Yearly Archives: 2012

Weapons in the Mexica period

29 December 2012

A guest post from Enrique Ortiz, an artist, painter, and web designer, a man who knows way too much about anything Mexica-Aztec related, a man who would not miss a single archeological conference in the Temple Mayor museum. Enrique is a talented painter and I... Read More

Historical fiction and the trouble in the Aztec Capital

19 December 2012

It wasn’t until 1426, after living for more than a hundred years and ruling for almost half of this time, that Tezozomoc, the old Tepanec emperor died, leaving many sons to rule many provinces. His death did not plunge the Tepanec Empire into a chaos,... Read More

Prepared to gamble?

2 December 2012

What wouldn’t you bet while watching a fierce ball game where the players were not afraid to hurt themselves? A kernel of maize? A good obsidian knife? A golden necklace studded with precious stones? Well, why not? Like anywhere else around the globe, people of... Read More

The Rise of the Aztecs Part VII, Nezahualcoyotl, the heir to Texcoco throne

26 November 2012

In ‘The Rise of the Aztecs Part VI’, we left the Tepanec Empire ruling the lands around Lake Texcoco, holding the whole Valley of Mexico in their firm grip. Yet, eastward to Texcoco, over the high ridges where the Nahua, Mixtec were inclined favorably toward... Read More

Historical fiction and Tenochtitlan

27 October 2012

In 1419, having conquered Texcoco and its provinces, the Tepanecs were the undeniable masters of the whole Mexican Valley, spreading further and further, strong and invincible. Curiously indifferent, they took the coastal towns, including Coatlinchan, but the altepetl of Texcoco they had given to their... Read More

Historical fiction and the Highlands

12 October 2012

In 1414 Texcoco had rebelled against the mighty Tepanecs, dealing surprisingly well with the invasion that the mighty empire had promptly organized, landing almost thousand warriors upon Texcoco shores. The first offensive was repelled so thoroughly, the Tepanecs bolted for home with encouraged Acolhua gathering... Read More

The Rise of the Aztecs Part VI, Tipping the Ballance

2 October 2012

In ‘The Rise of the Aztecs Part V Texcoco, The Acolhua Capital’, we left the Valley of Mexico boiling, preparing for the upcoming war between the mighty Tepanec Empire and the rebellious Acolhua people of Texcoco, with the Aztecs sitting safely on the fence, smooth-talking... Read More

Historical fiction and the Aztecs

18 September 2012

My “Pre-Aztec” series ended toward the second half of the 14th century, leaving Mexican Valley under the stern rule of the Tepanec Empire; empire which spread around Lake Texcoco, encompassing it, holding many provinces and city-states in its firm grip. A few decades passed and... Read More

The Rise of the Aztecs Part V, Texcoco, The Acolhua Capital

7 September 2012

In ‘The Rise of the Aztec Part IV’, we left the Aztecs prospering, developing their island-city, in good grace with their overlords, the Tepanecs, and generally well off. With the growing trade Tenochtitlan began to evolve into a real altepetl. The increasing amount of independent... Read More

Whatever you do, do not drop the ball

14 August 2012

While wandering the broad, perfectly clean streets of Azcapotzalco, Tenochtitlan or Texcoco, you could be surprised to find them nearly deserted, with even the main road leading to the marketplace empty of passersby. In such large altepetls this occurrence would be highly unusual, even when large... Read More

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