Aztec timeline

The End of the Aztec Empire

Period: 1521 BCE to 1521 BCE

Cortés builds a defense against the Tenochtitlán, beginning in May of 1521, He defeats Cuitláhuac’s succesor and on August 13 the Capital falls into the hands of the Spanish

The Desertion of Cortés

1520 BCE

Cortés leaves to fight an enemy force on the coast, leaving Pedro de Alvarado in charge of the Aztec empire. Alvarado massacres many Aztec chiefs and Montezuma dies in Spanish Custody. Cortés retreats from the Capital and the Spanish suffer lots of casualties. After his retreat, Cortés wins the battle of Otumba.

The Return

1519 BCE

Cortes landed in Tabasco where he gained information from the natives, they informed him that the leader of the Aztec empire was Moctezuma (Montezuma II). Against the authority of Governor Velasquez, Cortes founded the city Veracruz and trained his army into a formidable fighting force. He was aided by a native woman named Malinche and thanks to the instability of the empire, he was able to form alliances within the walls, and with the Tlascans, who the Aztecs were at war with.

European Invasion

1517 BCE

Francisco Hernandez de Cordoba was the first European to enter the soil of Mexican Territory. He arrived in Yucatan, Cuba with three ships and around 100 men. When he came back, the reports he made caused the Spanish Governor, Diego Velasquez, to send a larger force back to Yucatan under the control of Hernán Cortés.

The Reign of Montezuma II

1502 BCE

Montezuma II takes power after his uncle and begins his 18 year reign. The empire has reached its prime stretching to future Honduras and Nicaragua. However, the empire is weakened by enemy tribes and too many religious sacrifices.

Reign of Ahuitzotl

Period: 1486 BCE to 1487 BCE

Ahuitzotl becomes the Aztec ruler in 1486, The following year he builds a temple for the gods that lasts four days and thousands of war criminals are sacrificed. Aztec nobles and priests cut open their chests and tear out their hearts, including Ahuitzotl.

The Father of the Aztec Empire

Period: 1440 BCE to 1469 BCE

After Itzcoatl, his son had succeeded him. Montezuma was not only an aspiring leader but he was also surrounded by riches. He rules from 1440 to 1469. Under his reign, the Aztec empire found prosperity and was considered at it's peak. he was given the nickname: "The Father of the Aztec Empire."

Three-way Alliance

1428 BCE

Under the leader Itzcoatl, the Aztecs formed a three-way Alliance with the Texocans and the Tacubans against the common enemy, the Tepanec. They conquered the capital, Azcapotzalco, and emerged victorious.

Aztecs founded

1325 BCE

Aztecs (also known as the Tenocha) appeared in Mesoamerica in the south central region of pre Colombian Mexico. Their arrival came right after the fall of Toltecs. The Aztecs saw an eagle perched on a cactus in a marshy land and decided to create their settlement there, naming it Tenochtitlán.

Building an Empire.

1300 BCE

Due to their crops like corn (maize) along with beans and other vegetables, they were able to support themselves along side their fishing and hunting skills. With their somewhat mature agriculture system and a powerful military they built a successful state and later, empire. By the 16th century, they had come to rule over 500 small states while having 140,000 inhabitants in Tenochtitlan.