JUST HEARTLESS?

The Aztecs erupted into history around the year 1300, and disappeared after barely 200 years. Why? Here's a timeline of their short existence.

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1200: The Toltec Empire, latest in a long line, falls in what is now northern Mexico. Tribes from neighbouring regions start to move into the area.

1300: The Mixca, a wandering group of tribesmen, arrive in upper Central America, where they work as mercenaries for richer tribes. Only later will they be referred to as Aztecs, although the modern country in their area will take their original name. When they get on the wrong side of the more powerful tribes they are driven into a swamp - but they survive. An old legend states that the Sun only moves around the world because the Aztec gods ripped out their hearts to start it, and that without a regular supply of hearts it will stop. Thus the ripping-out of hearts. Not the first time an Aztec legend will cause trouble.....

1345: The Aztecs build a base for military operations at Tenochtitlan.

1375: Being bored with all work and little reward, the Aztecs decide to have their own kings.

1420: The Tepanecs, the main employers of the Aztcs, try to destroy them, but are crushed. The Aztecs become more unpopular with neighbouring tribes.

1519: Spanish conquistador Hernan Cortes arrives with 600 men. The Azrec Empire covers some 20 million people. Only one result - Cortes wins! Two reasons. First, he allies with all the tribes the Aztecs have upset (i.e. nearly every tribe in the area). Secondly, an Aztec prophesy claimed the god Quetzalcoatl would arrive this same year disguised as a pale man. Emperor Motecuhzoma dithers, and is arrested. Cortes later annoys the Aztecs by smahsing up their temple and is driven out - but not for long....

1521: Cortes returns and conquers the Aztecs properly. Spain begins shipping their wealth back to Europe. Most Aztecs will be destroyed not by the Spanish, but by the diseases they bring from Europe, against which the Aztecs have no immunity.

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