Aztec Mask Mexico Travel Postcard

The Aztecs were a powerful Mesoamerican civilization that thrived in central Mexico from the 14th to the early 16th century. They established their capital, Tenochtitlán, on an island in Lake Texcoco, where modern-day Mexico City now stands. Known for their advanced engineering, the Aztecs built an impressive network of canals, aqueducts, and chinampas (floating gardens) to sustain their urban population. Their society was highly stratified, with a ruling emperor, a noble class, and a priesthood that played a central role in religious and political life. The Aztecs worshipped a pantheon of gods, including Huitzilopochtli, the god of the sun and war, and practiced rituals such as human sacrifice to ensure cosmic balance and agricultural fertility. Their culture flourished with advancements in astronomy, mathematics, and art, producing intricate codices, sculptures, and temples. The Aztec Empire reached its height before falling to Spanish conquistadors led by Hernán Cortés in 1521, marking the end of one of the most remarkable civilizations in the Americas.