THE AZTEC EMPIRE.

THE AZTEC EMPIRE

[pic 1]1. The Aztecs, name commonly used to refer to the Mexica, were a dominant people in the northern area of ​​Mesoamerica during the late post-classic period (1320-1521). In 1325 they founded their city, Tenochtitlan, now Mexico City. Already sitting in your town Mexica were for decades under the rule of the powerful lordship of Azcapotzalco, who served as soldiers for hire. By 1430, the Mexica had assimilated the culture of the advanced peoples of the valley and had become an efficient military power. They then attacked and defeated Azcapotzalco and became one of the strongest manors of the region. They thus began a warrior feat in only 70 years would make them owners of the largest empire that had existed in Mesoamerica. 

2. The empire would be forged mainly by Tlacaélel, who convinced the Mexica attacking the lord of Azcapotzalco rather than surrender. Tlacaelel also reformed the Aztec religion and history. He ordered the burning of Mexica books and rewrote its history. He rose to Huitzilopochtli, demigod mexica, at the level of the ancient Nahua gods (Quetzalcoatl, Tlaloc and Tezcatlipoca). He identified Huitzilopochtli with the sun and created the need for constant human sacrifices, also created the flowery wars in order to have an efficient military force even in peacetime. He gave Mexica historical consciousness and responsibility to maintain the existence of the universe through human sacrifices, most killed were the slaves captured during wars. That mystic-warrior vision contrasted to the ancient Toltec vision of Quetzalcoatl had other Nahua peoples.

3. In Nahuatl poetry you can see the conflict between these two worldviews. Tlacaélel refused to become tlatoani (king), but it was the power behind the throne throughout three reigns. The Mexica formed an alliance with the manors of Texcoco and Tlacopan thus creating what became known as the Triple Alliance. Under the command of remarkable military leaders like lhuicamina and Ahuízotl Moctezuma I, the Aztecs conquered central Mexico, Veracruz, the coast of Guerrero, Oaxaca and dominated part of the territory of Soconusco, on the border with Guatemala. Only a few people managed to resist the Mexica thrust: the Purepecha (also known as purhépechas), the tlaxcaltecas and some Mixtec manors.

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