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Aztec Timeline

By ra2155
  • Jun 20, 1325

    Tenochtitlan is settled

    Tenochtitlan is settled
    The Mexica people travel south from Aztlan (an unknown place of origin). The city is started on an island considered spiritual by the Mexica in 1325 CE. At this point the city was a collection of reed huts.
  • Period: Jan 1, 1376 to Jan 1, 1395

    The first king of Tenochtitlán, Acamapichitli, rules

  • Jan 1, 1390

    Original construction of Templo Mayor beings in Tenochtitlán

    Original construction of Templo Mayor beings in Tenochtitlán
    The Templo Mayor begins construction in 1390 CE highlighting the growing population of the city. The building of a religious temple also comes with the increase in sacrifices for the gods.
  • Period: Jan 1, 1395 to Jan 1, 1417

    The second king of Tenochtitlán, Huitzilihuitzli, rules. An alliance with the Tepaneca is created.

    An alliance with the Tepaneca would later lead to a civil war due to the succession crisis following the death of their leader.
  • Period: Jan 1, 1417 to Jan 1, 1427

    The third king, Chimalpopoca, has his relatively short reign. He is assasinated by the Tepaneca.

  • Period: Jan 1, 1427 to Jan 1, 1430

    War with the Tepaneca

    The outcome of the war would be the triple alliance.
  • Period: Jan 1, 1427 to Jan 1, 1440

    Tenochtitlán's fourth king, Itzcoatl, reigns

    Itzcoatl saw the creation of the Triple alliance and help win the Tepaneca war.
  • Jan 1, 1431

    Establishment of the Triple Alliance

    Establishment of the Triple Alliance
    An alliance between the Mexica, the Acolhua in the city Texcoco and the Tepaneca of Tlacopan starts in 1431 CE. This starts the rise of the Aztec empire as Tenochtitlan eventually becomes the largest and most wealthy of the three cities. At this point the population of Tenochtitlan is between 100,000 and 150,000 people.
  • Period: Jan 1, 1440 to Jan 1, 1469

    Reign of the fifth king, Moctezuma I, who is also referred to as Montezuma I

  • Jan 1, 1452

    Tenochtitlán severely damaged by flooding

    Tenochtitlán severely damaged by flooding
    The city was destroyed by floods in 1452 CE which caused massive famine to strike for the following two years. Up to 10,000 were sacrificed in order to stop the floods.
  • Period: Jan 1, 1452 to Jan 1, 1454

    Famine in Tenochtitlán

    The famine resulted from widespread flooding and the resulting destruction of Tenochtitlan. Up to 10,000 were sacrificed to try to stop the floods.
  • Period: Jan 1, 1469 to Jan 1, 1481

    Tenochtitlán's sixth king, Azayactl, reigns

    Azayactl tried invading the Purépecha Empire with 32,000 Aztec soldiers but lost 90% of his soldiers to death or imprisonment.
  • Period: Jan 1, 1481 to Jan 1, 1486

    Reign of Tizoc, the seventh king of Tenochtitlán

    Tizoc's rule was short-lived as he was ineffectual. He was most likely assassinated by his own nobles.
  • Period: Jan 1, 1486 to Jan 1, 1502

    Rule of Ahuitzotl, eighth king of the city

  • Period: Jan 1, 1502 to Jan 1, 1520

    Reign of Moctezuma II, or Montezuma II, most famous of the Aztec kings and ninth king of Tenochtitlán

    Under Moctezuma II Aztec armies invaded the Purépecha Empire once again and lost thus causing the army to withdraw.
  • Jan 1, 1510

    Severe floods in Tenochtitlán

    Severe floods in Tenochtitlán
    The second time floods struck Tenochtitlan in 1510 CE. Unlike before these floods did not destroy the city, but many more lost their lives to sacrifice.
  • Nov 8, 1519

    Cortes arrives in Tenochtitlán

    Cortes arrives in Tenochtitlán
    Cortes was welcomed into Tenochtitlan by Montezuma II in 1519 CE because he was thought to be the light-skinned Quetzalcoatl, whose return was prophesied in Aztec legend.
  • Jan 1, 1520

    Cortes' assault on the empire begins

    Cortes' assault on the empire begins
    On the 1st of July, 1520 CE the Spanish forces were driven back. The Spanish and their native allies suffered heavy losses. (This is known as la Noche Triste - The Sad Night)
  • Jan 1, 1520

    Rule of Cuitahuac, tenth king of Tenochtitlán

    Rule of Cuitahuac, tenth king of Tenochtitlán
    Cuitahuac takes rule in 1520 CE but dies shortly after from a small pox epidemic that hits Tenochtitlan. The epidemic also leaves the city weakened for a future attack from Cortes. Half of the population of the city (including 25% of the army) were decimated.
  • Jan 1, 1520

    Rule of Cuauhetemoc, eleventh and last king of the city.

    Rule of Cuauhetemoc, eleventh and last king of the city.
    Cuauhetemoc took power in 1520 CE but Tenochitlan fell during his reign. He was hung in 1525 CE by the Spaniards after surrendering the city.
  • Aug 13, 1521

    Cuauhetemoc surrenders to Cortes, destruction of the city

    Cuauhetemoc surrenders to Cortes, destruction of the city
    The city prior to Cortes had 200,000-250,000 inhabitants in 1521 CE but was cut down by 75% by small pox epidemics and the Spanish in the 70 years following.