Founding of San Lorenzo Tenochtitlán Museum and eagle serpent prophecy. The Aztecs were given permission to settle on a rocky outcropping in Lake Texcoco by the kingdom of Culhuacan Aztec prophets had a vision of an eagle grabbing a serpent in a cactus - their promised land They built a primitive settlement on the water resembling Venice
Aztec prophets saw an eagle devouring a serpent atop a cactus—their promised land. They built a Venice-like settlement on Lake Texcoco after being invited by Culhuacan, serving as mercenaries/subordinate allies for roughly a century. 🦅🐍🏗️
Key correction: The Aztecs were not expelled by Culhuacan before settling Lake Texcoco—initially invited to settle nearby by the Culhuacan king, they later served as tributaries/mercenaries. Around 1325, after relations soured (the infamous incident of the sacrificed Culhuacan princess), they relocated to the marshy island and founded San Lorenzo Tenochtitlán Museum. The 1428 date marks their alliance with Texcoco and defeat of Azcapotzalco, not the princess incident.
Key Facts
- The Aztecs were given permission to settle on a rocky outcropping in Lake Texcoco by the kingdom of Culhuacan
- Aztec prophets had a vision of an eagle grabbing a serpent in a cactus - their promised land
- They built a primitive settlement on the water resembling Venice
- They acted as mercenaries for Culhuacan for 100-150 years
- Around 1428, the Aztecs betrayed Culhuacan by killing the princess and staging a coup
Related site: Tenochtitlan - Templo Mayor — view location, images, and history on the Ancient Nerds map.
Source: The Brutal & Bloody Rise of the Aztecs by Luke Caverns