The Aztec Empire: Tenochtitlan and the Triple Alliance

Tenochtitlan was the capital city of the Aztec Empire, located on an island in the middle of Lake Texcoco in the Valley of Mexico.

The Triple Alliance was formed by the city-states of Tenochtitlan, Texcoco, and Tlacopan in the 15th century, establishing the Aztec Empire's dominance in central Mexico.

Agriculture was the primary economic activity of the Aztecs, with maize (corn) being their staple crop. They developed advanced agricultural techniques, including chinampas (floating gardens) and irrigation systems.

Axayacatl was the Aztec ruler known for his military conquests and expansionist policies. He extended the Aztec Empire's territory and strengthened its military power.

Huitzilopochtli was the Aztec god of war and human sacrifice. He was considered the patron deity of Tenochtitlan and was often depicted as a hummingbird or an eagle warrior.

Stone was the primary building material used by the Aztecs in their architecture. They constructed impressive temples, palaces, and pyramids, many of which still stand today.

Nezahualcoyotl was the Aztec ruler known for his reforms and cultural achievements. He established the Aztec calendar, promoted education and the arts, and built extensive public works.

The Aztec calendar consisted of two interlocking cycles: the Xiuhpohualli (365-day solar calendar) and the Tonalpohualli (260-day ritual calendar).

Nahuatl was the primary language spoken by the Aztecs. It was the lingua franca of the Aztec Empire and was used for communication, trade, and administration.

Cuauhtémoc was the Aztec ruler known for his resistance against the Spanish conquistadors led by Hernán Cortés. He succeeded Moctezuma II and continued the fight against the Spanish, but was eventually captured and executed.

Hernán Cortés was the Spanish conquistador who led the expedition that resulted in the fall of the Aztec Empire. He arrived in Mexico in 1519 and, with the help of indigenous allies, conquered Tenochtitlan in 1521.

Moctezuma I was the Aztec ruler known for his diplomatic skills and efforts to maintain peace and stability within the Aztec Empire. He expanded the empire through alliances and diplomacy rather than military conquest.

Chalchiuhtlicue was the Aztec goddess of water, fertility, and childbirth. She was often depicted as a young woman with a headdress made of jade and a skirt of flowing water.

Moctezuma II was the Aztec ruler known for his ambitious building projects. He expanded Tenochtitlan and constructed the Great Pyramid of Tenochtitlan, which was the largest pyramid in the Aztec Empire.

Tlaloc was the Aztec god of rain, thunder, and lightning. He was often depicted as a man with a blue face and a headdress made of clouds and lightning bolts.