Introduction

<div style="background-image: -moz-linear-gradient(top, black 20%, #EA900E 80%); background-image: -webkit-gradient(linear, left top, left bottom, color-stop(0%,black), color-stop(100%, #EA900E)); background-image: -webkit-linear-gradient(top, black 0%, #EA900E 100%); background-image: -o-linear-gradient(top, black 0%, #EA900E 100%); background-image: -ms-linear-gradient(top, black 0%, #EA900E 100%); margin:5px 0 10px 0; padding:10px; border:2px solid white; border-radius:25px; font-size:130%; color:#FFF; text-shadow:1px 1px 4px #000; padding:10px"> the aztecs were an ancient empire spanning from the years 1428 - 1521 ad.   The empire began as an alliance between three city-states who settled in

the valley of mexico (present-day mexico city metropolitan area). This

alliance was known, and still is today, as the "triple alliance,"  and these

city-states were known as tenochtitlan, texcoco, and tlacopan. the aztecs

eventually conquered a large portion of what is now current-day southern mexico. Believe it or not, the aztecs did not start out in tenochtitlan! in fact,

they used to be a large nomadic tribe, travelling throughout the area we

now call mexico. legend has it that the aztec god of sun and war,

huitzilopotchi, promised a group of aztec priests that their home was to be

located wherever they found an eagle perched on a cactus, holding a snake

in its mouth (this is also the image in the center of the mexican flag). then,

one day, the priest spotted an eagle perched on a cactus, holding a snake in

its mouth. the aztecs couldn't believe: this place was to be their home! they

named it tenochtitlan, or "place of the prickly cactus."

the Aztec empire was a jaw-dropping civilization that has a myriad of

information on their culture and history (which our group has looked into).

They had a fascinating growth, at their peak in the mid-late 1400s, and conquered much land  throughout southern Mexico. They have an interesting downfall

story, as they were conquered by the great spanish conquistador hernan cortes (to come later!). the aztec culture is still around today,

and the civilization has definitely had an impact on the world. now, let's learn about the aztec culture!