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**﻿ **Aztec legend tells of Aztlan, a small island on a lake north of the Valley of Mexico that is the homeland of the Aztec ancestors. The Aztecs arrived in the Valley of Mexico around 1325 AD and resided on a barren island of Texcoco. This island did not provide the Aztecs with enough economic standing for them to flourish as a city-state. Around 1372, The Aztecs chose a king so they could establish power with neighboring city states. Acamapitchli, the first Aztec king married the daughters of other capolli, or leaders, and their children became nobles that had power both within Aztec control and with other city states. Over time, the Aztecs became tributaries of the Tepanec Empire where the power and influence of Aztec rulers grew.

Not long after the Aztecs became a part of the Tepanec empire, circumstances allowed the Aztecs to pave the way to becoming the dominating empire in Mesoamerica. In 1427 AD,. The third king, Chimalpopoca, was assasinated without an heir to take his place. Itzcoatl, a soldier and noble was chosen by the people to become the fourth Aztec king, changing the way Aztec rulers were chosen. Around the same time, the Tepanec ruler died and his heir was assasinated by a younger son who wanted the throne. Other lesser rulers, who had just as much claim to the throne, began to vie for the position as king of the Tepanec empire. The Tepanec Empire was weakened by the disruption of control, allowing the Aztecs a golden opportunity to overthrow their rulers.After the Aztecs and their allies conquered the Tepanec empire, the Aztecs seized control of Tepanec resources and tributaries. This made the Aztecs the reigning power in Mesoamerica until the arrival of the Spanish. The Aztecs remained the dominant empire in Mesoamerica until the arrival of Hernan Cortes in 1519 AD. The Aztecs sent Cortes' troops retreating to Tlaxcalan lands, despite their advanced weaponry. In 1521 AD, the Spanish laid seize on Tenochtitlan, but ultimately, it was small pox that weakened the Aztecs enough to allow their defeat at Cortes' hands.

This essay discusses the importance of warfare in the Aztec society and the the aspects of warfare from weaponry and armor to the motives that drove the Aztecs to conquering much of Mesoamerica.


 * = [[image:jaguarknight.jpg width="109" height="129" align="center" caption="Aztec Warrior" link="Aztec Warrior"]] ||= [[image:18feath_shield.JPG width="125" height="129" caption="Battle Strategy" link="Battle Strategy"]] ||= [[image:aztecs40.gif width="108" height="125" align="center" caption="Motivations" link="Motivations"]] ||= [[image:ceromonial-combat.jpg width="109" height="127" caption="Flowery War" link="Flowery War"]] ||= [[image:imagesCAQIKW3A.jpg width="133" height="134" caption="Conclusion" link="Conclusion"]] ||= [[image:books1.gif width="107" height="123" caption="Sources" link="Sources"]] ||= [[image:Huitzilopochtli.jpg width="118" height="127" caption="Links to class wikis" link="Wiki Links"]] ||