History
What is The Aztecs?
The Aztecs were a powerful civilization that ruled central Mexico from the 14th to the 16th century. From their island capital Tenochtitlan, they built a vast empire known for advanced farming, striking architecture, and a rich religion — until Spanish conquest in 1521.
See it, don’t just read it.
Watch a 2-minute lesson with voice + animation that explains the aztecs.
Key things to understand
- 1They dominated central Mexico from the 1300s to the 1500s.
- 2Their capital, Tenochtitlan, sat on an island in a lake (now Mexico City).
- 3They used clever 'floating garden' farming to feed a huge population.
- 4The empire fell to Spanish conquistadors and disease in 1521.
Frequently asked questions
- Where did the Aztecs live?
- In central Mexico, centered on their island capital Tenochtitlan, on the site of modern Mexico City.
- What were the Aztecs known for?
- A powerful empire, advanced farming, monumental temples, a complex calendar, and a rich religious culture.
- Why did the Aztec Empire fall?
- Spanish conquistadors, local rivals, and devastating European diseases brought it down in 1521.