Final answer:
The Aztecs or Mexica were renowned for founding Tenochtitlan and forming an extensive pre-Hispanic empire in Mesoamerica. They built a sophisticated urban center with complex societal structures, advanced agriculture, and a devout religious life that included human sacrifices. Their legacy continues to be integral to the cultural heritage of modern Mexico.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Aztec Empire
The people commonly known as the Aztecs were originally the Mexica, a nomadic tribe that settled and founded the city of Tenochtitlan in 1325 on an island in Lake Texcoco. As the core of Mesoamerica's last great pre-Hispanic empire, the Aztecs became a dominant force in the region.
They excelled through trade, military prowess as mercenaries, and eventually formed the Triple Alliance, alongside Texcoco and Tlacopan, becoming the central power in an empire that spanned from Central Mexico to Guatemala.
Tenochtitlan, which is now the site of Mexico City, was a city of great size and sophistication with an estimated population of 100,000 at its peak. By the 16th century, under Emperor Moctezuma II, the Aztec Empire had reached unparalleled heights of cultural and social complexity, with a highly structured society from nobles to slaves, robust trading networks, and rich religious practices, including human sacrifices.
Aztec Achievements and Conquests
Renowned for their achievements in agriculture, urban development, and arts, the Aztecs built upon cultural advancements from earlier Mesoamerican civilizations. Despite their eventual downfall due to the Spanish conquest and the alliances they had subjugated, the Aztecs left a lasting legacy.
Many of their architectural feats and advances in engineering, such as the creation of artificial islands for agriculture, still marvel scholars today. Draining swampy lands and building extensive causeways that connected their island metropolis with the mainland were among their many accomplishments.
Cultural Significance and Legacy
The Aztecs' belief system was integral to their identity, with gods such as Tezcatlipoca and Quetzalcoatl deeply woven into the fabric of Aztec life. Their empire, though primarily known through Spanish chronicles, spawned a wealth of artistic expression and codices that reveal the intricacies of their society. In present-day Mexico, the influence of the Aztec civilization remains a cornerstone of cultural heritage.