Aztec Empire
Pre-Columbian Mexican state
The Aztec Empire was the dominant political and territorial power in central Mexico from the early 15th century until the Spanish conquest in 1521.
Centered on the island city of Tenochtitlan (now Mexico City), the empire controlled much of Mesoamerica through military conquest and tribute systems.
The Aztec Empire fell to Hernán Cortés and his indigenous allies.
The term appears in historical and archaeological contexts, often evoking elaborate temples, human sacrifice, and sophisticated urban planning.
Aztec empire's central city
- pyramidPointed polyhedral solid
- aqueductChannel conveying water distances
- causewaysElevated roads over water
- ballcourtSports playing surface
stucco · basalt · palace · marketplace · canals · floating gardens
Aztec empire's central city
- MontezumaAztec ruler, sixteenth century
- hegemonyDominant group's control
- vassal statesTerritories subordinate to overlords
- diplomacyNegotiation between nations
Glassy igneous rock
- macuahuitlAztec obsidian-edged war club
- captivesPeople held by force
- sacrificeGiving up something precious
- conquestDefeating and seizing control
tribute · expansion · military orders · battle · siege · campaigns
Offering of respect
- NahuatlUto-Aztecan language of Mexico
- slaveryOwnership of people
- nobilityTitled ruling class
- commonersOrdinary citizens, untitled
priesthood · merchants · artisans · social hierarchy · education · kinship · taxation
Iberian legislative assemblies
- MontezumaAztec ruler, sixteenth century
- conquistadorsSpanish colonial soldiers
- Spanish conquestIberian imperial expansion westward
- smallpoxDeadly pustular viral infection
colonization · fall · resistance · epidemic · horses · gunpowder · 1521 · encomienda
Ancient bound manuscript
- pictographsSymbols depicting concepts visually
- glyphsCarved symbolic figures
- calendarDate-tracking system
- cacaoTropical pod-bearing tree
maize · chocolate · featherwork · goldsmithing · poetry · music · dance · turquoise
Aztec feathered serpent god
- feathered serpentWinged snake deity
- creation mythOrigin narrative of existence
- underworldRealm of the departed
Tenochtitlan
Aztec empire's central city
- pyramidPointed polyhedral solid
- aqueductChannel conveying water distances
- causewaysElevated roads over water
ballcourt · stucco · basalt · palace · marketplace · canals · floating gardens
Tenochtitlan
Aztec empire's central city
- MontezumaAztec ruler, sixteenth century
- hegemonyDominant group's control
- vassal statesTerritories subordinate to overlords
obsidian
Glassy igneous rock
- macuahuitlAztec obsidian-edged war club
- captivesPeople held by force
- sacrificeGiving up something precious
conquest · tribute · expansion · military orders · battle · siege · campaigns
tribute
Offering of respect
commoners · priesthood · merchants · artisans · social hierarchy · education · kinship · taxation
Cortes
Iberian legislative assemblies
- MontezumaAztec ruler, sixteenth century
- conquistadorsSpanish colonial soldiers
- Spanish conquestIberian imperial expansion westward
smallpox · colonization · fall · resistance · epidemic · horses · gunpowder · 1521 · encomienda · destruction
codex
Ancient bound manuscript
- pictographsSymbols depicting concepts visually
- glyphsCarved symbolic figures
- calendarDate-tracking system
cacao · maize · chocolate · featherwork · goldsmithing · poetry · music · dance · turquoise · jade
Quetzalcoatl
Aztec feathered serpent god
- feathered serpentWinged snake deity
- creation mythOrigin narrative of existence
- underworldRealm of the departed
- historyancient civilizations, past events, historian, epochs, era
- Americas HistoryAmerican Revolution, colonial era, colonization, Columbus, conquistadors
- Latin AmericaArgentina, Brazil, Chile, Mexico, Cuba
- empiresemperor, empress, imperial, Imperial China, Imperial Russia
- Former StatesPrussia, Czechoslovakia, Austria-Hungary, Soviet Union, East Germany
- KingdomsUnited Kingdom, England, Denmark, Belgium, Spain
Aztec EmpireSpanish Empire
Historical Iberian colonial power
Hernán Cortés · conquistadors · colonial powers · British Empire
Aztec EmpireRoman Empire
Ancient state from Augustus onward
Byzantine Empire · Chinese dynasties · Ottoman Empire · Persian Empire · Egyptian civilization