Aztec Culture Timeline

Aztec Civilization Span

Period: Jan 1, 1300 to Jan 1, 1550

Aztecs Found Tenochtitlán

Mar 13, 1325

It was this year when the Aztecs spotted an eagle perched on top of a cactus at the site of modern day Mexico City. In accordance with there mythology and beliefs, they took this as a sign that this must be the site of their settlement. Because of this, the Aztecs began building Tenochtitlán, the capital city of the Aztecs.

Mexicas elect their first state ruler

Jan 1, 1376

Acamapichtli was electes as the first "Huey Tlatoani," which is basically a ruler of pre-Hispanic state.

Formation of the Aztec Triple Alliance

Mar 13, 1428

Under their leader Itzcoatl, the Aztecs formed a three-way alliance with both the Texcocans and the Tacubans in order to conquer another civilization's capital. This alliance lasted until the spanish conquest in 1521.

Moctezuma I Takes Power

Jan 1, 1440

After his half uncle died of old age, Moctezuma I became the ruler of the Aztec nation. He became known as the father of the Aztec empire because of his great strides in expanding their nation to ruling almost 6 million people in Mesoamerica. He was also the ruler of the Aztecs during the Spanish conquests.

"Reconsecration" of the Great Pyramid of Tenochtitlan

Jan 1, 1487

The Aztecs claim to have sacrificed over 80,400 people during this time, although this number may have been exagerrated. Human sacrifice was a common practice among the Aztecs. For their religious practice, they wold often sacrifice to gods like Quetzalcóatl, or they would sacrifice to keep the ongoing balance of the Universe.

Francisco Hernandez de Cordoba begins first expedition in Mexico

Feb 8, 1517

He was the first European to ever visit the territory in Mexico with his 100 men. It was his report back to Cuba that prompts the Spanish to send a large force to conquer the Aztecs, led by none other than Hernan Cortes.

Aztecs reach their Peak

Jan 1, 1519

Directly prior to the conquest of Cortes, the Aztec civilization reached its prime. By this time the Aztecs ruled over 500 small states and the capital of Tenochtitlan had 140,000 inhabitants.

Cortes tricks the Aztecs and starts a "war"

Nov 29, 1519

Cortes was sent to Mexico by the governor of Cuba, and he was able to learn the location of the Aztec civilization from the Mexican natives. Disobeying the governor, Cortes set up a settlement in Mexico where he trained his 400 soldiers. During the spiritual ritual that Cortes was invited to by the trusting Moctezuma I (they thought he was sent by the gods because of his fair skin), Cortes slaughtered around 240,000 Aztec peoples and conquered the capital.

The last of the Aztecs were conquered

Aug 13, 1521

After Moctezuma died after being captured by Cortes, his nephew took over and led a last ditched effort to defeat Cortes. They drove out the Spanish for a short time, but Cortes allied with rival nations, and they finally defeated the Aztecs and drove the remainders out. The city was nearly destroyed, and Mexico City was built off of its ruins.