AD 1000-1521 Post Classic

After the decline of the Mexican civilisation of Teotihuacan (AD1-700), a number of smaller states grew to fill the vacuum, only to decline a few centuries later. These included the militaristic Toltec of central Mexico and the Maya city of Chichen Itza in the Yucatan peninsula. Elsewhere in the West Indies and Central America, there was extensive trade between thriving chiefdoms.

By the 15th century, the Toltec capital was in ruins and Chichen Itza too had lost its prominent position to other smaller Maya cities. The Aztec had risen from being mercenaries working for others to ruling an empire covering most of central Mexico with trading networks as far north as New Mexico and south to Guatemala.

The Aztec were quick to use the best of conquered states and allies. This included employing their artists such as calligraphers, gold-workers, potters and feather-workers. Other peoples' gods also joined Aztec gods in their capital's religious centre. The Aztecs and their neighbours had ancient and widespread ideas about the sacredness of nature and the spiritual power of the stars and planets. They believed in the importance of calculating and recording time for predicting events, and the need for blood sacrifices to give energy to the gods.