Tenochtitlan

Definition

Tenochtitlan was the capital city of the Aztec Empire, located on an island in Lake Texcoco in central Mexico. It was one of the largest and most advanced cities in the pre-Columbian Americas, serving as the political, economic, and cultural center of the Aztec civilization.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Tenochtitlan was founded in 1325 CE by the Aztecs, who saw an eagle devouring a snake while perched on a prickly pear cactus, which they interpreted as a sign to establish their city on that location.
2. The city was built using a system of artificial islands and canals, with a large central marketplace and numerous temples, palaces, and other impressive structures.
3. Tenochtitlan had a population of over 200,000 people at its peak, making it one of the largest cities in the world at the time.
4. The Aztec capital was a highly organized and advanced city, with a complex system of agriculture, trade, and government that supported its large population.
5. Tenochtitlan was eventually conquered by the Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés in 1521, leading to the downfall of the Aztec Empire and the establishment of the Spanish colonial rule in Mexico.

Review Questions

• Describe the significance of Tenochtitlan in the context of the Aztec Empire and its role in Mesoamerican history.
  • Tenochtitlan was the capital and the political, economic, and cultural center of the Aztec Empire, one of the most advanced pre-Columbian civilizations in Mesoamerica. As a highly organized and populated city, Tenochtitlan was a symbol of the Aztec's power and influence in the region. Its conquest by the Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés in 1521 marked the downfall of the Aztec Empire and the beginning of Spanish colonial rule in Mexico, making Tenochtitlan a pivotal site in the history of the Americas.
• Analyze the unique features of Tenochtitlan's urban design and infrastructure, and explain how they contributed to the city's success and influence.
  • Tenochtitlan was built on an island in Lake Texcoco, using a system of artificial islands and canals to create a highly organized and efficient urban layout. This unique design allowed the city to support a large population and engage in extensive trade and agriculture. The central marketplace, temples, palaces, and other impressive structures showcased the Aztec's advanced architectural and engineering capabilities, which contributed to Tenochtitlan's status as one of the largest and most influential cities in the pre-Columbian Americas.
• Evaluate the impact of the Spanish conquest of Tenochtitlan on the Aztec Empire and the broader consequences for the indigenous populations of Mesoamerica.
  • The Spanish conquest of Tenochtitlan in 1521 marked the downfall of the Aztec Empire and the beginning of Spanish colonial rule in Mexico. This event had far-reaching consequences for the indigenous populations of Mesoamerica, as it led to the decimation of the Aztec and other Mesoamerican civilizations through disease, warfare, and the imposition of European political, economic, and cultural systems. The fall of Tenochtitlan, a symbol of Aztec power and influence, was a pivotal moment that ultimately reshaped the trajectory of Mesoamerican history and the lives of its native inhabitants.

Related terms

Aztec Empire: The Aztec Empire was a powerful pre-Columbian civilization that ruled over much of Mesoamerica in the 15th and 16th centuries, with Tenochtitlan as its capital.

Lake Texcoco: Lake Texcoco was the lake on which the island city of Tenochtitlan was built, located in the Valley of Mexico.

Mesoamerica:

Mesoamerica is a cultural area in the Americas, extending from central Mexico to Costa Rica, that was home to advanced pre-Columbian civilizations like the Aztec.