THE BEGINNING OF THE AZTECS

                               

 THE BEGINNING OF THE AZTECS


The Aztecs are an ancient civilization located in Mexico;

Though it was not the biggest civilization in Central or South America, it was one of the strongest.

Before the Aztecs, other civilizations dominated the Valley of Mexico. Because of the very large lake in the center, tribes could sustain life in the dry climate of Mexico. One of these tribes was the famous Toltecs,
whose empire lasted from between the 10th and the 12th century.

Famous Toltecan statues

Their city, Tula, was eventually captured and burned, overthrowing the Toltecan empire. The Aztecs eventually settled around the 13th century.

The Aztecs originated as a hunter/gatherer tribe from Northern Mexico. Originally called the Tenochca, which is why their city was called Tenochtitlan. The Aztecs allied with more powerful tribes at the time, trying to seek protection and grow their civilization. But the Aztecs needed a strong, fortified city to make their home. According to legend, the Aztecs saw an eagle sitting on a cactus in the wetlands of the valley and took it as a good omen. They decided to build their city there.

The beautiful city of Tenochtitlan.

The city of Teochtitlan was a mark that the Aztecs were no longer a tribe, but a powerful civilization. The marvelous city helped the Aztecs grow and cultivate the land, starting an efficient form of agriculture that allowed them to flourish as a civilization.