Origins of the empire
The Aztecs were a nation of warriors, who took over the Mesoamerican area between the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. Their empire spanned from central Mexico and southward. Most records and books on the history of these peoples were burned in the time of Itzcoatl, leaving most of the information of the origins left in myth or legend. Although some of these legends contradict themselves, we are left with some idea of how they came about.
According to the legends, the Aztecs originally came from Aztlan, which was most likely located in the southeastern region of the present-day US. They were forced into emigration in order to maintain survival. This long wandering was said to last two centuries, until they finally arrived in the Mexican Valley. Upon their arrival, they found great land, with irrigated water coming from the snow peaked mountains. They decided to stay in this "paradise", although the area was already occupied.
The Aztecs offered mercenary services to the already existing nations of the area. Culhuacan was a city which accepted the Aztecs. They allowed them to inhabit an area called Tizaapan. Tizaapan was an unsettled area, but it was infested with poisonous snakes. The Aztecs took to eating the snakes, which surprised the Culhuacan people. Relations with the Culhuacan began well. The lord of their city allowed them to trade with his peoples. He also gave his daughter to the Aztec chief, Huitzilopochtli for marriage. The Aztecs sacrificed the princess and used her skin as a dressing for a priest to preform a ceremonial dance, celebrating the marriage. Appalled by this act, the lord of Culhuacan banished the Aztecs from the land and declared war upon them in 1323.
The Aztecs moved on to a deserted islet on Lake Texcoco and took refuge there. This area was not a good place because the only source of vegetation were cactus and reeds. They were forced to eat larvae, flies, worms, eggs and other findings. These foods were eventually integrated into their diet, even when other food was available. On this islet, legend has it that their god, Huitzilopochtli, sent them a sign, which was an eagle perched on a prickly pear with a snake clasped in its beak. This islet is where Tenochtitlan, their capital, was founded in 1325.
According to the legends, the Aztecs originally came from Aztlan, which was most likely located in the southeastern region of the present-day US. They were forced into emigration in order to maintain survival. This long wandering was said to last two centuries, until they finally arrived in the Mexican Valley. Upon their arrival, they found great land, with irrigated water coming from the snow peaked mountains. They decided to stay in this "paradise", although the area was already occupied.
The Aztecs offered mercenary services to the already existing nations of the area. Culhuacan was a city which accepted the Aztecs. They allowed them to inhabit an area called Tizaapan. Tizaapan was an unsettled area, but it was infested with poisonous snakes. The Aztecs took to eating the snakes, which surprised the Culhuacan people. Relations with the Culhuacan began well. The lord of their city allowed them to trade with his peoples. He also gave his daughter to the Aztec chief, Huitzilopochtli for marriage. The Aztecs sacrificed the princess and used her skin as a dressing for a priest to preform a ceremonial dance, celebrating the marriage. Appalled by this act, the lord of Culhuacan banished the Aztecs from the land and declared war upon them in 1323.
The Aztecs moved on to a deserted islet on Lake Texcoco and took refuge there. This area was not a good place because the only source of vegetation were cactus and reeds. They were forced to eat larvae, flies, worms, eggs and other findings. These foods were eventually integrated into their diet, even when other food was available. On this islet, legend has it that their god, Huitzilopochtli, sent them a sign, which was an eagle perched on a prickly pear with a snake clasped in its beak. This islet is where Tenochtitlan, their capital, was founded in 1325.
The Aztec God Huitzilopochtli