Once a great empire, a great legacy of which modern-day Mexico bears is left in the heart of the country. Reining from the 14th to the 16th century, the Aztec Empire was an unparalleledly magnificent and mysterious civilisation. Even now, its legacy fascinates and puzzles us. The Aztec Empire was at its height a wonder of urban planning, architecture, and engineering. Tenochtitlan, the capital, was a vast city developed on a sequence of linked islands in Lake Texcoco. Tenochtitlan was evidence of the inventiveness and skill of Aztec engineers with its complex canal system, aqueducts, and pyramids. Deeply spiritual people, the Aztecs had a complicated pantheon of gods and goddesses. From farming to conflict, their mythology permeated all facets of life. The Aztecs’ rites and sacrifices were meant to uphold their delicate equilibrium between the natural and supernatural worlds. Aztec society’s writing and record-keeping system was among the most intriguing features of their civilisation. Aztec scribes noted everything from astronomical observations to historical events using pictograms, hieroglyphs, and phonetic symbols. Master artists creating magnificent works of art in feathers, jade, and obsidian, the Aztecs were also expert craftmen. Their pottery was much sought for throughout Mesoamerica; their textiles were well-known for their beauty and intricacy. The Aztec Empire was not without problems notwithstanding its many successes. Being a warrior society, the Aztecs expanded mostly by conquest and subjugation. Additionally afflicting the empire were corruption and internal power conflicts. The end for the Aztec Empire started with the entrance of the Spanish conquistadors in the early 16th century. Tenochtitlan was taken by the Spanish following a bloody and terrible campaign and they claimed the empire for themselves. The contemporary Mexican society reflects the legacy of the Aztec Empire today. From the food to the architecture, the Aztecs still have influence. Looking at the remnants of their once-dominant civilisation reminds us of the fleeting nature of power and the ongoing force of human inventiveness. Finally, the Aztec Empire was a civilisation of unmatched grandeur and mystery whose legacy still enthrals and motivates us now. Its successes in engineering, architecture, art, and literature bear witness to the Aztec people’s inventiveness and mastery. Examining the remnants of their once-powerful civilisation reminds us of the need of safeguarding our cultural legacy and respecting the accomplishments of people who came before us. Still felt in modern society is the influence of the Aztec Empire on: Architectural design today has been shaped by the Aztecs’ use of palaces, temples, and pyramids. From Diego Rivera to Frida Kahlo, Aztec art has motivated decades of creators. Aztec mythology and literature have shaped the work of authors including Octavio Paz and Carlos Fuentes. Aztec cuisine has influenced Mexican modern cuisine with dishes like tacos and mole. Modern-day Mexican culture is still shaped by the Aztecs’ focus on family, community, and custom. We are reminded of the need of safeguarding our cultural legacy and respecting the accomplishments of people who preceded us as we keep discovering and learning from the Aztec Empire.