History of the Aztecs
The Aztec date way back in history. They have been traced to an area called Atzlan. The Aztec used to call themselves the Meshica before they were in their full height. In Atzlan the Aztec were not the top dogs, but they were in Tenochitlan. They were just little hunters and gatherers who only had a small tribe, but soon they became one of the greatest civilizations in the world. According to legend, one of their gods said that they must travel and find a eagle on a cactus then they would become the most powerful civilization in the world. The Meshica were baffled by this because at the time they were a very small tribe with little hope of growing. They took the advice anyway and started to wander into Mexico.
After many years they came across another tribe called the Culiacan. They ended up staying with them in exchange for fighting with them at war. After a long time in alliance the two leaders of the tribes decided to join as one, with the Meshica leader marrying the daughter of the Caliacan leader. It was a great idea until the Meshica priest killed the daughter and having the leader wear her skin. The Culiacan leader got very angry and sent the Mechica away. The Culiacan village was very close to a large and shallow lake. The Mashica fled into the middle and there they saw the eagle land on the cactus. Even though it was on a small island in the middle of a lake, they listened to their god's advice and started to build their soon to be great nation. They soon after started to grow food. Since they were in the middle of a lake they developed the genius floating gardens, called Chinampas. On the island they built giant temples in which they worshiped their gods. They soon took over many of the neighboring cities. They had fierce and fearless warriors, in vast numbers. They soon took over most of Mexico, and stayed in control until the Spanish conquest.
You can find more information on the spanish conquest here.
After many years they came across another tribe called the Culiacan. They ended up staying with them in exchange for fighting with them at war. After a long time in alliance the two leaders of the tribes decided to join as one, with the Meshica leader marrying the daughter of the Caliacan leader. It was a great idea until the Meshica priest killed the daughter and having the leader wear her skin. The Culiacan leader got very angry and sent the Mechica away. The Culiacan village was very close to a large and shallow lake. The Mashica fled into the middle and there they saw the eagle land on the cactus. Even though it was on a small island in the middle of a lake, they listened to their god's advice and started to build their soon to be great nation. They soon after started to grow food. Since they were in the middle of a lake they developed the genius floating gardens, called Chinampas. On the island they built giant temples in which they worshiped their gods. They soon took over many of the neighboring cities. They had fierce and fearless warriors, in vast numbers. They soon took over most of Mexico, and stayed in control until the Spanish conquest.
You can find more information on the spanish conquest here.