Zane's Aztec Timeline

Aztecs Settle on The Edge of Lake Texcoco

Mar 19, 1248

They were largely a nomadic tribe, and the area in which Lake Texcoco resided, the Valley of Mexico, was already occupied by various city states. They settle upon the hill neighboring Lake Texcoco called Chapultepec.

The Aztecs Build The Capitol City of Tenochtitlan

Mar 19, 1325

They built Tenochtitlan on an island in the center of Lake Texcoco. They believed their god Huitzilopitchli told them to build Tenochtitlan there.

The Chinampas are Invented

Apr 5, 1350

Around the years 1150 – 1350, the Aztec's built their Chinampas around Tenochtitlan. These were basically floating gardens, that the Aztec's built, since the surrounding land was unable to grow crops.

Moctezuma II is Born

Apr 3, 1466

In the year 1466, Moctezuma II was born. He was the leader of the Aztec hierarchy when Cortes conquered the Aztec empire

Hernan Cortes is Born

Apr 3, 1485

In Medellín, Castile, with the name Hernán Cortés de Monroy y Pizarro, Hernan Cortes was born into a family of relatively low nobility. Hernan Cortes would eventually go on to lead the expedition that conquered the Aztec empire.

Diego Velázquez de Cuéllar Conquers Cuba

Apr 5, 1511

Diego Velázquez de Cuéllar, under orders from Diego Columbus, conquered the island of Cuba. This is an important event in the conquer of the Aztecs as this is where Cortes set out from to conquer Mexico. Velazquez was also the one who ordered Cortes to go to Mexico in the first place, but changed his mind at the last minute. Cortes continued regardless.

Cortes Lands in the Yucatan Peninsula in Mayan territory

Feb 1, 1519

After being put in command in 1518 by Velazquez, Cortes lands in the Yucatan Peninsula. The charter was actually revoked by Velazquez at the last minute, but Cortes went regardless. Cortes went with 11 ships, 500 men, 13 horses and a small number of cannons. He would arrive in Tenochititlan in November

Cortes and His Army Arrive in Tenochtitlan

Nov 8, 1519

On the way to Tenochtitlan, Cortes had befriended other tribes. They had told him that the most powerful tribe was the Aztecs, who resided in Tenochtitlan. Some of them even joined his army. When Cortes arrived on November 8th 1519, he had amassed quite a large army. He was greeted into Tenochtitlan with open arms by Moctezuma II, which is all part of the Conquistador's Formula.

Moctezuma II is Killed

Jun 29, 1520

At the age of about 54, Moctezuma II, the leader of the Aztecs at the time of Cortes' expedition, was killed by his own people. They threw stones and darts at him due to his compliance with the Spanish.

Hernan Cortes Dies of Natural Causes.

Dec 2, 1547

Since Hernan Cortes spent almost all of his money on his expeditions, he was heavily in dept. He decided to spend his final years in Mexico, and when he reached Seville, he was striken with dysentry and died on December 2nd, 1547, at the age of 62.