Pacific Lutheran University

         The making of an Empire: 

Politics of the pre-imperial kings

                                          Proud of itself
                                          Is the city of Mexico-Tenochtitlan
                                          Here no one fears to die in war
                                          This is our glory.
                                          This is Your Command,
                                          Of Giver of Life!
                                          Have this in mind, oh princes
                                          Lest we forget it.
                                          Who could conquer Tenochtitlan?
                                          Who could shake the foundation of heaven?
                                                    -Source Unknown

Gold Serpent Lip Plug from the American Museum of Natural History, New York (Pasztory 1983)

Statement of Purpose:

    In studying the ancient Aztecs, much emphasis is often placed their polytheistic religion, their war-like nature, or their sacrificial rites. However, it is important to recognize that if the Aztecs were not the super power they were, then we would probably not be studying them at all. This website was created to tell the story of how the Aztecs rose to power, as story that must be understood in order to appreciate the immortality that the Aztecs have achieved today.