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In around 1100 CE the city-states, which were spread over central Mexico, began to compete with each other for local resources and regional dominance. Each state had it's own ruler.
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The Aztec Empire began in 1345 CE.
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Several small empires had formed in the Valley of Mexico. Dominant among these were Texcoco and Azcapotzalco.
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One of the first emperors of the empire. Itzcoatl was the son of a slave woman and Aztec nobel. He rose to power through military leadership. He led his tribe in the Tepanec War. Used the name 'Mexico' for his country and 'Mexican' for his people. He is Remembered as the founder of Mexico. His successor was his brother Moctezuma I.
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Texcoco and Azcapotzalco came face to face with the Tapanec War. The Azca forces were defeated by an alliance of Texcoco, Tenochtitlan.
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Following the victory of the Tepanec War a Triple Alliance was formed between Texcoco, Tenochtitlan, and Tlacopan. A campaign of territorial expansion was shared among the three great cities.
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Overtime Tenochtitlan came to dominate the alliance, it's ruler became the supreme ruler and the city established itself as the capital of the Aztec Empire.
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Empire continued to expand. Battles were concetrated in or around major cities and when these fell, victors claimed the surronding territory. In this way the Aztec Empire came to cover most of northern Mexico, an area of some 135,00 sq.km.
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Represented the Mexica people's first real independece and power. Properly governed his people and created order and stability for the quickly developing Mexica state. Natural diasters became big obstacles during his reign. Improved living conditions for his people and established penal and social laws. Famous for reworking the Mexica calendar and recording Mexica history.
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Tenochtitlan is damged by a great flood. Leaving the population filled with famine and starvation the next few years.
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First served as a warrior and then a captain under several emperors. Had surppressed rebellions and revolts throughout his territory. Defeated by the Spanish Conquistador Hernan Cortez in 1520. Captured, held hostage, and tortured by Cortez. Eraned a reputation as a reformer.
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Remembered mostly for his military exploits and creating temples for the Aztecs gods. He also commisioned the carving of the great Aztec calendar, a huge stone that allowed the Aztecs to measure time with precision.
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Famous for having the shortest and most unsuccessful reign of all the emperors in Aztec history. The Aztec Empire suffered a period of decline.
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Succesor of his brother Tizoc. Conquered tribes as far south as present-day Guatamela. Used tactics such as forced marches, ambushes, surprise attacks. Men feared and respected him. Conquest brought enormous wealth to the empire. Built the great temple of Malinalco. Imposed tight bureaucrtatic control over the empire.
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Minor rebellions occured. Heavily defeated by the Tlaxacala and the Huexotzingo.
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11th and last emperor of the Empire. Captured by the Spaniards, was also tortured for Aztec's wealth. His stoicism and refusal to speak became legendary. After getting caught speaking of a plot against the Spaniards he was hanged.
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Tenth emperor of the empire. An angry crowd of Aztecs killed the previous emperor for collaborating with the Spaniards. Died from the smallpox epidemic in the same year he became emperor. Brother of Moctezuma II.
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Was an important event during the Spanish conquest of Mexico, where in Hernán Cortés and his army of Spanish conquistadors and native allies fought their way out of the Mexican capital at Tenochtitlan following the death of the Aztec king Moctezuma II.
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When the spanish conquistadors arrived, rebel states would again seize the oppurtunity to gain their independance. In 1521, Cortez laid seige to the capital city. The Empire had collapsed.
