Aztecs Around 1200 CE, a tribe that would soon call themselves the Incas began to build the city of Cuzco. About 200 years later, the Chancay attacked the Incas. The Incas won. In 1438, the new Inca ruler Pachacuti set about conquering all the other tribes on the western side of South America. With the help of trained engineers, builders, and traders, the Aztec capital city of Tenochtitlan became a great city. It had huge temples, beautiful open plazas, and a huge bustling central marketplace. By the mid- 1400’s, Tenochtitlan had a population of about 300,000 people, which made it the largest city in the world at that time !

Daily life The common people were organized into groups. Each group was like a family unit. There were people in each unit. Each unit was called an ayllu. Every month, the Incas held a huge and public religious festival honoring one of their major gods. At the festival, there was dancing and feasting and sacrifice. +

ancient Tenochtitlan art Ancient art of the ancient tribe,tenochtitlan

Spanish conquest of the incas No one would have expected that the Inca empire, called Tawainitsuyu, has all in all ruled the Andes for as little as 100 years. Their huge empire has historically fallen because of an epidemic of smallpox brought to their world be early visitors of Europe (mainly Spanish), the civil war between Atahualpa and Huascar, the last two Sapa Incas, and last but not least, the conquista of the Spanish invaders.

HOW THE LEADER DIED. They got concerted by the Spanish and during the conquest. But during the conquest, the Aztec leader got hit with a rock.

Incas It was situated about 11,000 feet above sea level high in the Andes Mountains. It was a beautiful city. There were palaces, temples, schools, houses, and government buildings. It had gardens filled with exotic herbs, trees, and flowers. There was a huge public square for ceremonies and gatherings. The streets were paved. Water was brought in by aqueducts to supply the palaces. (The Incas took frequent baths.) Most of the people were farmers. They lived in farming communities. The only people who actually lived in or just outside the city were the artisans who made artwork for the temples. People who lived nearby might travel into town for festivals or business. But the city was mainly used for the government.