Timeline of the Aztecs

The Arrival in Mexico and Chapultepec

1248 A.C

The Mexica people arrived from the north to the Valley of Mexico, in 1248. They initially settled by the Lake Texcoco in Chapultepec. But they were soon expelled by the Tepaneca people of the powerful city-state of Azcapotzalco.

The Founding of Technotitlan

1325 A.C

On 13th of March 1325 it is belived that Tenochtitlan was first founded. It was after somebody saw an eagle fighting a snake and thought it was a massage from their god.

First Ruler Acampichtli

1376 A.C

The first ruler of the city of Tenochtitlan was elected in 1376. Acampichtli was not a native of the city but lived rather in Texcoco. However, he was from an influential family with Mexica ancestry and so he was chosen to lead the city.

During his reign, Tenochtitlan was able to emerge as a powerful state. Acampichtli forged alliances with major city states and paid them tribute.

Itzcoatl

1427 A.C

In 1427, The Triple Alliance was forged between Tenochtitlan, Tlacopan and Texcoco. Following this, Itzcoatl became the king of Tenonchtitlan while also effectively becoming the first emperor of the new Empire formed as a result of the alliance. During his reign, the Aztec Empire defeated many other tribes and states in the valley of Mexico and effectively ended the domination of the Tepaneca and firmly established the foundations of the Aztec Empire.

The Reign of Montezuma

1440 A.C

Montezuma I was the second Aztec Emperor. During his reign, a double aqueduct pipe system was built to bring fresh water to the city of Tenochtitlan.

He expanded the Empire beyond the Valley of Mexico so that it reached the Gulf Coast. His reign consolidated the Aztec Empire and made Tenochtitlan effectively the most important part of the Triple Alliance.

Tenochtitlan Great Flood

1452 A.C

In the year 1452, the Lake Texcoco overflowed ravaging the city of Tenochtitlan and damaging it severely. Following this, the city was rebuilt under Ahuitzotl in an even grander way.

Montezuma II

1502 A.C

Montezuma II ruled Tenochtitlan from 1502 to 1520. During his reign, the Aztec Empire reached its largest size.

In 1519, the Spaniards under the leadership of Hernan Cortes reached the Aztec Empire. Cortes met Montezuma in 1519 and earlier meetings began on a friendly note but soon the Aztec and Spaniards were pitted against each other.

With the death of the Montezuma II in 1520, possibly at the hands of Spaniards, the Aztec Empire fell.

Aztec Comet

1517 A.C

In 1517, a comet was seen in the sky which the Aztecs interpreted as the harbinger of doom and destruction. When Hernan Cortes reached the gates of Tenochtitlan in 1520, the people of the city were under the influence of this superstition according to some historians.

Spanish conquistador Hernan Cortes

1519 A.C

Hernan Cortes landed on the Gulf Coast in 1519 and reached Tenochtitlan at the end of 1519. He was received by the Emperor and hosted by him.

Soon afterwards, Spaniards led a massacre of the local population in the Great Temple in 1520 and fled. Cortes returned in 1520, laid siege to Tenochtitlan and the city fell to his army in early 1521.

Cuauhtemoc

1520 A.C

Cuauhtemoc ruled Tenochtitlan from 1520 to 1521, after the death of Montezuma II and before the city finally fell to Spaniards. He fought valiantly against the Spaniards but was finally taken prisoner in 1521 and ultimately executed by Cortes in 1525.

Cortes defeats the Aztecs

1520 A.C

Following the massacre in the Great Temple in 1520, Spaniards fled the city fearing repercussions. Cortes was away when the incident happened. He later returned with an army and laid siege to Tenochtitlan which finally fell in 1521 with the capture of Cuauhtemoc.

Rebuilding the city of Tenochtitlan

1540 A.C

Cortes undertook the rebuilding of the city and renamed it Mexico City. He rebuilt the main square of the city and named it Plaza Mayor.