Aztec Empire

1. Origins and the Prophecy

The Aztecs, who called themselves the Mexica, were originally a nomadic group from northern Mexico. According to their legends, they traveled for many years looking for a specific sign from their god: an eagle perched on a cactus while eating a snake.

2. Settling in Lake Texcoco (1325)

Around the year 1325, they finally saw the sign on a small, swampy island in Lake Texcoco. Despite the land being difficult to build on, they founded their capital city, Tenochtitlan. To survive and grow, they developed clever engineering techniques:

• Chinampas: They built "floating gardens" by layering mud and plants to create fertile farmland on the water.

• Causeways: They built raised roads to connect their island city to the mainland.

3. The Triple Alliance (1428)

At first, the Mexica were a smaller power paying taxes to more powerful neighbors. However, in 1428, they formed a "Triple Alliance" with two nearby cities, Texcoco and Tlacopan. Together, they defeated the dominant power in the region, which allowed the Mexica to become the leaders of a new, united empire.

4. Growth Through Conquest and Tribute

The empire grew quickly by conquering hundreds of other city-states. The Aztecs didn't always replace local leaders; instead, they used a "Tribute System":

• Conquered peoples were forced to pay regular taxes in the form of food, gold, cotton, and exotic feathers.

• This wealth allowed Tenochtitlan to grow into one of the largest and most beautiful cities in the world at that time.