History of the Aztecs

The Aztecs were a powerful Mesoamerican civilization that flourished in central Mexico from the 14th to early 16th centuries. They established their capital, Tenochtitlán, on an island in Lake Texcoco, creating a highly organized society with advanced agriculture, engineering, and art. The Aztecs built a vast empire through military conquest and alliances, practicing a religion that included human sacrifices. Their reign ended when Spanish conquistadors, led by Hernán Cortés, arrived in 1519, bringing diseases and warfare that contributed to the empire’s collapse by 1521. Today, Aztec history influences Mexican culture and identity.