← Explore on the interactive map

Tenochca Polity (Precursor to the Aztecs)

Type Object Region Mesoamerica Time c. 1325–1428

The Tenochca polity was the early city-state–alliance political body the Mexica (Aztec) people established at Tenochtitlan on Lake Texcoco, centered …

Timeline

  1. c. 1325–1375Tenochtitlan · MexicoThe Mexica founded Tenochtitlan on an island in the lake; initially subject to the rulers of Azcapotzalco, they exchanged tribute and military service for survival, gradually forming a distinctive priest–warrior aristocratic structure.
  2. c. 1376–1407Lake Texcoco basin · State of MexicoUnder Acamapichtli the Tenochca threw off vassalage and allied with Nezahualcoyotl of Texcoco to jointly oppose Azcapotzalco; the Tenochca polity took shape as the state apparatus of an independent city-state.
  3. c. 1407–1428Tenochtitlan · MexicoUnder Chimalpopoca and Itzcoatl the Tenochca continued to expand and build up their tribute network, defeating Azcapotzalco around 1428 and paving the way for the formal Aztec Triple Alliance with Texcoco and Tlacopan.

Sources