A civilization in central Mexico that achieved military and political dominance in many parts of Mesoamerica during the 14th, 15th, and 16th centuries.
The Aztec capital, Tenochtitlan, was founded on an island in the center of Lake Texacoco. They chose this site because a myth said the city was to be built when they saw an eagle eating a snake on a fruit bearing cactus. Supposedly they saw this where Tenochtitlan was built*.

The Aztec government was presided over by an emperor (tlatoani) and the surrounding lands were expected to pay tribute to the Aztecs.The social hierarchy of the Aztec civilization was divided into three different classes. The highest class, pipiltin, were considered nobility. The second class, macehualtin, were the peasants, artisans, and craftsmen. The lowest class, tlacotin, were slaves. People could become tlacotin as a result of debts, criminal punishment, or war captives. The Aztec civilization had a unique social system in that it was not hereditary-based. Not every person that was a member of the noble class had family in that class. Likewise, people born to slaves did not have to remain in slavery; they could be freed.

The Aztecs valued music and poetry. They would have poetry contests at most of the Aztec festivals, along with performances by acrobats, singers, and dancers. A surprising amount of poetry was created because poetry was considered one of the only appropriate activities for an Aztec warrior to perform during times of peace.

The Aztecs were also known for their cruel rituals and human sacrifices. Many of their beliefs were originally from the Toltec Empire, but the Aztecs adapted them into their own culture, they had intense religious beliefs.

The Aztec civilization reached its height during Ahuitzotl's reign from 1486 to 1502. Ahuitzol's successor, Montezuma, reigned for 17 years until Hernan Cortes and the Spaniards landed in Mexico in 1519. Montezuma was killed and the Aztecs began a steady decline.

*This story is memorialized on the Coat of Arms of Mexico.