Rise of the Aztecs
1111-1521
Aztlan
• Mythical homeland of the Aztecs
• Means land of the white herons
• located on an island in a lake in west or
northwestern Mexico--possibly Nayarit
• Aztecs leave around 1111 a.d. in a southern
migration
• Led by their main God--Huitzilopochtli
Huitzilopochtli
• Aztec God of the Sun and War
• Gave them a new name: Mexica
• Tells them of the prophesy--to build a city
“where an eagle was seen sitting on a
cactus, holding a snake in its mouth.”
• Arrive in Valley of Mexico around 1235begin Tenochtitlan
Tenochtitlan
• Founded by the Aztecs around 1235
• 1344 or 1355 Tribe split into two
• One group under chief Tenoch founded the
southern capital--Tenochtitlan
• One group formed Tlatelolco.
Aztec turning points
• 1367-served as mercenaries for
Atzcapotzalco ruled by Tezozomoc
• 1375-received their first ruler fom
Tezozomoc--Acamapichtli
Acamapichtli
• First Aztec ruler--1375-1395
• Established the ruling nobility or dynastic
rulers
• All subsequent rulers related to
Acamapichtli
• Began the Aztec course as an empireestablished the Aztec militaristic tradition
Tlacaelel
• Chief advisor to several Aztec rulers
• Rewrote Aztec histories--depicting the
Aztecs as people of destiny, destined for
greatness
• Aztecs develop a mystic-vision of
themselves
Tlacaelel
• Reinstituted the Xochiyaoyotl--Flower Wars
• Established the triple alliance
– an alliance of Tenochtitlan, Texcoco and
Tlacopan
– To share in tribute collection, political
domination and to gain captives for sacrifice.
Tizoc
• Aztec ruler from 1481-1486
• May have been poisoned by a conspiracy
led by Tlacaelel due to indecisive and
ineffective leadership
Motecuhzoma II
• Ruled from 1502-1520
• Believed in legend of Quetzalcoatl
• Beset by omens during the early 16th
century
• Considered a weak leader that surrendered
to Cortez
• Died under controversial circumstances
Cuitlahuac
• Ruled the Mexica in 1520
• Died of the first smallpox epidemic-the
most potent weapon of the conquest.
Cuahutemoc
• Ruled the Mexica from 1520-1525
• Considered a symbol of heroism and
bravery due to his resistance to the Spanish
• Rallied the Mexica against the Spanish
• Executed and quartered by the Spaniards in
1525 in central America or southern Mexico