From Confederation to Empire: The Rise of the Aztec Triple Alliance

In history, there are empires that merely exist in name and those that wield true power. The Roman Empire, for instance, possessed its imperial might two centuries before it was officially recognized as such. On the other hand, the Holy Roman Empire, despite its grand title, was little more than a confederation in practice. But if you're looking for a fascinating example of an empire in both name and substance, let us take you on a journey to ancient Mesoamerica, where a confederation transformed into the formidable Aztec Empire.

Picture this: a land teeming with rival city-states, each vying for supremacy. At the helm of one such city-state, Maxtla held a precarious grip on power in Azcapotzalco. But Maxtla's reign was not destined to last, for the Aztec confederation was about to change the course of history.

The turning point came with the quadripartite alliance—a remarkable coming together of Aztec, Texcoco, Tlacopan, and the newly formed Tlacatecuhtli, Motecuzoma Ilhuicamina. This was the birth of the Aztec Empire, though its nomenclature was still in the making.

Motecuzoma Ilhuicamina, known variously as “lightning from heaven” or “the choleric,” was the visionary who would organize a triarchy comprising Tenochtitlan, Texcoco, and the humble Tlacopan. This union was fueled by their shared goals: conquest, war, booty, and tribute. The spoils of war were divvied up, with Mexico claiming two-fifths, Texcoco taking two, and Tlacopan one.

The warriors of these three cities embarked on daring campaigns, venturing beyond the confines of the valley to places like Cuauhnahuac (modern-day Cuernavaca), Michoacán, and the Totonacan territories. The wealth flowed back to Tenochtitlan, where its Tlatoani, the Aztec ruler, reigned supreme. Temple spires and stonework rose, precious stones and vibrant feathers adorned the city, and raw materials of unparalleled quality were imported. Ilhuicamina had, in effect, laid the foundation for the Aztec Empire, a fact not lost on the Spaniards who would later encounter his successors.

Enter Axayacatl, who ruled from 1469 to 1481, a ruler with a penchant for eagle knights and ocelotl, or tiger knights, who proudly sported animal heads as helmets. Despite encircling Tepeticpac, the stronghold of the tenacious Tlaxcallan republic, and facing the unconquerable Tarascans of Michoacán, the Aztec forces reached as far as the Huasteca. These lands were inhabited by people of Mayan descent, heavily influenced by the Toltec tradition, which was, in essence, Nahuatl in nature.

The ancient Tlaltelolco, once a watchful guardian of the Aztecs during their early days on the islands, was incorporated into the city. As if in a result of progress, it appeared that greatness was just around the corner. Little did anyone know that a subtle revolution was brewing—a revolution that would grant common men, known as macehualtin, a rightful place in public life. The macehual was no longer a mere “vassal” but a warrior, and the splendor of Mexico-Tenochtitlan could be attributed to their efforts. A militaristic era was unfurling, a tide set in motion by Ilhuicamina himself.

Tizoc's reign, while noteworthy for initiating the construction of the grand central temple, was short-lived, and his own tribal council ordered his demise for mysterious reasons. The interregnum did not halt the era of conquest. Between 1486 and 1502, the Tlatoani Ahuizotl extended the empire's dominions all the way to the Gulf of Mexico and opened trade routes that had previously been the purview of pochteca, or merchants. One such route, known as the “route of the cacao,” reached as far as Soconusco and Guatemala. They were joined by Nahua migrants from El Salvador and Central America, including the Pipiltin and Nicaraos.

In this remarkable transformation from a fledgling confederation to a burgeoning empire, the Aztecs embarked on a journey of expansion, innovation, and societal change. Their empire would leave an indelible mark on history, and it all began with the unity of disparate city-states and the visionary leadership of Motecuzoma Ilhuicamina. Remember that empires can be born from the unlikeliest of unions, and the Aztecs' rise from confederation to empire is a testament to the power of collaboration and ambition.

Facts about the Aztec Empire

• The Aztecs used cocoa beans as currency.
• They played a ball game called ullamaliztli, which was played with a heavy rubber ball and required players to use their hips and torso to keep the ball in the air.
• The Aztecs had two calendars: a 365-day calendar and a 260-day ritual calendar. The two calendars lined up every 52 years.
• The busiest market days in Tenochtitlan drew 50,000 people.
• The Aztecs built floating gardens, called chinampas, on Lake Texcoco. These gardens were used to grow crops and support a large population.