---
title: Tenochtitlan
author: Mark Cartwright
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/Tenochtitlan/
format: machine-readable-alternate
license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/)
updated: 1970-01-01
---
# Tenochtitlan
_Authored by [Mark Cartwright](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/markzcartwright/)_
Tenochtitlan (also spelled Tenochtitlán), located on an island near the western shore of Lake [Texcoco](https://www.worldhistory.org/Texcoco/) in central Mexico, was the capital [city](https://www.worldhistory.org/city/) and religious centre of the [Aztec civilization](https://www.worldhistory.org/Aztec_Civilization/). The traditional founding date of the city was 1345 CE and it remained the most important [Aztec](https://www.worldhistory.org/Aztec_Civilization/) centre until its destruction at the hands of the conquering Spanish led by [Hernán Cortés](https://www.worldhistory.org/Hernan_Cortes/) in 1521 CE, which led to the final collapse of the [Aztec Empire](https://www.worldhistory.org/Aztec_Civilization/). At the heart of the city was a large sacred precinct dominated by the huge [pyramid](https://www.worldhistory.org/pyramid/), known as the [Temple](https://www.worldhistory.org/temple/) Mayor, which honoured the gods [Huitzilopochtli](https://www.worldhistory.org/Huitzilopochtli/) and [Tlaloc](https://www.worldhistory.org/Tlaloc/). The site, now Mexico City, continues to be excavated and has yielded some of the greatest treasures of [Aztec art](https://www.worldhistory.org/Aztec_Art/) such as the celebrated [Sun Stone](https://www.worldhistory.org/Sun_Stone/) as well as art objects the Aztecs themselves collected from the other great civilizations of Mesoamerica.
### In [Mythology](https://www.worldhistory.org/mythology/)
In Aztec mythology the founders of the city migrated from the legendary Aztlán cave in the northwest desert which involved a protracted journey that eventually led to Lake Texcoco. During this migration priests had carried a huge idol of the [god](https://www.worldhistory.org/God/) Huitzilopochtli, who whispered directions, gave the Méxica their name and promised great wealth and prosperity if he was suitably worshipped. Along the way the Méxica settled at different spots, none of which really suited their purpose. A decisive event in the migration was the rebellion incited by Copil, son of Huitzilopochtli's sister Malinalxochitl. This was in revenge for the goddess' abandonment by the Méxica but with Huitzilopochtli's help Copil was killed. The great [war](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/War/) god instructed that the rebel's heart be thrown as far as possible into Lake Texcoco and where it landed would indicate the place the Méxica should build their new home, the precise spot being marked by an eagle sitting on a prickly-pear cactus (*nopal*) and devouring a snake. This is exactly what came to pass and the new capital of Tenochtitlan was built, the traditional date being 1345 CE.
The name of the city derives from *tetl* meaning rock, *nochtli*, the prickly-pear cactus and *tlan*, the locative suffix. Of similar origin is the term Tenocha which the Méxica sometimes called themselves and the name of their quasi-legendary priest-leader Tenoch.
### The City
Although the city was destroyed and over the following centuries extensively built over, the chroniclers of the 16th century CE, fortunately, recorded in great detail the buildings and works of art that had once made Tenochtitlan one of the greatest cities in Mesoamerica and, with over 200,000 residents, certainly the most populous. These records and the extensive and continuing [archaeology](https://www.worldhistory.org/Archaeology/) at the site mean that we know more about Tenochtitlan than any other city from the great [Mesoamerican civilizations](https://www.worldhistory.org/collection/109/mesoamerican-civilizations/).
As Bernal Diaz del Castillo, one of Cortés' men put it on first seeing the city:
> It was like the enchantments in the book of Amadis, because of high towers, rues \[[pyramids](https://www.worldhistory.org/pyramid/)\] and other buildings, all of masonry, which rose from the water. Some of the soldiers asked if what they saw was not a dream.
> (Miller, 239)
Tenochtitlan covered, at its greatest extent, some 12-14 km² and was connected to the western shore of the lake and surrounding countryside by three causeways (running north, east and west) which included gaps traversed by removable bridges to allow boats to pass and which could be taken down in case of an attack on the city (something which never occurred until the Spanish arrived). There was also a stone [aqueduct](https://www.worldhistory.org/aqueduct/) which brought fresh water to the city from springs near the Chapultepec Hill. The lake provided an important source of food but good agricultural land was scarce and this fact would necessitate re-claiming land from the lake and, eventually, military [conquest](https://www.worldhistory.org/warfare/) to take land by force from neighbouring states. The surrounding *chinampa* or 'floating gardens' (mud rafts secured with willow trees) of their immediate neighbours were, therefore, seized and developed to meet the needs of the growing population in the city.
The city itself was laid out in a grid pattern with many canals permeating through the city. Besides the four main thoroughfares dissecting the city along the cardinal directions, most streets and canals were narrow, especially as there were no wheeled vehicles or beasts of burden so that goods were transported by porter or small boats and canoes. The canals, along with the many willow trees, flower gardens and white-plastered monuments gleaming in the sunlight, must have made for a picturesque city. As one Nahuatl poem describes:
> The city is spread out in circles of jade,
> radiating flashes of light like quetzal plumes,
> Besides it the lords are borne in boats:
> over them extends flowery mist.
> (Coe, 192)
The heart of the city was the walled ceremonial precinct with its three entrances, impressive temples and pyramids from which the city spread out into four principal residential quarters. These had sometimes vast palaces such as [Motecuhzoma](https://www.worldhistory.org/Montezuma/) I's old residence and the [palace](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/palace/) of Axayacatl, smaller flat-roofed stone residences for nobles and officials, huge market places (where all manner of basic and luxury goods could be purchased such as jade, [chocolate](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Chocolate/) and vanilla), judicial chambers, treasure houses, store-rooms, structures such as the Dance House and the Aviary, and closely packed areas of workshops (working especially [metal](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/metal/) and obsidian but also basketry using the local reeds) and small adobe brick and reed homes where the lower classes lived, although these too could be interspersed with small gardens.
[  Tenochtitlan HJPD (CC BY-SA) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/1438/tenochtitlan/ "Tenochtitlan")### The Sacred Precinct
The sacred precinct at the heart of Tenochtitlan contained, according to one eye-witness, 78 separate structures. Amongst the most important were the Temple Mayor of Tlaloc and Huitzilopochtli, which was flanked by the Eagle's House (named after its stone decoration) on one side and the pyramid of [Tezcatlipoca](https://www.worldhistory.org/Tezcatlipoca/) on the other. In front of the Temple Mayor stood the [gladiator](https://www.worldhistory.org/gladiator/) stone (where sacrificial victims were bound and attacked by 'knights'), a stone *tzompantli* (skull rack) and an I-shaped ball court. In the south west corner stood the Sun Temple of [Tonatiuh](https://www.worldhistory.org/Tonatiuh/) and a temple to [Quetzalcoatl](https://www.worldhistory.org/Quetzalcoatl/).
There was also a temple to the earth goddess Tonantzin and the Coateocalli building which housed, and in a sense spiritually captured, the statues of gods and various other artworks captured from conquered enemies. Finally, on the Tlaloc side of the Temple Mayor excavations have revealed a man-made mountain made of offerings and deposits which was designed to imitate Tlaloc's sacred mountain.
### The Temple Mayor
The Great Temple or Temple Mayor (called Hueteocalli by the Aztecs) takes centre stage in the sacred precinct. On top of the 60 m high pyramid platform, reached by two flights of steps, were two twin temples. The north side shrine was dedicated to Tlaloc, the god of rain and the other, on the south side, was dedicated to Huitzilopochtli, the god of war. The temple to Tlaloc marked the summer solstice (symbolic of the wet season) whilst Huitzilopochtli's marked the winter solstice (symbolic of the dry season and a time for [warfare](https://www.worldhistory.org/warfare/)). The monumental steps leading to Tlaloc's temple were painted blue and white, the former colour representing water, the element so strongly associated with the god. In contrast, the steps leading to Huitzilopochtli's temple were painted bright red to symbolise blood and war.
[  Temple Mayor, Tenochtitlan Wolfgang Sauber (CC BY-SA) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/1439/temple-mayor-tenochtitlan/ "Temple Mayor, Tenochtitlan")Sacrifices, including human ones, were carried out at both temples to feed and honour the gods. A typical sacrifice involved the victim having their heart ripped out, being skinned, decapitated and then dismembered. Following all that the corpse was flung down the steps of the pyramid to land at the base where a massive round stone depicted [Coyolxauhqui](https://www.worldhistory.org/Coyolxauhqui/), the goddess who was similarly treated by Huitzilopochtli in mythology.
### Destruction
When the Spanish arrived at Tenochtitlan, their leader Cortés had only 500 men and fewer than 20 horses at his disposal. However, by recruiting allies such as the Tlaxcalans, he was able to lay siege to the city which would eventually fall on the 13th of August 1521 CE. The great monuments were sacked and looted, works of art and precious objects were melted down and the Aztec [civilization](https://www.worldhistory.org/civilization/) collapsed. What was left of the city was made into the capital of New Spain, as the Spanish called their new colony.
### Archaeology
Excavations within the temples and buildings of Tenochtitlan began in the 20th century CE and have revealed the true complexity of the site's history. There is evidence, for example, that the sacred precinct was built over much earlier structures, that the temples themselves were reconstructed and added to many times and within them were buried offerings, for example, the coral, shells and sea-life interred deep within the Temple Mayor.
[  Map of the Rise and Fall of the Mexica (Aztec) Empire Simeon Netchev (CC BY-NC-ND) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/14181/map-of-the-rise-and-fall-of-the-mexica-aztec-empir/ "Map of the Rise and Fall of the Mexica (Aztec) Empire")
The city was stripped of anything of value following its collapse but, nevertheless, several stunning works of art have been, almost miraculously, recovered from Tenochtitlan. These include the iconic Sun Stone (aka [Calendar Stone](https://www.worldhistory.org/Sun_Stone/)), the great stone [sculpture](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Sculpture/) of [Coatlicue](https://www.worldhistory.org/Coatlicue/), the [Tizoc stone](https://www.worldhistory.org/article/609/the-tizoc-stone/), the huge round stone depicting Coyolxauhqui which rested at the foot of the Temple Mayor, the Temple Stone - a stone throne probably used by [Motecuhzoma II](https://www.worldhistory.org/Montezuma/) and decorated with gods and a sun disk, and finally, the blue ceramic anthropomorphic vessel depicting Tlaloc.
In addition to these magnificent works of Aztec art, excavation of the temples has revealed caches of art from many earlier Mesoamerican civilizations as far back as the Olmecs, illustrating that the Aztecs were appreciative and even reverent art collectors. Many richly decorated and finely made ceramic vessels have also been excavated which show that the Aztec artist was perhaps more skilled than had first been appreciated. The vast majority of these finds form part of the breathtaking collection of the National Museum of Anthropology in Mexico City, which has been, of course, constructed on top of the ancient site of Tenochtitlán.
#### Editorial Review
This human-authored definition has been reviewed by our editorial team before publication to ensure accuracy, reliability and adherence to academic standards in accordance with our [editorial policy](https://www.worldhistory.org/static/editorial-policy/).
## Bibliography
- [Almere Read, K. *Mesoamerican Mythology.* Oxford University Press, USA, 2002.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0195149092/)
- [Coe, M.D. *Mexico.* Thames & Hudson, 2013.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0500290768/)
- [Jones, D. *Mythology of Aztec & Maya.* Southwater, 2007.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/1844763978/)
- [Miller, M.E. *The Art of Mesoamerica.* Thames & Hudson, 2012.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0500204144/)
- [Miller, M.E. *The Gods and Symbols of Ancient Mexico and the Maya.* Thames & Hudson, 1993.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0500050686/)
- [Soustelle, J. *Daily Life of the Aztecs on the Eve of the Spanish Conquest.* Stanford University Press, 1961.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0804707219/)
- Townsend, R.F. *The Aztecs.* Thames & Hudson, London, 2009
## About the Author
Mark is WHE’s Publishing Director and has an MA in Political Philosophy (University of York). He is a full-time researcher, writer, historian and editor. Special interests include art, architecture and discovering the ideas that all civilizations share.
## Timeline
- **1345 CE**: Traditional date for the founding of the [Aztec](https://www.worldhistory.org/Aztec_Civilization/) capital of [Tenochtitlan](https://www.worldhistory.org/Tenochtitlan/) on Lake [Texcoco](https://www.worldhistory.org/Texcoco/).
- **1351 CE**: New Fire Ceremony celebrated by the Aztecs.
- **1375 CE - 1395 CE**: Acamapichtli reigns as leader of the Aztecs.
- **1396 CE - 1417 CE**: Huitzilihuitl reigns as leader of the [Aztec Empire](https://www.worldhistory.org/Aztec_Civilization/).
- **1403 CE**: New Fire Ceremony celebrated by the Aztecs.
- **1417 CE - 1426 CE**: Chimalpopoca reigns as leader of the [Aztec Empire](https://www.worldhistory.org/Aztec_Civilization/).
- **c. 1427 CE**: The [Sun Stone](https://www.worldhistory.org/Sun_Stone/) depicting the ages of the five suns of [Aztec](https://www.worldhistory.org/Aztec_Civilization/) [mythology](https://www.worldhistory.org/mythology/) is carved and set up at [Tenochtitlan](https://www.worldhistory.org/Tenochtitlan/).
- **1427 CE - 1440 CE**: Itzcoatl reigns as leader of the [Aztec Empire](https://www.worldhistory.org/Aztec_Civilization/).
- **1428 CE**: The Triple Alliance is formed between [Tenochtitlan](https://www.worldhistory.org/Tenochtitlan/), [Texcoco](https://www.worldhistory.org/Texcoco/) and Tlacopan.
- **1440 CE - 1469 CE**: [Motecuhzoma](https://www.worldhistory.org/Montezuma/) I reigns as leader of the [Aztec Empire](https://www.worldhistory.org/Aztec_Civilization/).
- **1455 CE**: New Fire Ceremony celebrated by the Aztecs.
- **1469 CE - 1481 CE**: Axayacatl reigns as leader of the [Aztec Empire](https://www.worldhistory.org/Aztec_Civilization/).
- **1481 CE - 1486 CE**: Tizoc reigns as leader of the [Aztec Empire](https://www.worldhistory.org/Aztec_Civilization/).
- **1486 CE - 1502 CE**: [Ahuitzotl](https://www.worldhistory.org/Ahuitzotl/) reigns as leader of the [Aztec Empire](https://www.worldhistory.org/Aztec_Civilization/).
- **1502 CE**: The large stone marker depicting the [Aztec](https://www.worldhistory.org/Aztec_Civilization/) goddess [Tlaltecuhtli](https://www.worldhistory.org/Tlaltecuhtli/) is carved at [Tenochtitlan](https://www.worldhistory.org/Tenochtitlan/).
- **1502 CE - 1520 CE**: [Motecuhzoma II](https://www.worldhistory.org/Montezuma/) reigns as leader of the [Aztec Empire](https://www.worldhistory.org/Aztec_Civilization/).
- **1507 CE**: New Fire Ceremony celebrated by the Aztecs.
- **Nov 1519 CE**: [Motecuhzoma II](https://www.worldhistory.org/Montezuma/) receives [Hernán Cortés](https://www.worldhistory.org/Hernan_Cortes/) at the [Aztec](https://www.worldhistory.org/Aztec_Civilization/) capital [Tenochtitlan](https://www.worldhistory.org/Tenochtitlan/).
- **1520 CE**: Cuitláhuac is briefly the successor to [Motecuhzoma II](https://www.worldhistory.org/Montezuma/) as leader of the [Aztec Empire](https://www.worldhistory.org/Aztec_Civilization/).
- **30 Jun 1520 CE**: [Death](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Death/) of [Aztec](https://www.worldhistory.org/Aztec_Civilization/) ruler [Motecuhzoma II](https://www.worldhistory.org/Montezuma/).
- **1521 CE**: [Texcoco](https://www.worldhistory.org/Texcoco/) provides ships and men to aide the Spanish siege of [Tenochtitlan](https://www.worldhistory.org/Tenochtitlan/).
- **1521 CE - 1525 CE**: Cuauhtémoc reigns as leader of the [Aztec Empire](https://www.worldhistory.org/Aztec_Civilization/).
- **Apr 1521 CE**: [Hernán Cortés](https://www.worldhistory.org/Hernan_Cortes/) begins the siege of [Tenochtitlan](https://www.worldhistory.org/Tenochtitlan/).
- **28 Apr 1521 CE**: [Hernán Cortés](https://www.worldhistory.org/Hernan_Cortes/) deploys 13 specially built warships on Lake [Texcoco](https://www.worldhistory.org/Texcoco/) during the siege of [Tenochtitlan](https://www.worldhistory.org/Tenochtitlan/).
- **13 Aug 1521 CE**: The [Aztec](https://www.worldhistory.org/Aztec_Civilization/) capital of [Tenochtitlan](https://www.worldhistory.org/Tenochtitlan/) falls into the hands of Spanish forces led by [Hernán Cortés](https://www.worldhistory.org/Hernan_Cortes/).
- **1527 CE**: The [audiencia](https://www.worldhistory.org/Audiencia/) is formed in Mexico [City](https://www.worldhistory.org/city/) (formerly [Tenochtitlan](https://www.worldhistory.org/Tenochtitlan/)).
## External Links
- [Tenochtitlan (The Impossible City)](https://ed.ted.com/on/ZtBfJPkz)
- [Tenochtitlan | Essay | The Metropolitan Museum of Art | Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History](https://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/teno_1/hd_teno_1.htm)
- [An Indigenous reframing of the fall of the Aztec empire | British Museum](https://www.britishmuseum.org/blog/indigenous-reframing-fall-aztec-empire)
## Cite This Work
### APA
Cartwright, M. (2013, September 25). Tenochtitlan. *World History Encyclopedia*.
### Chicago
Cartwright, Mark. "Tenochtitlan." *World History Encyclopedia*, September 25, 2013. .
### MLA
Cartwright, Mark. "Tenochtitlan." *World History Encyclopedia*, 25 Sep 2013, .
## License & Copyright
Submitted by [Mark Cartwright](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/markzcartwright/ "User Page: Mark Cartwright"), published on 25 September 2013. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/deed.en). This license lets others remix, tweak, and build upon this content non-commercially, as long as they credit the author and license their new creations under the identical terms. When republishing on the web a hyperlink back to the original content source URL must be included. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.