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The Aztecs and their history

Published by Robert Thomson | November 26th 2008 | Views:

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The term Aztec was not used to talk about a unified set of indians. They consist of three main groups, the Mexicas, Acolhuas and Tepanecas. All of these tribes speak the Nahua language. The Aztec empire ruled a 500,000 km sq. (193,051 miles sq.) of land, mostly in the Valley of Mexico, in central Mexico.

The first Aztecs were the Nahua tribes who migrated from northern Mexico in the 6h century. As they move more and more towards south, they crossed paths with other nomadic tribes. Inter-marriages and cultural assimilation followed suit. Religions and culture were mixed creating a mix which became the foundation of Aztec culture. By the 12th century, they formed the city of Azcapotzalco, the capital of the empire where the Tepanecas were the biggest tribe.

Around 1248, the Mexicas moved from a place they named Aztlan, a mythical place where the Mexicas fled to seek better home. By that time, they were many city-states in the Mexico Valley, some of them being Culhuacon and Azcapotzalco. The Culhuacon ruler said it was ok to the Mexicas to settle in the barren Tizapan. Another process of assimilation and integration occurred between the Mexicas and the natives.

The location of the Mexicas’ next home was decided by a dream, a common way in that era. A vision of an eagle on a thorny pear cactus, holding a snake in its talons was shown to the people. This was the reason the exodus of the Mexicas from Tizapan to Lake Texcoco, whereby half-brothers Tlacaelel and Montezuma, the powers behind the throne. They were the main architects of the new Aztec religion and history. Books were burned to create a new start for the Aztecs. Thus, the Aztec empire ruled for the next 100 years.

The fall of the Aztec empire started when Hernan Cortes landed in the Gulf Coast in 1519. After a few skirmishes, he allied with the Tlatcala, a long-time enemy of the Aztecs. Together they rode to the Tenochtitlan gates and arrived on November 8 they year 1519. At first, Emperor Montezuma II, accepted and even paid tribute to the conquistador. This was due to a legend that Cortes was a god that was said to return to the Aztecs in the same year Cortes arrived. This was rejected by historians, who said that it was Spanish propaganda.

Although Montezuma II showered the Spanish with gifts of gold, Cortes kidnapped the emperor and asked for ransom in gold. The amount was duly paid and Cortes continued to rule the Aztecs through the emperor. The Aztecs first revolted after the slaughter at the main temple. There are many versions to this tale. Some say that the Spanish were enticed by the gold worn by the nobles and murdered them. Others said that the Spanish were trying to stop a human sacrifice, a tradition that has been practiced by the Aztecs for ages.

This was followed by the event of La Noche Triste (The Night of Sorrows). Fearing for his safety, Cortes tried to flee to Tlatcala but was stopped by Aztec guards who fought and killed around 150 Spanish soldiers and 2,000 natives with Cortes barely escaping. It was said the Spanish carried so much gold stolen from their siege that they drowned in the many canals around the main city. The Spanish revenged with their siege on Tenochtitlan which ended on the 13th of August 1521.

There is still much to be discovered about Aztec history. Most of the relics and documents were lost or destroyed by the conquistadors during the Spanish conquest. Idols and statues were destroyed for gold and replaced with statues of the Virgin Mary. Temples and houses were robbed and burned. It is truly horrifying to know that the Aztec empire died in such a tragic way.
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