# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
The rich nobles lived in luxury. The Aztecs had slaves to do much of the work for them. The poor did not have slaves. The poor worked all the time.

The Rich: The rich lived in homes built of sun-dried brick and sometime stone. The homes had a coating of white wash to make them sparkle in the sun. Homes had a separate place for steam baths. Water was poured over hot stones to generate steam. Bathing was an important part of daily life. Steam baths were taken every day. Their clothes were colorfully embroidered and decorated with features. They carried fans made of feathers. Feathers were a sign of status.

The Poor: The poor were most farmers. They lived in huts with thatched roofs. They had little furniture. They wove mats for the floor and baskets to hold their belongings. They did have blankets. They had pots for cooking. Each home had a garden where the poor could grow food for themselves. Their clothes were simple and NEVER decorated with feathers. It was against the law for a commoner to carry anything made of or decorated with feathers. If they broke this law, they were killed.

All people, including children, had to follow a set code of behavior. Everything was written down. These were laws. They had to obey the laws or they could be killed. All kids went to school, even slaves. Everyone had to know the laws and follow them.

The Aztecs honored exceptional athletic ability. It's not surprising that they loved dangerous sporting events. But they also loved poetry. Their poetry was about love, and children, and war, and good deeds, and proper behavior. It was very ... Aztec, and reflected their daily life.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The rich nobles lived in luxury. The Aztecs had slaves to do much of the work for them. The poor did not have slaves. The poor worked all the time. The Rich: The rich lived in homes built of sun-dried brick and sometime stone.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
It's time to take a look at an Aztec timeline to get an overview of what happened during the times of this civilization.

Collectively, the people of the allied Central Mexican and American city states between the 12th century CE (AD) and the 15th century Spanish invasion are commonly referred to as the Aztecs. The Aztec empire was controlled primarily by a political body called the Triple Alliance, made up of the Acolhua people of Texcoco, the Mexica in Tenochtitlán, and the Tepaneca people of Tlacopan.

These three peoples, and three cities, were responsible for the domination of much of Mexico during the period we'll show in our Aztec timeline.

The symbols for the 3 cities which would make up
the famous Triple Alliance (see Aztec timeline below)
(L to R) Texcoco, Tenochtitlán (Mexico), and Tlacopán
The Aztec capital city was located at Tenochtitlán, which is the site of the modern Mexico city, and their empire covered nearly all of the current country of Mexico, extending down into other regions of Central America as well (see this Aztec map for details).

Over time, Tenochtitlán became the primary city of the Triple Alliance, and the Mexica became the rulers of the empire. Social stratification was significant, and religion played an important role in the spiritual and political life of the people.

An Overview - the Aztec Timeline

This Aztec timeline includes the generally agreed upon dates of major events in the empire. For various reasons, experts dispute some dates, but this will give you an idea of the flow of events in the history of the empire, up until its fall.

Foundation Of The Empire

6th century

First Nahuatl speaking peoples begin to settle in Mexico

1110

The Mexica travel from their northern homeland of Aztlan. These early dates, and the existence and location of Aztlan are hotly debated.

1110-1248

The Mexica roam the area which is now Mexico, trying to find a location in which to settle

1248

Mexica settle near Lake Texcoco, in Chapultepec, though they are soon expelled by the Tepanecs

1299

Mexica settle in Tizapan, by permission of the Culhuacan ruler Cocoxtli.

1325

Tenochtitlán is settled by the Mexica

Building an Empire

1350

Building of causeways with canals

1370

Death of Tenoch, religious ruler of the Mexica

1376-1395

The first king* of Tenochtitlán, Acamapichitli, rules

1390

Original construction of Templo Mayor beings in Tenochtitlán

1395-1417

The second king of Tenochtitlán, Huitzilihuitzli, rules. An alliance with the Tepaneca is created.

1417-1427

The third king, Chimalpopoca, has his relatively short reign. He is assasinated by the Tepaneca.

1427-1430

War with the Tepaneca. Up to this point the Tepaneca had been dominant in central Mexico, ruling from Azcapotzalco and taking tribute from the Mexica.

1430

Azcapotzalco conquered

1431

Establishment of the Triple Alliance between the Mexica, the Acolhua in the city Texcoco and the Tepaneca of Tlacopan. These cities became the foundation of the empire.

1427-1440

Tenochtitlán's fourth king, Itzcoatl, reigns

1452

Tenochtitlán severely damaged by flooding

1452-1454

Famine in Tenochtitlán

Height of the Empire

1440-1469

Reign of the fifth king, Moctezuma I, who is also referred to as Montezuma I

1469-1481

Tenochtitlán's sixth king, Azayactl, reigns

1481-1486

Reign of Tizoc, the seventh king of Tenochtitlán

1486-1502

Rule of Ahuitzotl, eighth king of the city

1487

Dedication of Great Temple (Templo Mayor) at Tenochtitlán. This was the 6th version of the temple.

1492

(Christopher Columbus's landing at Santa Domingo)

1502-1520

Reign of Moctezuma II, or Montezuma II, most famous of the Aztec kings and ninth king of Tenochtitlán

1510

Severe floods in Tenochtitlán

The Fall of the Empire

1517

The appearance of a comet, believed to signify impending doom

1519
4 March

Landing of Hernan Cortes on the Yucatan penninsula

Cortes arrives in Tenochtitlán

1520

Cortes allies with Tlaxcala, enemies of the Aztec, assault on the empire begins. On the 1st of July, the Spanish forces were driven back. The Spanish and their native allies suffered heavy losses. (This is known as la Noche Triste - The Sad Night)

1520

Rule of Cuitláhuac, tenth king of Tenochtitlán

1520

Cuitláhuac dies from smallpox. Rule of Cuauhetemoc, eleventh and last king of the city.

Fall of Tenochtitlán. Cuauhetemoc surrenders to Cortes, destruction of the city

1522

Rebuilding of the city by the Spanish as Mexico City, capital of New Spain

1525

Cuauhetemoc is hung by the Spaniards

* Note: In this Aztec timeline we refer to the ruler of Tenochtitlán as the city's "king". He would actually be called the Tlatcani, and as the main ruler of the ruling city he would be the Huey Tlatcani. Today, we often refer to the Huey Tlatcani of Tenochtitlán as the emperor. Read more about Aztec government.

Here is an Aztec timeline of emperors, with some information about each.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
It's time to take a look at an Aztec timeline to get an overview of what happened during the times of this civilization. Collectively, the people of the allied Central Mexican and American city states between the 12th century CE (AD) and the 15th century Spanish invasion are commonly referred to as the Aztecs.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Aztec History

Dig into the mysteries of Aztec history right here! What was ancient Aztec art and culture like? What about the Aztec religion? And the legendary Aztec sacrifices?

The Aztec Empire was peopled by a group that was once nomadic, the Mexicas. Their chroniclers told them that after their long journey from Aztlán, they found themselves to be outcasts, until they found the sign sent to them by their god Huitzilopochtli, and began to build their city. And so the Mexica peoples continued, and the Aztec Empire began.

The city of Tenochitlan was soon to become one of the largest cities in the world. The power of the Mexica peoples became more consolidated, and they began to form alliances. Their military power grew as well, and they began to conquer peoples in the surrounding areas.

At the height of its power, the Aztec Empire was organized and strong, but ruled with fear. In 1519, a clash of cultures was to take place, unlike anything before it. Although there was much tragedy in both the Spanish and Aztec empires before this, the meeting of the two civilizations was disastrous. In a few short years, the culture and structure of one of histories greatest empires would have virtually vanished.

Did you know...

It was against the law to be drunk in public in the Aztec empire, unless you were over 70 years old!

Each Aztec home had a steam bath!

It is said that the major Aztec weapon could chop off the head of a horse with one blow!

Read on for much more ancient Aztec history!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Dig into the mysteries of Aztec history right here! What was ancient Aztec art and culture like? What about the Aztec religion? And the legendary Aztec sacrifices? The Aztec Empire was peopled by a group that was once nomadic, the Mexicas.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Social class refers to the hierarchical distinctions between individuals or groups in societies or cultures. Normally, individuals are grouped into classes based on their economic positions and similar political and economic interests within their culture. The factors that determine class vary from one society to another.