The Aztecs

ancient history · central Mexico · empire · Nahuatl language

Built an empire. The Aztec Empire was actually a confederation of three powerful city-states that joined together in 1427: Tenochtitlan, Tetzcoco, and Tlacopan. These three cities worked together as allies to control a vast territory in central Mexico.

Spoke Nahuatl. The Aztec people shared a common language called Nahuatl, which connected different ethnic groups across central Mexico. This shared language helped unite these communities under the Aztec civilization.

Lived in city-states. Aztec society was organized into independent cities called altepetl, which sometimes formed alliances or joined larger empires. This meant Aztec civilization was less like one country and more like a network of connected city-states working together.

Ethnically diverse. The Aztecs were not just one ethnic group but included many different peoples from central Mexico who shared culture and language. The term 'Aztec' broadly describes all these Nahua peoples who lived in the region before Spanish conquest in 1521.

Lasted two centuries. The Aztec civilization flourished for over 200 years, from around 1300 until Spanish conquistadors arrived in 1521. This was long enough to build a sophisticated culture with impressive achievements in art, architecture, and government.