Q 01/05

Mexico City began as Tenochtitlan, built by which people around 1325?

A) The Maya of Yucatan

B) The Mexica (Aztecs)

C) The Toltecs of Tula

D) The Olmecs of Veracruz

Answer · why

B) The Mexica (Aztecs)

It rose on islands in Lake Texcoco and became the largest city of the pre-Columbian Americas.

Q 02/05

According to Aztec prophecy, the site for their great city would be marked by an eagle doing what?

A) Circling the smoking volcano three times

B) Nesting on a floating island in the lake

C) Fighting a jaguar at the water's edge

D) Perching on a cactus with a snake in its beak

Answer · why

D) Perching on a cactus with a snake in its beak

The image is on the Mexican flag today; the cactus was said to have grown from the heart of Copil.

Q 03/05

Mexico City is described as the oldest capital city in the Americas and one of only two founded by whom?

A) The Spanish

B) The Portuguese

C) Indigenous peoples

D) Religious orders

Answer · why

C) Indigenous peoples

The other is Quito; the Spanish name 'Mexico' replaced Tenochtitlan simply because it was easier to pronounce.

Q 04/05

On which date did Cortes and his men first enter Tenochtitlan and meet Moctezuma II?

A) 8 November 1519

B) 12 October 1492

C) 13 August 1521

D) 30 June 1520

Answer · why

A) 8 November 1519

The Aztecs drove the Spanish out on La Noche Triste in June 1520; the final siege ended with Cuauhtemoc's surrender in August 1521.

Q 05/05

Who was the last Aztec ruler, who surrendered to Cortes in August 1521?

A) Cuauhtemoc

B) Moctezuma II

C) Cuitlahuac

D) Nezahualcoyotl

Answer · why

A) Cuauhtemoc

Cuitlahuac had succeeded Moctezuma but soon died, probably of smallpox; the Spaniards practically razed the city.