The Aztec Empire (1428–1521 AD)

The Aztec Empire, flourishing from 1428 to 1521 AD, was a powerful civilization in central Mexico, following the earlier achievements of the Maya. While the Maya excelled in writing, astronomy, and mathematics, the Aztecs were known for their impressive city-building, military conquests, and tribute system. They established their capital, Tenochtitlán, on an island in Lake Texcoco. The Aztecs practiced complex rituals, including human sacrifice, to appease their gods. Their empire grew rapidly until it fell to Spanish conquistadors led by Hernán Cortés, marking a significant turning point in Mesoamerican history and the beginning of European colonization in the Americas.