Final answer:
The Aztecs originated from a mythical land called Aztlan and settled in the Valley of Mexico, founding Tenochtitlan as foretold by their god Huitzilopochtli. Their empire flourished in central Mexico and was marked by the construction of their capital city, cultural dominance, and the practice of human sacrifices. The Aztec origin story provided cultural and political significance to their civilization.
Step-by-step explanation:
Origins of the Aztecs
The origins of the Aztecs trace back to a mythical homeland called Aztlan. According to Aztec legend, they migrated from Aztlan, embarked on a long journey marked by battles and divine signs, and finally settled in the Valley of Mexico. The culmination of their migration tale is the founding of Tenochtitlan on an island in Lake Texcoco in 1325, as instructed by their god Huitzilopochtli, where they saw an eagle perched on a cactus with a snake. This image became emblematic of the founding of their great city.
The Aztecs' powerful empire was established in what is today central Mexico, reaching its zenith with the capital of Tenochtitlan at its center, a sophisticated city formed through alliances and conquests. The story of their origins served not only to emphasize their divine destiny but also to validate the rule of different leaders over time, lending cultural and political significance to their empire.
Aztec civilization was marked by their use of human sacrifices to appease their gods, a practice that contributed to the resentment from neighboring city-states, which later facilitated the conquering of the Aztecs by the Spanish, with the help of these neighboring peoples. Their detailed origin story and the subsequent development of their society are pieced together using various sources, including Spanish accounts and Aztec codices.