The Aztecs were the dominant culture in fifteenth- and sixteenth-century Mesoamerica before the Spanish conquistadors invaded, although they were not known as “Aztecs” until the nineteenth century. They were known as the Mexica (may-she-ka) or Tenochca. The name Aztec was used to describe the people of Mesoamerica by a German explorer in 1810, based on the word Aztlan, the mythical homeland of the Mexica.

What was the Aztec Empire?

The Aztec Empire was an alliance of three city-states in Mesoamerica, Mexico-Tenochtitlan, Texcoco, and Tlacopan.

What language did they speak?

Aztecs, or Mexica (me-shee-ka), spoke Nahuatl (na-wat). Over one and a half million people in Mexico speak Nahuatl today.

How many Aztecs were there?

The capital city of the Aztec Empire, Tenochtitlan, had a population of about 200,000 and about 5 million people lived under the rule of the Aztecs.

When did the Aztecs rule?

Tenochtitlan was founded in the 13th century and rapidly expanded until the empire covered much of what is now central and southern Mexico. They ruled until their defeat against the Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés in 1521.

What did Aztecs eat?

Aztec grew maize (corn), beans and squash, tomatoes, potatoes and chili peppers. Fruit harvests included guavas, papayas and apples. They also kept bees for honey and hunted for wild game. Meals included porridge and tortillas with beans. They made a chocolate drink by grinding roasted cacao pods into a powder and mixing it with hot water. Most Aztecs had a meal in the morning and their main meal mid-afternoon.

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Did you know?

The word chocolate comes from the Nahuatl word xocolatl (sho-coh-la-til)