By History And Culture Media

12/7/2025

Tenochtitlan: The Aztec Capital of the Valley of Mexico

Tenochtitlan was the magnificent capital of the Aztec Empire, founded in 1325 CE on an island in Lake Texcoco in the Valley of Mexico. At its height in the early 16th century, it was one of the largest and most advanced cities in the world, with an estimated population of over 200,000 people. Today, its ruins lie beneath Mexico City, preserving the legacy of one of the greatest civilizations in pre-Columbian America.

Founding of Tenochtitlan

According to Aztec legend, the Mexica people were guided by their god Huitzilopochtli to settle where they saw an eagle perched on a cactus, devouring a serpent.

• This vision, seen on a small island in Lake Texcoco, became the foundation of Tenochtitlan.
  
  

• The city was strategically located for defense and trade, with causeways connecting it to the mainland.
  
  

Urban Layout and Architecture

Tenochtitlan was a masterpiece of Aztec engineering:

• Canals and Causeways: Allowed for transportation and controlled flooding.
  
  

• Chinampas (Floating Gardens): Provided fertile farmland to feed the growing population.
  
  

• Templo Mayor: The main temple dedicated to Huitzilopochtli (war and sun god) and Tlaloc (rain god).
  
  

• Palaces and Marketplaces: The city featured vast plazas, the royal palace, and Tlatelolco market, one of the largest in the Americas.
  
  

Life in the Aztec Capital

• Religion: Central to daily life, with temples, rituals, and festivals honoring the gods.
  
  

• Economy: Based on agriculture, tribute from conquered territories, and vibrant trade in goods such as cacao, textiles, and obsidian.
  
  

• Society: Highly organized, with nobles, warriors, priests, merchants, and commoners each playing distinct roles.
  
  

The Spanish Conquest

In 1519 CE, Hernán Cortés and his Spanish forces arrived in the Valley of Mexico.

• Initially welcomed by Emperor Moctezuma II, the Spanish exploited political rivalries among subject peoples.
  
  

• In 1521, after a brutal siege, Tenochtitlan fell to the Spanish, marking the end of the Aztec Empire.
  
  

• Much of the city was destroyed, and the Spanish built Mexico City on its ruins.
  
  

Legacy of Tenochtitlan

• Cultural Symbol: The eagle, cactus, and serpent from the founding myth are now on Mexico’s national flag.
  
  

• Archaeological Importance: Excavations of the Templo Mayor and other structures reveal the city’s grandeur.
  
  

• Historical Influence: Tenochtitlan remains a symbol of Indigenous resilience and ingenuity.
  
  

Conclusion

Tenochtitlan was more than just a city—it was the heart of the Aztec world, a center of religion, politics, and culture in pre-Columbian Mesoamerica. Its rise and fall reflect the achievements and tragedies of one of history’s most remarkable civilizations, whose legacy continues to shape Mexico’s identity today.

Further Reading

• Bernardino de Sahagún, The Florentine Codex

• Bernal Diaz, The Conquest of New Spain

• Diego Durán, History of the Indies of New Spain

• Domingo Francisco de San Antón Muñón Chimalpahin Cuauhtlehuanitzin, Codex Chimalpahin 

• Fernando Alvarado Tezozómoc, Crónica 

• Francisco López de Gómara, Historia de la conquista de México

• Hernán Cortés, Letters From Mexico

• Motolinía (Toribio de Benavente), Historia de los Indios de la Nueva España

• Anonymous, Codex Azcatitlan

• Anonymous, Codex Borbonicus 

• Anonymous, Codex Boturini 

• Anonymous, Codex Chimalpopoca

• Anonymous, Codex Aubin

• Multiple Writers, Codex Mendoza

Sources

• Bernardino de Sahagún, The Florentine Codex

• Bernal Diaz, The Conquest of New Spain

• Diego Durán, History of the Indies of New Spain

• Domingo Francisco de San Antón Muñón Chimalpahin Cuauhtlehuanitzin, Codex Chimalpahin 

• Fernando Alvarado Tezozómoc, Crónica 

• Francisco López de Gómara, Historia de la conquista de México

• Hernán Cortés, Letters From Mexico

• Motolinía (Toribio de Benavente), Historia de los Indios de la Nueva España

• Anonymous, Codex Azcatitlan

• Anonymous, Codex Borbonicus 

• Anonymous, Codex Boturini 

• Anonymous, Codex Chimalpopoca

• Anonymous, Codex Aubin

• Multiple Writers, Codex Mendoza

• Tenochtitlan, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tenochtitlan, 12/7/2025