Aztec Empire of Mexico

Aztec Empire of Mexico

Aztec Empire, Native American state that ruled much of what is now Mexico from about 1427 until 1521, when the empire was conquered by the Spaniards. The empire represented the highest point in the development of the rich Aztec civilization that had begun more than a century earlier. At the height of their power, the Aztec controlled a region stretching from the Valley of Mexico in central Mexico east to the Gulf of Mexico and south to Guatemala.

Aztec Emperors The Aztec Empire was the strongest and most centralized power of its time in southern Mexico. Its capital, Tenochtitlán (present-day Mexico City), was founded by the Mexica, a Native American group. The rule of the highly organized Aztec people lasted until the Spanish conquered the empire in 1521 for its vast wealth.

Aztec Empire The Aztec created an empire in the 1400s in the region that is now Mexico. Their capital, Tenochtitlán, stood on the site of present-day Mexico City. The empire was destroyed by the Spaniards in 1521.

Plaza of the Three Cultures After the conquest of the Aztec Empire, a new civilization was created in Mesoamerica, combining native traditions with European influences. The Plaza of the Three Cultures in Mexico City symbolizes this blend: the ruins of an Aztec temple exist beside a Spanish colonial church, with a modern housing project in the background.

The Aztec built great cities and developed a complex social, political, and religious structure. Their capital, Tenochtitlán, was located on the site of present-day Mexico City. An elaborate metropolis built on islands and reclaimed marsh land, Tenochtitlán was possibly the largest city in the world at the time of the Spanish conquest. It featured a huge temple complex, a royal palace, and numerous canals.