In 1978, workers in Mexico City discovered a stone carving of the Aztec goddess Coyolxauhqui.
This sparked interest in what lay beneath Mexico City, leading to excavations that revealed the remains of Tenochtitlan, the capital of the Aztec Empire.
The Aztec civilization, once erased by time, was uncovered beneath modern Mexico City.
The Aztec Civilization and Their Rise
Tenochtitlan was a magnificent city located on an island in Lake Texcoco.
The Aztecs, or Mexica, referred to their homeland as Aztlan.
Their society was highly complex, with intricate social, military, and religious structures.
Geography and Environment
The Valley of Mexico is a highland plateau surrounded by volcanic mountains, abundant in water and fertile for agriculture.
The lake system provided a rich ecosystem for the Aztecs.
Formation of the Aztec Empire
The Mexica migrated to the Valley of Mexico around 1300 AD, initially living as nomadic warriors.
They eventually settled on a marshy island in Lake Texcoco, founding Tenochtitlan.
Tenochtitlan grew rapidly, becoming a major city by the early 1400s.
The Aztec Social and Economic Structure
Tenochtitlan was organized into four main districts and linked to the mainland by causeways.
The economy was based on agriculture, trade, and tribute from conquered regions.
They built chinampas (floating gardens) for agriculture and used sophisticated aqueducts to supply fresh water.
Culture and Religion
The Aztec religion involved numerous gods, with Huitzilopochtli, the god of war, being central.
Human sacrifice was a significant part of their religious practices, believed to nourish the gods.
Military and Expansion
The Aztecs formed the Triple Alliance with Texcoco and Tlacopan, creating a dominant empire.
They expanded their territory through a combination of military conquest and forming alliances.
Warfare was highly ritualized, focusing on capturing prisoners for sacrifice.
Decline and Fall of the Aztec Empire
The harsh tribute system and human sacrifice practices fostered resentment among subjugated peoples.
This resentment would later play a role in the empire鈥檚 downfall.
European contact, beginning with Columbus in 1492, eventually led to the Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire.
Factors Leading to Collapse
Technological and tactical disadvantages compared to Europeans, such as lack of horses and metal weapons.
Internal strife and weakened state control over vast territories contributed to vulnerability.
Conclusion
The rise of the Aztec Empire was rapid and powerful, but its practices and the arrival of Europeans heralded its downfall.
The comet seen as an omen foreshadowed the dramatic changes that would soon occur.