Engineering an Empire: The Aztecs (S1, E3) | Full Episode | History

The script begins with a narration that delves into the legendary origins of the Aztec civilization, detailing their rapid rise to power in just 200 years. The Aztecs are portrayed as a technologically advanced society that engineered aqueducts, palaces, pyramids, and temples, creating a civilization on par with Rome. Their capital city, likened to the 'Venice of the New World,' was a marvel to European explorers. However, the Aztecs' pursuit of power and their brutal rituals, such as human sacrifice, set them on a path to a swift and total destruction. The story takes us back to 1325 AD, central Mexico, where a young girl's sacrifice by Aztec noblemen marks the beginning of the Aztec empire and the location from which it would emerge.

This section of the script focuses on the visionary city of Tenochtitlan, the Aztec capital, and the engineering feats that allowed its construction. The Aztecs, led by Acamapichtli, overcame the challenges of building on swampy islands by developing an innovative foundation system using wooden pilings. They also created causeways to connect their island city to the mainland, which required immense logistical efforts and showcased their advanced engineering skills. The script highlights the ingenuity of the Aztecs in constructing a city that was both functional and grand, reflecting their cultural sophistication and technological prowess.

The script describes the Aztecs' struggle to secure a water supply for their growing city. Initially reliant on canoe transportation from the shore, they sought a more sustainable solution by planning an aqueduct. However, the springs they needed were controlled by the dominant Tepanecs tribe. Tensions escalated when the Aztecs demanded water and assistance in constructing the aqueduct, leading to the assassination of their leader by Tepanec king Maxtla. This act of aggression prompted the Aztecs to wage war against the Tepanecs, marking the beginning of their rise as the greatest engineers of the Americas and the formation of the Aztec empire under the leadership of the Mexica tribe.

The Aztecs' independent design and construction of an aqueduct is highlighted in this part of the script. The aqueduct featured two channels, allowing for continuous water flow as one channel was cleaned while the other operated. Spanning 3 miles from the mainland to the city, it supplied water to public fountains and reservoirs. The script also emphasizes the Aztecs' advanced hygiene practices compared to Europeans of the time, as evidenced by their frequent bathing habits. Additionally, it discusses the unique bath of King Nezahualcoyotl, which was fed by a sophisticated aqueduct system, and the pleasure palace and botanical garden he built around it.

This section details the Aztecs' innovative chinampas system, an artificial island farming method that allowed them to expand their agricultural capabilities. Chinampas, resembling narrow football fields, were constructed by piling reeds and mud in the lake bed, creating new land for farming and living. These islands, connected to the city by extensive canals, enabled the Aztecs to produce multiple crops annually, far exceeding the yield of mainland farms. The script explains how this technology transformed Tenochtitlan into a thriving city-state and fueled the Aztec empire's expansion.

The script narrates the military conquests and infrastructure developments that characterized the height of the Aztec empire. Under Emperor Moctezuma, the empire expanded its borders, capturing city-states and growing to house 15 million people. The Aztecs also constructed a network of super highways and a system of relay runners for efficient communication. The Templo Mayor, a massive pyramid at the center of Tenochtitlan, symbolized their power and was continually expanded as the empire grew. The script also touches upon the use of lime plaster and volcanic stone in Aztec construction, highlighting their advanced building techniques.

This part of the script explores the Aztecs' belief in human sacrifice as a means to appease their gods and ensure the continuation of the world. The Great Temple, or Templo Mayor, was the site of mass sacrifices, with victims' heads displayed on skull racks. The script mentions Emperor Ahuitzotl's mass sacrifice to dedicate the expanded Great Temple, suggesting that thousands of people were sacrificed. It also discusses the political and intimidatory aspects of these rituals, as well as the Aztecs' reputation as fierce warriors, skilled in the art of warfare.

The script concludes with the arrival of Spanish Conquistador Hernán Cortés and the cataclysmic fall of the Aztec empire. Cortés, with a small army and the help of local tribes, managed to infiltrate Tenochtitlan and kidnap Emperor Moctezuma II. Initially awed by the city's splendor, the Spaniards eventually committed sacrilege by interrupting a sacred Aztec ceremony, sparking an uprising. Moctezuma was killed, and the Spaniards, under the cover of darkness, attempted to flee the city in an event known as La Noche Triste, resulting in heavy losses. The script paints a vivid picture of the final days of the Aztec empire, leading to its ultimate collapse and the rise of the Spanish colonial rule.