The Aztecs

1. Origins and Foundation Myth

The Aztecs were originally nomads who migrated from northern Mexico. Their foundation myth centers on Huitzilopochtli, their god of war and sun, who instructed them to settle where they saw an eagle perched on a cactus, holding a snake. This divine sign marked the site of Tenochtitlán—a city built on lake islands and destined to become an imperial capital.

2. Social and Political Structure

The emperor, known as the Huey Tlatoani, wielded supreme authority. Aztec society was highly hierarchical, including nobility, priests, warriors, merchants, farmers, and slaves. Education was institutionalized through schools like calmecac (for nobles) and telpochcalli (for commoners), highlighting their commitment to civic and religious instruction.

3. Religion and Human Sacrifice

Aztec religion was polytheistic, featuring deities such as Huitzilopochtli (war), Tlaloc (rain), and Quetzalcoatl (wisdom). Believing the sun needed human blood to rise each day, they practiced ritual sacrifice, often on temple pyramids like the one at Tenochtitlán. Warfare and religion were deeply linked—captives taken in battle became offerings to the gods.

4. Cultural and Scientific Achievements

• Calendar system combining a 260-day ritual cycle and a 365-day solar cycle
• Construction of chinampas—floating agricultural plots in swampy land
• Pictographic writing system used for codices, history, and ritual records
• Symbol-rich art, pottery, and jewelry reflecting cosmological beliefs

5. The Fall of the Aztec Empire

In 1519, Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés arrived and was mistakenly seen as a divine being. Cortés capitalized on tribal tensions, forged alliances, and introduced foreign diseases like smallpox. After intense conflict, the Spanish seized Tenochtitlán in 1521, ending the Aztec Empire and beginning colonial rule.

6. Legacy and Influence

• Words such as "chocolate", "tomato", and "avocado" come from Nahuatl, the Aztec language
• Many Aztec agricultural and ritual practices survive in rural Mexican communities
• Archaeological sites like the Templo Mayor draw scholars and tourists worldwide

The Aztecs left a lasting imprint on Mexican culture, blending ancient wisdom with vibrant identity.