The Aztecs and the Incas

The Aztecs and the Incas are two of the most memorable ancient Indian tribes
because of their accomplishments and the way that they flourished and became two of the
most prominent tribes in the Americas. The Aztecs, also known as the Mexica, dominated
central and southern Mexico from the 14th to 16th centuries and are best known for
having established an empire based on conquest, tribute paying and the religious sacrifice
of humans and animals. The Quechian-speaking Incas established an extensive Andean
empire in South America shortly before the conquest of the New World by the Europeans.
These two empires arose from lowly beginnings. The Aztecs were forced to
occupy the swampy area the western side of Lake Texcoco after the fall of the Toltec
civilization. They converted their disadvantageous beginning into a powerfully advanced
empire within two centuries, partially because of their belief in a legend. The legend goes
on to say that they would establish a great civi...