Introduction | Browse the Aztec Pantheon

It was 1100 and the Aztecs were led south into pre Mexico Mexico by Huitzilopochtli, the left-handed hummingbird, in search of a new home. By an enormous stroke of luck they stopped at lake Texcoco to fill their waterbags and spotted an eagle standing on a cactus. This sight fulfilled an ancient prophecy, so they put down sticks and called their new gaff Tenochtitlan.

Much frivolity followed, with human sacrifice, drinking, human sacrifice, eating, human sacrifice, dancing and .. human sacrifice high on the agenda. The Aztecs believed they were on a sacred mission to save their world, returning the favour of sustenance to the Gods who had sacrificed themselves to create human life at the beginning of time. People were literally fighting to get up the altar steps to have their chests set on fire and hearts ripped out...

'Hey its for a good cause.. we're going straight to heaven, right?'

Their good fortune didn't last though.

Moctezuma began his rule in 1448 - apart from drinking 50 plus cups of hot chocolate per day his biggest achievement was the construction of a double aquaduct pipe system to provide fresh water. In a cruel twist of irony Tenochtitlan was destroyed by floods four years later and a great famine followed.

Axayacatl carved the Aztec calender then Tizoc began rebuilding the grand pyramid of Tenochtitlan, a job that was completed by his younger brother Ahuitzotl when he came to power. Next up was the new and improved Moctezuma 2, the empire expanded south into Mayan territories, they were at their peak and everything was tickedy-boo...

Until Cortez rocked up with the Spaniards!

? IN A NUTSHELL

Database entry : 21 May 2008 ~ Last update : 21 May 2008