Aztecs

The Aztecs were a civilization that lived in central Mexico from about the 1300s to the early 1500s. They built a large empire and controlled many cities and peoples. The Aztecs are also called the Mexica, which was the name they used for themselves. Their capital city was Tenochtitlan, built on islands in a lake where Mexico City stands today. The Aztecs were known for their cities, farming, religion, and strong army.

According to Aztec stories, their people traveled for many years before settling in the Valley of Mexico. They said their god Huitzilopochtli told them to build a city where they saw an eagle on a cactus eating a snake. They saw this sign on an island in Lake Texcoco. There they built Tenochtitlan in 1325. The city grew into one of the largest cities in the world at that time. It had canals, roads, temples, and markets.

The Aztecs developed advanced farming methods. One important method was the chinampa. A chinampa was a man-made island built in shallow lake water. Farmers grew crops such as corn, beans, squash, tomatoes, and chili peppers on these islands. This system allowed food to grow well all year. Aztec farmers used simple tools but produced enough food to support a large population.

Aztec society was well organized. The ruler was called the Huey Tlatoani, which means “great speaker.” One well-known ruler was Moctezuma II. Society included nobles, priests, warriors, merchants, farmers, and workers. Boys and girls went to school, but they studied different subjects. Boys often learned skills for war or farming, while girls learned household skills. Religion was an important part of daily life, and many ceremonies were held in temples.

The Aztecs believed in many gods. Each god was linked to parts of nature or life. They believed that the gods needed offerings to keep the world in balance. Some ceremonies included sacrifices, which were acts of giving something valuable to the gods. These practices were part of Aztec religion and worldview. Large stone temples called pyramids were built for worship.

In 1519, Spanish explorers arrived in Mexico. The leader was Hernán Cortés. At first, the Aztecs did not know who the newcomers were. Fighting later began between the Spanish and the Aztecs. Diseases brought by Europeans, such as smallpox, spread quickly. In 1521, Tenochtitlan fell, and the Aztec Empire ended. Many parts of Aztec culture, language, and traditions still exist in Mexico today.