The city of Tenochtitlán was conquered in the 16th century, after a 93-day battle. Hernán Cortés, the Spanish conqueror, fought against the Aztec armies of Cuauhtémoc, from May 22 to August 13, 1521.
The warlord Mexi and the religious leader Tenoch, inspired the name of Mexico Tenochtitlán, as it is also known, according to history researchers. Tenoch promoted its construction in the year 1325.
Reconstruction of Mexico-Tenochtitlan. Source: search.creativecommons.org
Tenochtitlán was founded on a small islet in the middle of Lake Texcoco, and later it was expanded with artificial islands. It had four great roads on the water to reach it, so that it gave an impression that the city was sailing on the lake.
In the middle of the city was the great temple of mayor, to worship the gods of rain and water and of the sun and war.
On the battle to conquer the city of Tenochtitlán
At its brightest, the city of Tenochtitlán had between 300,000 to 700,000 inhabitants.
Although numerous battles were fought between the Aztecs and the army of Spanish conquerors, it was the Battle of Tenochtitlan the last and decisive battle that led to the fall of the Aztec civilization.
Hernán Cortés, a Spanish conqueror, had a small army, but he managed to infiltrate Cuauhtémoc, the main Aztec leader, with indigenous people.
When the Spanish used more successful strategies, their dominance over Tenochtitlán grew and hunger began to affect the Aztecs, because they blocked access to food.
The Aztecs were cut off from the mainland due to busy roads. In addition, Cortés maintained a blockade with the help of the canoes of his Indian allies.
Both sides used ambushes in naval battles for a time, trying to lure enemy ships or canoes into a trap or separate them from the group.
The fall of Tenochtitlán
When the Spanish forces reached the city, almost every rooftop was an enemy stronghold.
Once again, the Aztecs adopted new tactics, and now they attacked the Spanish from their buildings. This held back the Spanish for a time, but could not prevent their advance through the city.
The Aztecs laid down their arms on August 13, 1521. Cuauhtémoc, the Aztec leader, was taken prisoner. After being cruelly tortured, he was sent to die. His resistance was recorded in history.
The Aztecs started the escape from Tenochtitlán, while the soldiers who supported the Spanish crown continued to attack the city even after they had surrendered, killing more people who were inside and carrying many belongings and valuables from the city.
Almost the entire elite of the city had died and those who survived were mostly infants.
It is estimated that two hundred and forty thousand Aztecs perished in the course of the assault, which lasted 93 days. The remaining Spanish military forces consisted of 900 Spaniards and 80 horses.
This battle marked the end of the first phase of the Spanish conquest of Mexico. It was one of the greatest victories ever won by such a small force and involved the capture of a great deal of wealth.
References
- Battle of Tenochtitlán. Mexican history, 1521. PHILLIPS, CHARLES. Recovered from: britannica.com
- Battle of Tenochtitlán. NEW WORLD ENCYCLOPEDIA. Recovered from the site: newworldencyclopedia.org
- 6 facts that show that Tenochtitlán was the best organized city in the world. RAMÍREZ, OSCAR. Recovered from the Site: matadornetwork.com
- The Fall of Tenochtitlan - Truly the End of the Aztec Empire? ANCIENT-ORIGINS. Recovered from Site: ancient-origins.net
- Image N1: Author Xuan Che. Image Name: Tenochtitlan (National Museum of Anthropology of Mexico). Recovered from the site: flickr.com.