Aztec Empire

The Aztec Empire was the dominant power of central Mexico in the 15th and early 16th centuries, a sophisticated civilization centred on the great city of Tenochtitlan until its conquest by the Spanish in 1521.

Key Takeaways

• The Aztec Empire dominated central Mexico from its capital, Tenochtitlan.
• It was built by the Mexica through a triple alliance of city-states.
• It featured advanced agriculture, engineering, writing and astronomy.
• It fell to the Spanish under Hernán Cortés in 1521.

Built by the Mexica people around their island capital of Tenochtitlan, the Aztec Empire dominated central Mexico through alliance, tribute and war, achieving remarkable feats of engineering and culture before its fall to Hernán Cortés.

The Aztec Empire was the last great power of pre-Columbian Mexico. From their island capital of Tenochtitlan — a city of causeways, canals and pyramids rising from a lake — the Mexica people ruled much of central Mexico through alliance, tribute and war.

At its height under Montezuma II, the empire commanded millions of subjects and astonishing feats of engineering and culture. But in 1519 the Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés arrived, and within two years — aided by Aztec rivals and European disease — the empire fell, ending an era of the age of exploration.

Key Achievements

• Built the island metropolis of Tenochtitlan with causeways and canals.
• Developed sophisticated agriculture, including floating gardens (chinampas).
• Created a complex calendar, writing and religious system.

Notable Figures of Aztec Empire

Montezuma II

79

Emperor · 1466 – 1520

Montezuma II was the ninth ruler of the Aztec Empire, who presided over its greatest extent and splendor before the arrival of the Spanish under Hernán Cortés led to his death and the empire's fall.

• Ruler of the Aztec Empire at its height
• Encounter with Cortés

Montezuma II

79

Emperor · 1466 – 1520

Montezuma II was the ninth ruler of the Aztec Empire, who presided over its greatest extent and splendor before the arrival of the Spanish under Hernán Cortés led to his death and the empire's fall.

• Ruler of the Aztec Empire at its height
• Encounter with Cortés

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened to the Aztec Empire?

It was conquered by Spanish forces under Hernán Cortés, allied with rival peoples, who captured Tenochtitlan in 1521 after the reign of Montezuma II.