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What was the primary capital city of the Aztec Empire (1350-1519 CE)?

A) Cusco
B) Machu Picchu
C) Tenochtitlan
D) Tikal

1 Answer

2 votes

Final answer:

The primary capital city of the Aztec Empire from 1350-1519 CE was Tenochtitlan (C). This city served as the center for political, religious, and cultural activities and was the hub for the Aztec civilization. Conquered by Hernán Cortés in 1521, its complex urban plan included significant structures like the Aztec Templo Mayor and was situated on an island where Mexico City now stands.

Step-by-step explanation:

The primary capital city of the Aztec Empire (1350-1519 CE) was C) Tenochtitlan. Tenochtitlán not only served as the political and religious center of the Aztec civilization but also as the hub for trade and culture. As described in historical accounts, the city was a grand conurbation featuring intricate infrastructure, including the famed Aztec Templo Mayor, which lay at the city's heart. This city's design was deeply influenced by the Aztec cosmology, symbolically laid out to align with cardinal directions, and it was encircled by a massive wall.

Hernán Cortés, the Spanish conquistador, captured Tenochtitlan in 1521 with the help of alliances with local tribes, the interpreting skills of Doña Marina, and the devastating impact of European diseases on the indigenous population. Tenochtitlán was the clear leader and the most magnificent city of its time, boasting a population of approximately 100,000 people and eventually growing into the sprawling and influential Aztec Empire. The city's impressive layout included temples, pyramids, and palaces and was located on an island in what is now Mexico City.

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