Aztec Empire

The capital of the Aztec Empire was Tenochtitlan, an impressive city built on an island in Lake Texcoco. Today, the ruins of Tenochtitlan are located in the central area of modern-day Mexico City. The city was famous for its complex system of canals, chinampas (floating gardens), and massive temples.

The Aztec Empire fell in 1521 following a prolonged siege of Tenochtitlan by Spanish conquistadors. The campaign was led by Hernán Cortés, who formed alliances with various indigenous rivals of the Aztecs. The fall of the capital marked the end of the empire's dominance in central Mexico.

Moctezuma II was the emperor of the Aztec Empire when Hernán Cortés and the Spanish conquistadors arrived in 1519. He is famously known for initially welcoming the Spanish, believing Cortés might be the returning god Quetzalcoatl. He died during the Spanish occupation of Tenochtitlan under mysterious circumstances.

The Aztec Empire, also known as the Triple Alliance, was officially formed in 1428. This alliance united three city-states in the Valley of Mexico: Tenochtitlan, Texcoco, and Tlacopan. From this foundation, the empire rapidly expanded its territory through aggressive military conquests.