Aztec Empire By derwayall01 Jan 1, 1250 The Aztecs settle near Lake Texcoco Jan 1, 1325 Established Tenotchitlan Jan 1, 1350 Canals and Roads are built throughout the empire Jan 1, 1370 The Aztec Priest, Tenoch, dies and the Aztecs are now ruled by Tepanecs Jan 1, 1400 The Tepanecs are defeated Jan 1, 1440 Emperor Moctezuma becomes ruler of the Aztecs Jan 1, 1452 The city of Tenochtitlan is damaged by a flood Jan 1, 1520 Smallpox killed the Aztec emperor Cuitlahuac, who had rallied his people to defeat the Spaniards Aug 13, 1521 Cuitlahuac's successor was captured, marking the end of the Aztec Empire