Richard Lim here, host of this American president. We are a proud member of the Parthenon

Podcast Network, and we have several partnerships with different podcasts through this network.

And there is a new podcast joining Parthenon. It's called The History of North America,

and it's hosted by Mark Vinette. Make sure you check it out. We are going to play a clip from

an episode where he talks about the history of the Aztecs. So make sure you check out his

podcast, The History of North America.

Welcome to the history of North America. I'm Mark Vinet. In this episode, we encounter the pre-Hispanic Mexico ancient culture and civilization that was the Aztec Empire. Join me as we explore one of the most glorious Mesoamerican societies.

The Aztec Empire was an alliance of three city-states that ruled the area in and around the Valley of Mexico from 1428 until 1521 A.D.

The empire was formed from the victorious factions of a civil war in central Mexico. Despite the initial conception of the empire as an alliance of three self-governed city-states, Tenoshtitlan

quickly became dominant politically and militarily as the capital, while the other partners in the alliance

had taken subsidiary roles.

Clackerel, the military leader of the capital, was the principal architect of the Aztec Triple

Alliance, and hence the Aztec Empire.

He also instigated a policy of burning the books of conquered Mesoamerican peoples

with the aim of erasing all

memories of pre-Aztec past.

The Aztecs were famous for their agriculture, cultivating all available land, introducing

irrigation, draining swamps, and creating artificial islands in the lakes.

They developed a form of hieroglyphic writing, a complex calendar system, and built famous pyramids and temples. The Aztec power was

centered at its capital, supported by many tributary city states. The Aztecs left rulers of conquered enemies in power so long as they

agreed to pay semi-annual tribute, as well as supply military forces when needed for the Aztec war

efforts. In return, the Imperial Authority offered protection and political stability, and facilitated an integrated

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