Aztecs were a people living in Central America in the 14th, 15th and 16th centuries, as a civilization with a rich culture and mythology. Their capital was Tenochtitlan, located at the site of today's Mexico City. Until their defeat, after the conquest by the Spanish conquistadors in 1521, they were the last great Mesoamerican civilization, which means they controlled the most powerful empire in Mesoamerica, today's Mexico.