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Home » Native American History

Aztec Timeline

Published: Feb 2, 2018 · Modified: Nov 9, 2023 by Russell Yost · This post may contain affiliate links ·

The Aztecs were one of the thriving civilizations that were located in the New World when the Europeans first came. Much like the Western civilizations, their rise to become a dominant power in the region was gradual and took centuries to develop.

aztec empire timeline

When the Aztec civilization collapsed, it left a vacuum that would be filled with the Spanish and eventual European powers.

These natives would eventually blend into the new rulers of the New World, and their heritage and DNA would never be pure again. Here is a look at a timeline of their rise to power and eventual fall.

Jump to:
  • Aztec Timeline: Migration and Settlement of Mexico
  • Aztec Timeline: Foundations of an Empire
  • Aztec Timeline: Height of the Empire 
  • Aztec Timeline: The Fall and Conquest of Mexico

Aztec Timeline: Migration and Settlement of Mexico

6th century:

First Nahuatl, speaking peoples begin to settle in present-day Mexico

1110:

The Mexica travel from their northern homeland of Aztlan. These early dates and the existence and location of Aztlan are often disagreed on.

1110-1248:

The Mexica roam for over a century from place to place until they find a place 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

Aztec Timeline: Foundations of 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, had a relatively short reign. He is assassinated 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 of 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

Aztec Timeline: 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, the 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, the most famous of the Aztec kings and the ninth king of Tenochtitlán

1510:

Severe floods in Tenochtitlán

Aztec Timeline: The Fall and Conquest of Mexico

1517:

The appearance of a comet is believed to signify impending doom

March 4. 1519:

Landing of Hernan Cortes on the Yucatan Peninsula

November 8, 1519:

Cortes arrives in Tenochtitlán

1520:

Cortes allies with Tlaxcala, enemies of the Aztecs, assault on the empire begins.

July 1, 1520:

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 Cuitahuac, the tenth king of Tenochtitlán, dies from the first smallpox epidemic to hit the empire. He was the last king of the city

August 13, 1521:

Tenochtitlán falls to Hernan Cortes and the Spanish. The great Aztec city was destroyed

1522:

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

1525:

Cuauhetemoc is hung by the Spaniards

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