Tenochtitlán
Tenochtitlán was the capital of the ancient Aztec empire, situated in the Valley of Mexico on an island in a large lake. By 1519, it boasted a population of around 150,000, making it larger than many contemporary European cities such as Venice and London. The city's name means "place of the cactus" in Nahuatl, reflecting a foundational myth in which the Aztecs were led to the site by an eagle perched on a cactus, devouring a snake. Originally, Tenochtitlán developed from a modest island into a vibrant urban center, characterized by intricate canals that facilitated trade and transportation.
Central to the city were its grand temples, including the prominent Temple of Huitzilopochtli, where human sacrifices were conducted, and the emperor's palace, which served as both residence and administrative hub. Tenochtitlán featured various urban amenities, including markets, zoos, and workshops, showcasing the sophistication of Aztec society. Despite its grandeur, Tenochtitlán was largely destroyed by Spanish forces in 1521, marking a significant turning point in history. Today, its remnants lie beneath modern Mexico City, yet its legacy continues to influence Mexican culture and identity.
Subject Terms
Tenochtitlán
Category: City
Date: c. 1300-1521
Location: Present-day Mexico City
Culture affected: Aztec
Tenochtitlán was the capital city of the ancient Aztec empire, which extended from the Valley of Mexico to the shores of the Gulf of Mexico on the east, the Pacific on the west, and northern Guatemala on the south. Tenochtitlán so impressed the Spanish soldier Bernál Díaz de Castillo, who entered the city with Hernán Cortés, that he claimed it was larger than any European city of the sixteenth century.
With a population of about 150,000 by 1519, Tenochtitlán was indeed larger than Venice or London. The city grew from modest beginnings, however; it began as a lump of mud in the shallow lake that filled much of the Valley of Mexico. The Aztecs, or Mexica as they called themselves, were latecomers to the valley, and they were driven to this sanctuary by the already established tribes which lived along the shores of the lake. Later, Aztec mythology would claim that the wandering tribe found this site through a prophecy. They were told that their wanderings would cease when they beheld an eagle sitting on a cactus, eating a snake. The city’s name, Tenochtitlán, means “place of the cactus” in Nahuatl, the Aztec language. This symbol, now depicted on the flag of Mexico, reflects the greatness that the Aztecs would obtain.
Tenochtitlán was located on an island; it was a water city, divided by hundreds of canals and waterways. As the city grew and more dry land emerged, these canals provided a means of transportation to the lake shore for trade as well as into the lake for fishing. Later, causeways were built and bridges constructed. The neighboring district of Tlatelolco, another island emerging from the lake, was joined to Tenochtitlán, and the two grew together, eventually forming a square with each side about two miles long. The central avenue connected Tenochtitlán with the lake shore, and two aqueducts brought drinking water down from the hills at Chapultepec.
In the center of the city were the main temples and the house of the emperor. The greatest temple was that of the Aztec war god, Huitzilopochtli, at which human sacrifices were offered regularly. There were also temples to the gods Quetzalcóatl and Tezcatlipoca as well as a school for the nobility’s sons. The palace of the emperor served both as his residence and as the administrative center of the empire. The palace had two stories. On the upper level were the rooms of the ruler’s family. The ground floor contained administrative offices, along with the treasury, storehouses, and rooms for servants.
The Aztec capital held many urban amenities. There were zoos and aviaries, and markets where numerous items could be purchased. Corn, fruit, beans, and peppers were sold in one location; elsewhere, there were skins and cloth. Prepared foods were available, and there was a place for craftsmen who worked with bricks, wood, precious stones, and feathers. Although now buried beneath modern Mexico City, Tenochtitlán was the greatest metropolis of the Americas until it was largely destroyed by the Spanish in 1521.