Teotihuacan

Quick Facts: Who was Teotihuacan?

Subject:

Teotihuacan

Known for:

Ancient Mesoamerican metropolis known for its massive pyramids, including the Sun and Moon.

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

Teotihuacan (; Spanish: Teotihuacán, Spanish pronunciation: [teotiwaˈkan] ; Classical Nahuatl: Teōtīhuacān, Classical Nahuatl pronunciation: [te.oːtiːˈwakaːn] ) is an ancient Mesoamerican city located in a sub-valley of the Valley of Mexico, which is located in the State of Mexico, 40 kilometers (25 mi) northeast of modern-day Mexico City. Teotihuacan is known today as the site of many of the most architecturally significant Mesoamerican pyramids built in the pre-Columbian Americas, namely the Pyramid of the Sun and the Pyramid of the Moon. Although close to Mexico City, Teotihuacan was not a Mexica (i.e. Aztec) city, and it predates the Aztec Empire by many centuries. At its zenith, perhaps in the first half of the first millennium (1 CE to 500 CE), Teotihuacan was the largest city in the Americas. Its population has been estimated to be at least 25,000, but likely sat around 100,000 during its height, potentially making it the sixth-largest city in the world during its epoch.

Career & Major Achievements

The city covered twenty-one square kilometres (8 sq mi) and 80 to 90 percent of the total population of the valley resided in Teotihuacan. Apart from the pyramids, Teotihuacan is also anthropologically significant for its complex, multi-family residential compounds, the Avenue of the Dead, and its vibrant, well-preserved murals. Additionally, Teotihuacan exported fine obsidian tools found throughout Mesoamerica. The city is thought to have been established around 100 BCE, with major monuments continuously under construction until about 250 CE. The city may have lasted until sometime between the 7th and 8th centuries CE, but its major monuments were sacked and systematically burned around 550 CE.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Its collapse might be related to the extreme weather events of 535–536. Teotihuacan began as a religious center in the Mexican Plateau around the first century CE. It became the largest and most populated center in the pre-Columbian Americas. Teotihuacan was home to multi-floor apartment compounds built to accommodate the large population. The term Teotihuacan (or Teotihuacano) is also used to refer to the whole civilization and cultural complex associated with the site.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Teotihuacan

True or False: “The name Teotihuacan was originally given by the Aztecs to mean 'City of the Gods'.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): Scholars suggest the original name might have been related to 'Place of Reeds' or that the current name may be a later modification.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Terada Torahiko — Chrono-Wiki Encyclopedia Entry: Pioneering Japanese physicist and author known for work on acoustics, X-rays, and earthquakes.
• Terasawa Junsei — Chrono-Wiki Encyclopedia Entry: Japanese Buddhist monk known for pioneering peace activism across Eurasia.
• Terence — Chrono-Wiki Encyclopedia Entry: Master Roman comic playwright, known for adapting Greek originals.
• Terence Davies — Chrono-Wiki Encyclopedia Entry: Acclaimed English filmmaker known for autobiographical and literary adaptations.
• Terence Tao — Chrono-Wiki Encyclopedia Entry: Pioneering mathematician known for the Green–Tao theorem and diverse research.
• Teresa of Ávila — Chrono-Wiki Encyclopedia Entry: Spanish Carmelite mystic and spiritual reformer of the Counter-Reformation.

Frequently Asked Questions about Teotihuacan