Aztec Empire: Difference between revisions
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{{Quote|I observe the strange customs and rituals of the Aztec people. They are happy to provide me with religious drawings and to share their legends, despite the complexity of translation.|Giovanni Borgia, 1520.|Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy|Rome: Chapter 4 – Giovanni Borgia}} | {{Quote|I observe the strange customs and rituals of the Aztec people. They are happy to provide me with religious drawings and to share their legends, despite the complexity of translation.|Giovanni Borgia, 1520.|Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy|Rome: Chapter 4 – Giovanni Borgia}} | ||
{{Regime Infobox | {{Regime Infobox | ||
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|ruling_house= | |ruling_house= | ||
|affiliation= | |affiliation= | ||
|languages= {{wiki|Nahuatl}} {{c|''lingua franca''}} | |languages= {{wiki|Nahuatl}} {{c|''lingua franca''}} | ||
|religion= {{wiki|Aztec religion}} | |religion= {{wiki|Aztec religion}} | ||
|demonym= Aztec | |demonym= Aztec | ||
|major_cities= {{wiki|Texcoco}}<br>{{wiki|Tlacopan}} | |major_cities= {{wiki|Texcoco}}<br>{{wiki|Tlacopan}} | ||
|founder(s)= | |founder(s)= | ||
|date_founded=1428 | |date_founded=1428 | ||
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|last_ruler= | |last_ruler= | ||
}} | }} | ||
The '''Aztec Empire''' was an alliance of three {{wiki|Nahuas|Nahua}} {{wiki|Altepetl|city-states}}, [[Tenochtitlan]], {{wiki|Texcoco}}, and {{wiki|Tlacopan}} which ruled | The '''Aztec Empire''' was an alliance of three {{wiki|Nahuas|Nahua}} {{wiki|Altepetl|city-states}}, [[Tenochtitlan]], {{wiki|Texcoco}}, and {{wiki|Tlacopan}}, which ruled what is present-day [[Mexico]] during the 15th and 16th centuries. | ||
In 1519, Emperor [[Moctezuma II]] established contact with the [[Spain|Spanish]] conquistador [[Hernán Cortés]] and his contingent of soldiers. In the events that ensued throughout the next two years, the Aztec Empire was finally defeated by a force of around 1,500 [[Spanish Army|Spanish soldiers]] supported by hundreds of thousands of indigenous followers, who laid a decisive siege upon the capital of [[Tenochtitlan]] in 1520. | In 1519, Emperor [[Moctezuma II]] established contact with the [[Spain|Spanish]] conquistador [[Hernán Cortés]] and his contingent of soldiers. In the events that ensued throughout the next two years, the Aztec Empire was finally defeated by a force of around 1,500 [[Spanish Army|Spanish soldiers]], supported by hundreds of thousands of indigenous followers, who laid a decisive siege upon the capital of [[Tenochtitlan]] in 1520. | ||
==History== | ==History== | ||
===Early Spanish contact=== | |||
[[File:Religious Observance PL.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Giovanni Borgia with the Aztecs]] | [[File:Religious Observance PL.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Giovanni Borgia with the Aztecs]] | ||
In 1520, the Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés led a group of explorers to Mexico, among them an undercover [[Assassins|Assassin]], [[Giovanni Borgia]]. Upon their arrival in Mexico, they made contact with several Nahua and [[Maya]] groups and acquired translators in order to facilitate communication with the regions' various societies including the Nahuatl-speaking populace of the Aztec Empire.<ref name="PL - Rome: Chapter 4">''[[Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy]]'' – [[Rome: Chapter 4 – Giovanni Borgia]]</ref> | In 1520, the Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés led a group of explorers to Mexico, among them an undercover [[Assassins|Assassin]], [[Giovanni Borgia]]. Upon their arrival in Mexico, they made contact with several Nahua and [[Maya]] groups and acquired translators in order to facilitate communication with the regions' various societies, including the Nahuatl-speaking populace of the Aztec Empire.<ref name="PL - Rome: Chapter 4">''[[Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy]]'' – [[Rome: Chapter 4 – Giovanni Borgia]]</ref> | ||
Emperor Moctezuma II allowed for the Spanish expedition to be brought to the capital city of the Aztec realm, Tenochtitlan, where he greeted them warmly and allowed the soldiers accommodations within his own palace. Whether this was out of the belief that they were gods or to learn their weaknesses was questioned by many of the Spaniards.<ref name="PL - Rome: Chapter 4" /> | Emperor Moctezuma II allowed for the Spanish expedition to be brought to the capital city of the Aztec realm, Tenochtitlan, where he greeted them warmly and allowed the soldiers accommodations within his own palace. Whether this was out of the belief that they were gods or to learn their weaknesses was questioned by many of the Spaniards.<ref name="PL - Rome: Chapter 4" /> | ||
| Line 38: | Line 35: | ||
===Night of Sorrows=== | ===Night of Sorrows=== | ||
{{Main|Night of Sorrows}} | {{Main|Night of Sorrows}} | ||
As the Aztec people celebrated the arrival of their "gods" through the Festival of Toxcatl, many of the Aztec nobles present were adorned with fine gold and jewelry. While the Spanish became envious over the vast swathes of wealth before them, Giovanni searched for | As the Aztec people celebrated the arrival of their "gods" through the Festival of Toxcatl, many of the Aztec nobles present were adorned with fine gold and jewelry. While the Spanish became envious over the vast swathes of wealth before them, Giovanni searched for a [[Piece of Eden]], which he knew was somewhere in the city.<ref name="PL - Rome: Chapter 4" /> | ||
The Spanish, including Giovanni, were eventually led to the Main Temple, where they witnessed the Aztec clergy sacrificing one of their own as a tribute to the gods. During the ritual, Giovanni noticed a priest holding a [[Crystal Skulls|Crystal Skull]], and he immediately recognized it as the Piece of Eden he had been looking for; he quietly assassinated the priest and took the skull.<ref name="PL - Rome: Chapter 4" /> | The Spanish, including Giovanni, were eventually led to the Main Temple, where they witnessed the Aztec clergy sacrificing one of their own as a tribute to the gods. During the ritual, Giovanni noticed a priest holding a [[Crystal Skulls|Crystal Skull]], and he immediately recognized it as the Piece of Eden he had been looking for; he quietly assassinated the priest and took the skull.<ref name="PL - Rome: Chapter 4" /> | ||
[[File:Ventriloquism PL.jpg|thumb|250px | [[File:Ventriloquism PL.jpg|thumb|250px|Moctezuma speaking to his people]] | ||
Upon witnessing the display of human sacrifice, the Spaniards – either out of disgust or the opportunity to strike – began to massacre the unarmed citizens of Tenochtitlan, though they were eventually driven back into Moctezuma's palace. They then forced the hostage Moctezuma II to speak to his people, during which he urged them to return to order. However, his people refused to listen, and proceeded to stone their Emperor to death.<ref name="PL - Rome: Chapter 4" /> | Upon witnessing the display of human sacrifice, the Spaniards – either out of disgust or the opportunity to strike – began to massacre the unarmed citizens of Tenochtitlan, though they were eventually driven back into Moctezuma's palace. They then forced the hostage Moctezuma II to speak to his people, during which he urged them to return to order. However, his people refused to listen, and proceeded to stone their Emperor to death.<ref name="PL - Rome: Chapter 4" /> | ||
Shortly after, the Spaniards attempted to sneak out of the city | Shortly after, the Spaniards attempted to sneak out of the city under the cover of night, but were engaged by Aztec forces during their escape. Although the ensuing battle killed many of the Spanish soldiers (many of whom drowned from being weighed down by huge sums of gold), some of them managed to flee the Aztec realm, wherein a few returned to [[Europe]].<ref name="PL - Rome: Chapter 4" /> | ||
In the early 18th century, [[France| | ===Legacy=== | ||
In the early 18th century, the [[France|French]] [[Piracy|pirate]] [[Alonzo Batilla]] recovered several Aztec treasures formerly owned by Hernán Cortés.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Pirates]]'' – [[Alonzo Batilla's treasures]]: "Hernán Cortés - The Spanish Conquistador"</ref> | |||
==Appearances== | ==Appearances== | ||
{{GalleryBox|Aztec Empire}} | |||
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy]]'' {{1st}} | *''[[Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy]]'' {{1st}} | ||
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Pirates]]'' {{C|collections only}} | *''[[Assassin's Creed: Pirates]]'' {{C|collections only}} | ||
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==References== | ==References== | ||
{{reflist}} | {{reflist}} | ||
[[Category:Indigenous peoples of the Americas]] | [[Category:Indigenous peoples of the Americas]] | ||
[[Category:Aztecs| ]] | [[Category:Aztecs| ]] | ||
[[Category:Mexico]] | |||
[[Category:Former empires]] | [[Category:Former empires]] | ||
Latest revision as of 17:08, 20 August 2025
The Aztec Empire was an alliance of three Nahua city-states, Tenochtitlan, Texcoco, and Tlacopan, which ruled what is present-day Mexico during the 15th and 16th centuries.
In 1519, Emperor Moctezuma II established contact with the Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés and his contingent of soldiers. In the events that ensued throughout the next two years, the Aztec Empire was finally defeated by a force of around 1,500 Spanish soldiers, supported by hundreds of thousands of indigenous followers, who laid a decisive siege upon the capital of Tenochtitlan in 1520.
History[edit | edit source]
Early Spanish contact[edit | edit source]
In 1520, the Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés led a group of explorers to Mexico, among them an undercover Assassin, Giovanni Borgia. Upon their arrival in Mexico, they made contact with several Nahua and Maya groups and acquired translators in order to facilitate communication with the regions' various societies, including the Nahuatl-speaking populace of the Aztec Empire.[1]
Emperor Moctezuma II allowed for the Spanish expedition to be brought to the capital city of the Aztec realm, Tenochtitlan, where he greeted them warmly and allowed the soldiers accommodations within his own palace. Whether this was out of the belief that they were gods or to learn their weaknesses was questioned by many of the Spaniards.[1]
Night of Sorrows[edit | edit source]
- Main article: Night of Sorrows
As the Aztec people celebrated the arrival of their "gods" through the Festival of Toxcatl, many of the Aztec nobles present were adorned with fine gold and jewelry. While the Spanish became envious over the vast swathes of wealth before them, Giovanni searched for a Piece of Eden, which he knew was somewhere in the city.[1]
The Spanish, including Giovanni, were eventually led to the Main Temple, where they witnessed the Aztec clergy sacrificing one of their own as a tribute to the gods. During the ritual, Giovanni noticed a priest holding a Crystal Skull, and he immediately recognized it as the Piece of Eden he had been looking for; he quietly assassinated the priest and took the skull.[1]
Upon witnessing the display of human sacrifice, the Spaniards – either out of disgust or the opportunity to strike – began to massacre the unarmed citizens of Tenochtitlan, though they were eventually driven back into Moctezuma's palace. They then forced the hostage Moctezuma II to speak to his people, during which he urged them to return to order. However, his people refused to listen, and proceeded to stone their Emperor to death.[1]
Shortly after, the Spaniards attempted to sneak out of the city under the cover of night, but were engaged by Aztec forces during their escape. Although the ensuing battle killed many of the Spanish soldiers (many of whom drowned from being weighed down by huge sums of gold), some of them managed to flee the Aztec realm, wherein a few returned to Europe.[1]
Legacy[edit | edit source]
In the early 18th century, the French pirate Alonzo Batilla recovered several Aztec treasures formerly owned by Hernán Cortés.[2]
Appearances[edit | edit source]
- Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy (first appearance)
- Assassin's Creed: Pirates (collections only)
- Assassin's Creed IV Black Flag: Blackbeard – The Lost Journal (mentioned only)
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy – Rome: Chapter 4 – Giovanni Borgia
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Pirates – Alonzo Batilla's treasures: "Hernán Cortés - The Spanish Conquistador"