Tenochtitlan

Tenochtitlan, also known as Mexico-Tenochtitlan, was a large Mexican city in what is now the historic center of Mexico City. The city was built on an island in Lake Texcoco in the Valley of Mexico. The exact date it was founded is unclear, but the date 13 March 1325 was later chosen to celebrate the city's 600th anniversary.

The city was the capital of the expanding Aztec Empire during the 15th century until it was captured by the Tlaxcaltec and the Spanish in 1521. At its peak, Tenochtitlan was the largest city in the pre-Columbian Americas. Today, the ruins of Tenochtitlan can still be found in the historic center of Mexico City. The World Heritage Site of Xochimilco contains what remains of the water, boats, and floating gardens that were part of the Mexica capital.

Tenochtitlan was one of two Mexica city-states on the island, the other being Tlatelolco.

Etymology

The name Tenochtitlan is believed to come from the Nahuatl language, using words for "rock" and "prickly pear." This might mean "Among the prickly pears growing among rocks." However, because of some old writings, we are not completely sure about the exact meaning. Some think the city was also named after a person called Tenoch.

Geography

Tenochtitlan was a large city that covered about 8 to 13.5 km² (3.1 to 5.2 sq mi). It was built on an island in the shallow Lake Texcoco.

The city was linked to the mainland by bridges and roads called causeways. These roads had openings that let canoes and boats pass through. The city had many canals, so people could travel by foot or by canoe.

Lake Texcoco was one of five connected lakes and had salty water. A long wall called the "levee of Nezahualcoyotl" was built to keep fresh water from springs near the city and to keep the salty water away. Two long pipes called aqueducts brought fresh water from springs at Chapultepec for cleaning and washing.

City planning

The city of Tenochtitlan was built on an island in the middle of a lake. It was divided into four big zones, and each zone had 20 smaller neighborhoods. Streets and canals helped people move around the city.

There were big markets where people traded goods. The center of the city had many important buildings, like temples and the home of the ruler. These buildings were carefully planned and had to follow strict rules. The ruler's palace had special rooms for guests and even places to keep animals and plants.

Social classes

Tenochtitlan had a very organized way of grouping people into different levels. The most common people, called macehualtin, lived outside the main city island. The pipiltin, or noblemen, were related to leaders and lived inside the city. Some commoners could earn special respect for their skills and be treated like nobles, called cuauhipiltin. At the top were the teteuctin, who ruled different parts of the empire, including the king. There were also tlacohtin, who were slaves or indentured servants, and pochteca, merchants who traveled far to trade goods. Being a merchant was a hereditary job, and they didn’t have to pay taxes.

People showed their status by where and how they lived. Ordinary families lived in simple houses made of reeds and mud. Wealthier families had houses made of adobe bricks, and the richest lived in stone houses with flat roofs. The highest officials lived in large palace complexes in the city. Families were also grouped into units called calpōlli by family ties or where they lived. These groups included both rich and poor, with leaders helping commoners and receiving services and tribute in return.

History

Tenochtitlan was the capital city of the Mexica people, founded in 1325. The Mexica believed an ancient prophecy that they would find the perfect place for their city when they saw an eagle with a snake in its beak perched on a cactus. They saw this vision on a small, swampy island in Lake Texcoco, which is now part of Mexico City. Despite the difficult terrain, they built their city using a special system of gardens on the water to grow food and make the island bigger.

The city grew into a large and powerful center, becoming the largest city in Mesoamerica. It had trade routes that reached far away places, including the Gulf of Mexico, the Pacific Ocean, and possibly even the Inca Empire. After a flood, the city was rebuilt between 1486 and 1502, becoming even grander.

Hernan Cortés arrived in Tenochtitlan in 1519. At the time, the city had between 200,000 and 400,000 people, making it one of the largest cities in the world. The Spanish were amazed by its size and beauty. However, tensions rose, and eventually, the Spanish besieged the city for over 90 days, leading to its destruction. The city was rebuilt as the new Spanish capital, Mexico City, on the same location.

Conquest

When Cortés and his men came to Tenochtitlan, Moctezuma II welcomed them, hoping they were ambassadors. However, problems soon arose. After some Spanish officers were killed by local leaders, Cortés detained Moctezuma. The Spanish then laid siege to the city for over 90 days, causing hardship for its people. The city was destroyed and rebuilt under Spanish control.

Colonial era

Main article: History of Mexico City

Cortés built the new Spanish capital, Mexico City, on the ruins of Tenochtitlan. The Spanish created a special area in the center of the city for themselves, while the indigenous people lived in separate parts. Despite many native residents dying from diseases brought by the Spanish, they still had a strong presence in the city. The Spanish built their city with straight streets and plazas, while the indigenous areas had a more natural layout.

Ruins

The main temple of Tenochtitlan, called the Templo Mayor, was destroyed when the Spanish built a cathedral on top of it. Its location was rediscovered in the 20th century. Today, Mexico City's main square, the Zócalo, is located where the original center of Tenochtitlan was. Archaeologists have found important artifacts, including a large stone calendar and many human bones, showing the history of the ancient city.