Part 10

Dive into the rich history of the Aztecs in Civilization V. Learn about their culture, religion, and the Spanish conquest that shaped their empire.

Hey there! So, you're diving into the Aztec civilization in Civilization V? Awesome choice! They've got some really unique stuff going on, especially when it comes to early game warfare and growth. Think of them as a powerhouse that can really get rolling early if you play your cards right. They're known for their Jaguar Warriors, which are way better than regular warriors early on, and the Floating Gardens, a wonder that can seriously boost your food production, especially if you're near a lake or river. It's all about setting up a strong foundation!

Now, let's chat a bit about the real-world Aztecs, because understanding their history really adds to the game. They were a fascinating civilization, kind of like the Mongols in how they managed their subjects – keep paying tribute, and you mostly had freedom. They were also huge on trade, using a barter system since they didn't have their own money. Imagine trading goods directly, no coins involved!

One of the most striking things about the Aztecs was their religion. They believed that constant sacrifice was super important to keep the universe running – like, to make sure the sun rose and the rain fell. They sacrificed animals, food, their own blood, and yes, human beings. The stories say they sacrificed tens of thousands of prisoners at one time, though historians debate the exact number. It sounds intense, right? This religious practice heavily influenced their warfare, as capturing enemy warriors for sacrifice was a big deal. When they ran out of enemies to conquer, they even started these things called 'Flower Wars' – basically, organized battles just to get prisoners for sacrifice!

Their empire was massive by the time Montezuma II took over in 1502, stretching way down into Central America. But then, in 1519, everything changed with the arrival of Hernan Cortes and his Spanish conquistadors. Cortes landed with a relatively small force, but he was smart. He burned his ships to make sure his men couldn't turn back and gathered local allies who also disliked the Aztecs.

Interestingly, Aztec religious beliefs might have actually made their initial resistance weaker. There was a prophecy about a god, Quetzalcoatl, returning as a white man from across the sea. The Aztecs weren't sure if Cortes was this god, which made them hesitant to fight him. Plus, his horses, dogs, and especially his firearms and cannons were completely new and terrifying to them.

Montezuma II actually welcomed Cortes into the capital city, Tenochtitlan, peacefully. But then Cortes took him prisoner and demanded treasure. Things got really messy. The Aztecs eventually killed Montezuma and drove the Spanish out, but Cortes got reinforcements and came back. They laid siege to the city, and in 1521, it fell and was destroyed. The Aztec Empire was over, conquered by outsiders who exploited existing tensions and had superior weaponry. It's a pretty heavy historical event, and it really highlights how different technologies and beliefs can clash.