Maztlan Empire

The Maztlan Empire was a powerful Vasconian Indian nation which controlled most of what is now Maztlana prior to European colonization. The Empire was centered around the great city of Tehuantepec, the only large city in Vasconia during the pre-European period. The Empire was itself a diverse collection of tribal and cultural groups dominated by the Maztlans. However, it achieved substantial centralization rivalling that of early empires in the Old World.

Maztlan dominance lasted until their conquest by the Spanish in 1518. Their legacy lived on in the name the Spanish gave to their conquered territory and in many of the myths and cultural traditions which Maztlanan Vasconian Indians and some mestizos pass on to this day.

The Maztlans had a complex religious tradition. They worshipped the heavenly bodies, especially the sun. They had an advanced system of astronomy which they used to predict heavenly motions. From the European standpoint, the most objectionable characteristic of Maztlan culture was their religious practice of human sacrifice.

The Maztlans spoke the Maztlan language which is still spoken today in some parts of Maztlana. The history of the Maztlan Empire is very important to many Maztlaanans, whether they are themselves Vasconian Indians or not. It is the only indigenous Vasconian society to create a written language, a great city and a centralized government.