The "Aztec" Empire (jan 1, 1427 – jan 1, 1524)

Description:

Initially an alliance of three city states of Nahua ethnicity and language, the Aztecs themselves would have referred to themselves as "Mexica". The word Aztec has a separate etymology, relating to the mythological origin of their people.

In time Tenochtitlan would come to dominate the other two city states and effectively govern as an Empire. Its rapid growth by conquest ensure its controversial legacy as many of its neighbours loathed the wars brought by the Mexica Empire.

An especially militaristic entity, the Mexica held a special place for their deity of the sun and war, Huitzilopochtli. The scale at which the Mexica of Tenochtitlan arranged human sacrifices was likely unheard of in Mesoamerica. While the exact number is debated it was very likely in the thousands or tens of thousands per year.

Those sacrificed were most often captured in wars fought deliberately to obtain human captives.

They would ultimately be conquered by Spain and their native allies who resented "Aztec" dominance.

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