> The city of Tenochtitlán was the capital of which ancient civilization?And the answer is: Aztec. Modern-day Mexico City is founded on the ruins of the former Aztec capital city,known as Tenochtitlán. At its peak it was considered to be the largest city inMesoamerica, with an estimated 300,000 people. In 1521, the city was largelydestroyed by a siege led by the Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés.Tenochtitlán was founded in 1325 upon an unclaimed marshy island in LakeTexcoco. Legend has it that the land was marked by god Huitzilopochtli, who hadurged the Mashiki tribe to seek out an eagle perched atop a prickly cactus (thisdepiction can now be seen on the Mexican flag). Life began on the island withmeager conviction – there were few building supplies available, and the localpeople lived off the flora and fauna of the water. Flag of Mexico. Photo credit: WikipediaSoon, growth began to take hold. Over thedecades, developments in construction projects, trade, and drainage helped thecity expand. Tenochtitlán found solidarity with its neighboring city ofTlatelolco, and the two groups often worked, traded and fought together.Eventually, growth brought the two cities together for good. While both citiesinitially maintained separate governments and identities, a family quarrelultimately proved the jurisdiction of Tenochtitlán, naming it as the ruler ofthe region. At the center of the city, the Sacred Precinct could be found. Within its wallslay a wide plaza holding about a dozen important structures, perhaps mostprominently of which was the Great Temple. At 16 meters tall, the twin-peakedtemple had two shrines dedicated to deities Tlaloc and Huitzilopochtli,respectively. While such a feat is impressive even today, Tenochtitlán was hometo magnitudes of such magnificent, colorful temples and holy structures. Before Spanish inquisition, Tenochtitlán was a haven of immeasurable innovation,culture and life. To learn more about the history of this ancient city, checkout the video below.