Among the Mesoamerican cultures, the Aztec Empire is one of the most popular. It had been in existence since the arrival of the Europeans in the earlier parts of the 16th century. It was established after a 'Triple Alliance' of city-states situated in Mexican valleys namely Tenochtitlan, Tenochtitlan, Texcoco, and Tlacopan. It was the dominant empire in the region for more than a century, says an article.

Despite the abundant presence of Hispanic influence in Mexican culture, it still has several co-relations with Aztec civilization and Mesoamerican culture influences. This makes modern cultures a combination of the New and Old World.

Here are some exciting facts about the Aztec Empire:

The people from the Aztec Empire called themselves as Mexica.

The word Aztec may not have been used by the actual group of people. The word refers to the people of Aztlán. Aztlán is the name of the ancestral home of the Aztecs. The ancestral home of the Aztecs was believed to be located in the northern part of Mexico or the southwestern part of the United States of America.

Aztec people call themselves Mexica. The people were reported to have spoken the Nahuatl language. Approximately three million people still speak the indigenous language in some parts of central Mexico.

Mexica came from northern Mexico.

People who speak Nahua started to migrate to the Basin of Mexico approximately in 1250 AD. The Mexica were the last group of migrants who arrived. During their arrival, the fertile lands were already claimed.

Tenochtitlan was discovered in 1325 AD.

The Aztecs moved to Lake Texcoco. It was told that it was a place where an eagle was spotted to have nested on cactus while eating a snake. This is the symbol placed in the middle part of the Modern Mexican flag. This event was perceived as a prophecy. This had brought to the discovery of Tenochtitlan on the island on March 13, 1325.

The Tepanecs were defeated and they became the most powerful state in Mexico.

Since 1367, the Aztecs had been providing military support to Tepanec, a nearby state. This move had led to the significant expansion of their empire.

In 1426, the ruler of Tepanec died and Maxlatzin, his son, had taken his place in his father's throne. He wanted to reduce the power of the Aztecs but was lost the battle later.

The empire was not entirely an empire.

The Aztec empire rulers were not the same as the European empire's rule with its subjects. An example of a famous European empire is the Roman Empire. The Aztecs did not practice direct control over nearby city-states in their scope of rule. What the Aztecs did is that they allowed local rulers to take charge of their subjects. Then, they required every local ruler for regular tribute. This order led to the great wealth of the Tenochtitlan.

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