Aztec Timeline

By Ayushg
  • 1100

    1100

    The Aztecs leave their homeland of Aztlan in northern Mexico and begin their journey south. Over the next 225 years the Aztecs will move many times until they finally settle down at the city of Tenochtitlan.
  • Period: 1140 to 1469

    1440 - 1469

    Montezuma I rules and greatly expands the empire.
  • 1200

    1200

    The Aztecs arrive in the Valley of Mexico.
  • 1250

    1250

    They settle in Chapultepec, but are forced to leave by the Culhuacan tribe.
  • 1325

    1325

    The city of Tenochtitlan is founded. It will become the capital of the Aztec Empire. The location is picked by the priests because it is where they see the foretold sign of an eagle holding a snake while standing on a cactus.
  • 1350

    1350

    The Aztecs begin to build causeways and canals around Tenochtitlan.
  • 1375

    1375

    The first dominant ruler of the Aztecs, Acamapichtli, comes into power. They call their ruler the Tlatoani which means "speaker".
  • 1427

    1427

    Itzcoatl becomes the fourth ruler of the Aztecs. He will found the Aztec Empire.
  • 1428

    1428

    The Aztec Empire is formed with a triple alliance between the Aztecs, the Texcocans, and the Tacubans. The Aztecs defeat the Tepanecs.
  • 1440

    1440

    Montezuma I becomes the fifth leader of the Aztecs. His rule will mark the height of the Aztec Empire.
  • 1452

    1452

    The city of Tenochtitlan is damaged by a great flood. The next few years are filled with famine and starvation.
  • 1487

    1487

    The Templo Mayor (Great Temple of Tenochtitlan) is finished. It is dedicated to the gods with thousands of human sacrifices.
  • 1502

    1502

    Montezuma II becomes ruler of the Aztec Empire. He is the ninth of the Aztec kings.
  • 1517

    1517

    The Aztec priests mark the sighting of a comet in the night sky. They believe the comet was a sign of impending doom.
  • 1519

    1519

    Spanish conquistador Hernan Cortes arrives in Tenochtitlan. The Aztecs treat him as an honored guest, but Cortez takes Montezuma II prisoner. Cortez is driven from the city, but Montezuma II is killed.
  • 1520

    1520

    Cuauhtémoc becomes the tenth emperor of the Aztecs. Cortes forms an alliance with the Tlaxcala and begins to attack the Aztecs.
  • 1521

    1521

    Cortes defeats the Aztecs and takes over the city of Tenochtitlan.
  • 1522

    1522

    The Spanish begin to rebuild the city of Tenochtitlan. It will be called Mexico City and will be the capital of New Spain.