Who were the Aztecs?

Aztecs were ethnic groups of central Mexico who spoke the Nahuatl language and existed in large parts of Mesoamerica in the 14th to 16th centuries. This period was known as the late post-classic period in Mesoamerican chronology. Although they were considered barbaric by the Toltecs and others in the region, they quickly absorbed their neighbours’ culture. The Aztecs controlled their empire primarily by installing friendly rulers in conquered cities, by marriage alliances between ruling dynasties, and by an economic strategy, making conquered cities depend on the centre for trade. Since there was no military protection in conquered cities, it made them easy prey for conquest in turn by the European invaders in the 16th century.