The Aztec become the primary power in Mesoamerica.
Clustered on a muddy island in Lake Texcoco—the site of present-day Mexico City (see entry for CA. 1325)—the Aztec people stage a series of wars on neighboring Indian groups in what is now the Valley of Mexico. By about 1440, they emerge as the dominant people of the region. In a long succession of military conquests, the ambitious, despotic Aztec rulers build up a vast empire. At its height, it comprises some 500 small states, spreading over
80,000 square miles throughout much of present-day Mexico.
Although absolute power rests with the ruler, the Aztec observe several layers of social rank—ranging from high-ranking nobles to middleranking merchants and artisans to low-ranking commoners. Individuals can rise or fall in position; warriors who distinguish themselves in battle are most frequently able to better their social positions.
The enormous empire is administered through a bureaucracy centered in Tenochtitlan, which is also the home of the Aztec ruler. The advanced Aztec farming technology, which employs manmade irrigation canals, helps sustain the population of this huge urban center. The residents of Tenoch-titlan also rely on tributes of food and goods from conquered people in outlying areas. In addition, the conquests of Aztec warriors bring captives to the capital, who are killed in ever-growing numbers during religious ceremonies. The Aztec believe the sacrifices are necessary to nourish Huitzilopo-chtli, the god of the sun and of war (see entry for CA. 1325). Without the shedding of blood through these human sacrifices and ritual bloodletting, they fear that their world will come to an end. Their dire prophesies will come true with the arrival of Spanish conquistadores in their realm (see entries for 1502, 1519, and 1521).
World History
