Mesoamerican Postclassic City-State System

Timeline

1. c. 900–1100Tula and Chichén Itzá · MexicoAfter the decline of Toltec centers and the collapse of Classic-period cities in the Maya lowlands, Mesoamerica entered the Postclassic. Power was reorganized around smaller but highly ritualized urban centers; the city-state (altepetl) became the basic political unit, and rulers proclaimed sacred authority through temple-palace complexes.
2. c. 1200–1290Azcapotzalco · Valley of MexicoThe Tepanecs of Azcapotzalco established hegemony, controlling most city-states of the Valley of Mexico and collecting tribute. City-states like Tenochtitlan and Texcoco rose within the hegemonic system, forming a polycentric city-state network bound by tribute, marriage and military obligations.
3. c. 1291–1300Tenochtitlan and Mayapán · Yucatán PeninsulaBy the late 13th century Tenochtitlan in the Valley of Mexico continued expanding within the Tepanec system, the Maya-Pan alliance in Yucatán maintained peninsular political integration, and the Tarascan Empire in western Michoacán became an independent power. Long-distance trade (obsidian, cacao, feathers, textiles) and rivalrous networks among city-states reached their peak.
4. 1428–1521Tenochtitlan · Valley of MexicoTenochtitlan joined with Texcoco and Tlacopan to overthrow Tepanec hegemony, establishing the Aztec Triple Alliance and further expanding the tribute empire. In 1521 Cortés's allied forces captured Tenochtitlan; the Postclassic city-state system ended in colonial reorganization, but the altepetl concept continued to be used in the colonial period.