Geographical Factors:
- Favorable Environment: Located in the fertile Valley of Mexico, the Aztecs had access to abundant water, fertile soil, and a temperate climate for agriculture.
- Lakes and Canals: The Valley of Mexico was surrounded by interconnected lakes and canals, providing transportation, irrigation, and defense advantages.
Political Factors:
- Strong Leadership: The Aztec rulers, known as Tlatoanis, established a centralized government with a sophisticated bureaucracy and efficient tax collection system.
- Military Conquest: The Aztecs expanded their empire through military conquest, subjugating neighboring states and exacting tributes.
- Tribute System: The Aztecs enforced a system of tribute payments from conquered territories, providing them with resources and manpower.
Economic Factors:
- Agriculture: The Aztecs developed advanced agricultural techniques, such as chinampas (floating gardens), to maximize crop yields.
- Chinampas: These artificial islands allowed them to cultivate crops year-round, regardless of seasonal fluctuations.
- Trade and Commerce: The Aztecs engaged in extensive long-distance trade, establishing markets and exchanging goods with distant regions.
Social and Cultural Factors:
- Religion: The Aztecan religion and belief system provided the basis for their social and political order. Human sacrifices were seen as essential for the continuation of the empire.
- Education: The Aztecs valued education and had a dedicated class of scribes and scholars who recorded their history and knowledge.
- Art and Architecture: The Aztecs were known for their skilled architects, artists, and artisans, who created monumental buildings, elaborate sculptures, and intricately designed textiles.
Other Factors:
- Alliances: The Aztecs formed alliances with neighboring city-states, which provided them with military and economic support.
- Infrastructure: They built a network of roads, bridges, and aqueducts, facilitating transportation and communication within their empire.
- Superior weaponry: The Aztecs developed advanced weaponry, including obsidian-tipped swords, spears, and bows and arrows, which gave them an advantage in battle.