Aztec Civilization: Time and Place

The Triple Alliance in the Valley of Mexico

• Location: Valley of Mexico (Anáhuac), central Mexican highlands (~2,240 m / 7,350 ft elevation). Capital: Tenochtitlan (on Lake Texcoco islands; now Mexico City).
• Time Period: c. 1345 – 1521 CE.

Key Phases

• 1325 (traditional): Founding of Tenochtitlan (eagle on cactus).
• 1428: Triple Alliance (Tenochtitlan, Texcoco, Tlacopan) defeats Tepanecs → imperial expansion.
• 1440–1520: Reign of Moctezuma I, Axayacatl, Tizoc, Ahuitzotl, Moctezuma II — maximal territorial extent (central Mexico to Guatemala/Pacific/Gulf).
• 1519–1521: Cortés expedition, siege of Tenochtitlan, fall (Aug 13, 1521).

Defining Features

• Chinampa agriculture (floating gardens).
• Tributary empire (38 provinces, periodic tribute).
• State religion: Huitzilopochtli (sun/war), Tlaloc (rain); human sacrifice.
• Writing: Pictographic/logographic codices (few survive).
• Calendars: 260-day tonalpohualli, 365-day xiuhpohualli.