2 years, 9 months ago
How large did the Aztec empire become? When did the Aztecs conquer the Toltecs?
What events lead to the defeat of the Toltecs?
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Because of the way the Aztec empire was governed (through indirect tributary alliances), it's difficult to define precise borders or count heads.
According to Traditions and Encounters (a college-level world history textbook that I teach from), about 12 million mesoamerican people fell under the authority (whether direct or indirect) of the Aztec Triple Alliance in the early 16th century.
The Toltec state at Tula was destroyed in the late 12th century. The specific events that led to their defeat are not clear. A combination of drought, famine, civil conflict and incursions by nomadic peoples from northern Mexico probably did the job.
It's not fair to say that the Aztecs conquered the Toltecs because Tenochtitlan was not founded until 1325 - over a century after Toltec capital at Tula was destroyed.
Culturally speaking, one could say that the Toltecs conquered the Aztecs because many elements of Toltec culture (deities, language, titles, customs) were adopted by the Mexica (leaders of the Aztec empire) at Tenochtitlan. The Aztecs idolized the Toltecs and even called themselves the "toltecatl" when the Spaniards arrived in 1519.
According to Traditions and Encounters (a college-level world history textbook that I teach from), about 12 million mesoamerican people fell under the authority (whether direct or indirect) of the Aztec Triple Alliance in the early 16th century.
The Toltec state at Tula was destroyed in the late 12th century. The specific events that led to their defeat are not clear. A combination of drought, famine, civil conflict and incursions by nomadic peoples from northern Mexico probably did the job.
It's not fair to say that the Aztecs conquered the Toltecs because Tenochtitlan was not founded until 1325 - over a century after Toltec capital at Tula was destroyed.
Culturally speaking, one could say that the Toltecs conquered the Aztecs because many elements of Toltec culture (deities, language, titles, customs) were adopted by the Mexica (leaders of the Aztec empire) at Tenochtitlan. The Aztecs idolized the Toltecs and even called themselves the "toltecatl" when the Spaniards arrived in 1519.
source(s):
Jerry H. Bentley and Herbert F. Zeigler. Traditions and Encounters. Vol. 1, 4th Ed. (New York: McGraw-Hill Education. 2008.)
Jerry H. Bentley and Herbert F. Zeigler. Traditions and Encounters. Vol. 1, 4th Ed. (New York: McGraw-Hill Education. 2008.)
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