuma II who rules from 1520 to 1521 after the death of Montezuma’s successor, Cuitláhuac.

Spanish conquistadors' Sorrowful Night

Jun 30, 1520

The new Emperor, Cuitláhuac, drives Cortés and his troops out of the city, in an event remembered as La Noche Triste (Sorrowful Night) The night of June 30 - July 1, 1520, the Spanish conquistadors occupying Tenochtitlan try to escape from the Aztec heavy attack, but are spotted by locals and slain by the angry natives Some of the Spaniards escape, including expedition leader Hernan Cortes, but most of the golden treasures of Montezuma's are lost during the fight

The Aztec Empire falls

Aug 13, 1521

In May 1521, Cortés returns to Tenochtitlán, and with several advantages resumes the siege of Tenochtitlan with about 50,000 men, mainly indigenous allies. After a heroic attempt by the remaining Aztecs to defend the city, their new emperor Cuauhtémoc is taken as a prisoner and later executed on August 13, 1521 After the three-month siege, the city falls and this victory marks the fall of the Aztec empire

The viceroyalty of New Spain begins

1522

After the fall of the Aztec Empire, Spain renames the conquered lands as the Viceroyalty of New Spain and rules Mexico for the next three hundred years In 1522 the Spanish begin to rebuild the city of Tenochtitlan, previously the capital of the Empire, later known as Mexico City Cortes becomes the first colonial ruler of the conquered territories until 1524, running his administration from Mexico City, the capital of New Spain The process of establishing the viceroyalty took until 1535