According to mythology, the Aztecs came from a place named Aztlan, which would later become modern-day

Mexico. Many academics think that the Mexica—as the Aztecs called themselves—migrated south to central
Mexico in the 13th century, but it is unclear where Aztlan was.

According to tradition, their patron deity Huitzilopochtli gave the Mexica the order to build Tenochtitlan.
According to tradition, Huitzilopochtli instructed them to establish their village where a large eagle devouring a
serpent was perched on a cactus. Tenochtitlan was named after this town in the Mesoamerican area of Anáhuac,
which was built on a chain of five interconnected lakes. Tenochtitlan was established about 1325 CE, according
to archaeologists.

The Mexica at Tenochtitlan were once one of many little city-states in the area. They had to pay tribute to the
Tepanec, whose capital city was Azcapotzalco, and were under their rule. The Mexica formed an alliance with
Texcoco and Tlacopan in 1428. By forming the Aztec Triple Alliance, they were able to gain control of the area
and amass tribute from conquered nations.

The agricultural system that made it feasible to feed the populace was essential to Tenochtitlan's ascent to
power. One element of the system were the tiny, man-made islands known as chinampas that were constructed
above the sea. Tracking tributes required maintaining records. The Matricula de tributos and Codex Mendoza,
two pictographic documents that escaped Spanish destruction, describe the tributes made to the Aztecs.
Religious activities were also documented in the codices.

Aztec priests utilized a 365-day solar calendar paired with a 260-day ceremonial calendar for divination. The
Aztecs used both bloodletting (the offering of one's own blood) and human sacrifice as part of their religious
rituals at their main temple at Tenochtitlan, Templo Mayor. The bloodshed of the Spanish invasion is said to
have been largely caused by the Spanish response to Aztec religious rites.

Conquistador Hernando Cortés led the Spanish when they entered what is now Mexico in 1519. They were
searching for gold, and the presents from Motecuhzoma, the monarch of the Mexica, showed them where it was.
When Cortés arrived at Tenochtitlan, he imprisoned Motecuhzoma and tried to govern on his behalf. This did
not go well, and in June 1520, Cortés left the city.

However, the conversations did not stop here. The Aztec city was under siege by the Spanish conquistadors
from the middle of May 1521 until their capitulation on August 13, 1521. Texcoco, a previous member of the
Triple Alliance, helped them. Many parts of Tenochtitlan were either damaged during the battle, plundered,
burnt, or demolished following the city's capitulation. On top of the ruins, Cortés started to construct what is
now known as Mexico City, the capital of a Spanish colony of which he was designated governor.