Rise

The Aztecs formed near what is now Mexico City. Their greatest city was Tenochtitlan, which was built on an island in the middle of a lake. This made it a perfect place to live and defend. Enemies had to cross long bridges to reach the city, and the Aztecs could remove parts of the bridges if they were attacked.

Image by Gary Todd from Xinzheng, China - Painting of Tenochtitlan-Tlatelolco on Lake Texcoco, CC0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=108790696 

Tenochtitlan was clean, organized, and crowded with people. Canals ran through the city like streets, and boats moved people and goods everywhere. Floating farms existed around the lake. The city had markets, temples, palaces, and schools. Many visitors said it was more impressive than cities in Europe at the time.

The Aztecs became powerful by forming alliances and conquering nearby peoples. They demanded tribute, such as food, cloth, and goods, which helped their empire grow rich. They also became very rich in gold and silver. They used gold to make jewelry, masks, and decorations, especially for temples and rulers. The Aztecs collected tribute from cities they conquered, which often included gold and other valuable items. Big markets in Tenochtitlan were full of goods, and this wealth helped the Aztecs build large temples and palaces. Their gold later caught the attention of the Spanish.