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The Mexica people travel south from Aztlan (an unknown place of origin). The city is started on an island considered spiritual by the Mexica in 1325 CE. At this point the city was a collection of reed huts.
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The Templo Mayor begins construction in 1390 CE highlighting the growing population of the city. The building of a religious temple also comes with the increase in sacrifices for the gods.
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An alliance with the Tepaneca would later lead to a civil war due to the succession crisis following the death of their leader.
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The outcome of the war would be the triple alliance.
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Itzcoatl saw the creation of the Triple alliance and help win the Tepaneca war.
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An alliance between the Mexica, the Acolhua in the city Texcoco and the Tepaneca of Tlacopan starts in 1431 CE. This starts the rise of the Aztec empire as Tenochtitlan eventually becomes the largest and most wealthy of the three cities. At this point the population of Tenochtitlan is between 100,000 and 150,000 people.
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The city was destroyed by floods in 1452 CE which caused massive famine to strike for the following two years. Up to 10,000 were sacrificed in order to stop the floods.
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The famine resulted from widespread flooding and the resulting destruction of Tenochtitlan. Up to 10,000 were sacrificed to try to stop the floods.
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Azayactl tried invading the Purépecha Empire with 32,000 Aztec soldiers but lost 90% of his soldiers to death or imprisonment.
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Tizoc's rule was short-lived as he was ineffectual. He was most likely assassinated by his own nobles.
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Under Moctezuma II Aztec armies invaded the Purépecha Empire once again and lost thus causing the army to withdraw.
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The second time floods struck Tenochtitlan in 1510 CE. Unlike before these floods did not destroy the city, but many more lost their lives to sacrifice.
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Cortes was welcomed into Tenochtitlan by Montezuma II in 1519 CE because he was thought to be the light-skinned Quetzalcoatl, whose return was prophesied in Aztec legend.
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On the 1st of July, 1520 CE the Spanish forces were driven back. The Spanish and their native allies suffered heavy losses. (This is known as la Noche Triste - The Sad Night)
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Cuitahuac takes rule in 1520 CE but dies shortly after from a small pox epidemic that hits Tenochtitlan. The epidemic also leaves the city weakened for a future attack from Cortes. Half of the population of the city (including 25% of the army) were decimated.
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Cuauhetemoc took power in 1520 CE but Tenochitlan fell during his reign. He was hung in 1525 CE by the Spaniards after surrendering the city.
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The city prior to Cortes had 200,000-250,000 inhabitants in 1521 CE but was cut down by 75% by small pox epidemics and the Spanish in the 70 years following.
