The Aztec Empire

Mexico Valley settling

1100

The Valley of Mexico is settled by wandering tribes like Chichimecs, Tepanecs, Mexica and Acolhua, from the period of 1100 to 1200

The Aztecs reach Mexico

1110

The First Nahuatl speaking people began to settle in Mexico, believed to have been a northern tribe of hunter-gatherers whose name came from their homeland Aztlan, or ‘White Land’ in Nahuatl. Over the next 225 years, the Aztecs will move many times before finally settling in Tenochtitlan.

Roaming

1110

The Mexica tribes wander the Mexico Valley looking for a place to settle from 1110 thru 1248.

Settling

1248

The Mexica settle temporarily in Chapultepec near Lake Texcoco, but the Tepanecs very quickly kick them out

Re-Settling

1299

The Mexicas settle in Tizapan, by the consent of Cocoxtli, ruler of the Culhuacan tribe.

Founding Tenochtitlan

1325

When the Aztecs saw an Eagle with a snake atop a cactus, a symbol of the Aztec god Quetzecoatl, in a region south of Lake Texcoco, they took it as a sign to settle there. They drained the marshy land, and built artificial islands to hold Chinampas; Aztec floating gardens, as well as establishing city foundations, and Tenochtitlan was born.

Waterways

1350

The Aztecs built a system of causeways and canals around Tenochtitlan

Death of a Leader

1370

Tenoch, the religious ruler of the Mexica passes away

The First Aztec King

1376

Acamapichitli comes into power as the first ruler in Tenochtitlan. He came to be called the Tlatoani, which means 'speaker', and became the name of all Aztec rulers to come.

The Great Temple

1390

The original construction of the Templo Mayor begins in Tenochtitlan.

The Second King

1395

Huitzilihuitzli becomes the second king of the Aztecs, ruling through 1417. The same year, an alliance was forged with the Tepaneca.

The Third King

1417

Chimalpapoca becomes king after Huitzilihuitzli, reigning until 1427, a short reign as he was assassinated by the Tepaneca.

The Fourth King

1427

Itzcoatl becomes the fourth king of Tenochtitlan, founding the official Aztec empire and ruling through 1440.

The Sun Stone

1427

The Aztec Sun Stone is carved, depicting the Aztec myth of the five suns, and gets set up in Tenochtitlan.

War Breaks Out

1427

Lasting through 1430, a war with Tepaneca begins. Previously, the Tepaneca had been the ruling power of the region, taking tribute from the Mexica and ruling from Azcapotzalco, their capital city.

An Alliance

1428

Under Itzcoatl, the Aztecs form a three-way alliance with the Texcocans and the Tacubans to defeat the Tapunec, conquering their capital city of Azcapotzalco.

Treaty

1431

The Triple Alliance between the Mexica, the Acolhua of Texcoco, and the Tepaneca of Tlacopan was established. These three cities became the foundation of the Aztec empire.

The Fifth King

1440

Montezuma (Moctezuma) I takes the throne, a great warrior who vastly expanded the Aztec empire. He was seen as the father of the empire, which would see it's golden days under him, he ruled until 1469.

Tragedy Strikes

1452

A flood devastates Tenochtitlan, destroying food and causing famine and starvation until 1454.

The Sixth King

1469

Azayactl becomes the sixth king of The Aztec Empire, ruling until 1481.

The Coyolxauhqui Stone

1473

Around 1473, The Coyolxauhqui Stone was carved, depicting the Aztec goddess Coyolxauhqui, getting dismembered by Huitzilopochtli.

The Seventh King

1481

Tizoc becomes king of Tenochtitlan, ruling through 1486.

The Eighth King

1486

The rule of Ahuitzotl lasts from 1486 until 1502.

The Dedication

1487

The sixth version of the Templo Mayor at Tenochtitlan is dedicated to the gods with thousands of human sacrifices.

Columbus

1492

Christopher Columbus lands at Santa Domingo.

The Ninth King

1502

Montezuma (Moctezuma) II becomes the most famous king of the Aztec Empire, ruling until 1520.

Floods

1510

Severe floods ravage Tenochtitlan.

The Omen

1517

A comet is seen in the sky, and is taken as an omen of impending doom for the Aztecs.

Foreigners

1517

Francisco Hernandez de Cordoba lands in Yucatan from Cuba with around 100 men, his report back prompts Diego Velasquez to send a larger force under Hernando de Soto.

Hernan Cortes

Mar 4, 1519

Hernan Cortes lands on the Yucatan Peninsula in the town of Tabasco, where he learns about the great Aztec civilization ruled by Montezuma (Moctezuma) II.

Tenochtitlan

Nov 8, 1519

Cortes and his men reach Tenochtitlan. Montezuma (Moctezuma) II greeted them in Aztec custom, particularly due to Cortes' physical resemblance to Quetzecoatl. Although the Spanish were fewer, they overpowered the Aztecs with superior weapons, killed many, and took the King prisoner, who would later die in uncertain circumstances during captivity.

Disease

1520

An onslaught of European smallpox reduced the population of Tenochtitlan by almost 40% in one year.

War

1520

Cortes allies with the Aztec enemies, the Tlaxcala, and they begin to attack.

The Tenth King

1520

Cuitlahuac becomes the tenth king of Tenochtitlan.

The Last King

1520

Cuitlahuac dies of smallpox, and Cuauhetemoc becomes the eleventh and final king of the Aztec empire.

The Sad Night

Jul 1, 1520

Spanish forces are driven back at the cost of many Spanish and Tlaxcala lives.

The End of an Empire

Aug 13, 1521

Tenochtitlan falls, as Cuauhetemoc surrenders to the Spaniards. Hernan Cortes and his forces destroyed the city, leading to the downfall of Mesoamerica's last great native civilization.

The Birth of a New Empire

1522

Tenochtitlan was rebuilt by the Spanish as Mexico City, capital of New Spain

The Death of a King

1525

Cuauhetemoc is hung by the Spaniards.