"Bro, CLEARLY this is a sign from the gods to build our capital in a swamp!"

The Aztec empire was a bit of a triumvirate, but the Mexicas were the leading party for most of it, and like the Romans, their conquer and tax approach, mixed with their brutality were hated across the region.

In fact, albeit their fall was fueled by the diseases brought by the Spanish, the brunt of the war was done by subjugated states.

I always thought that Aztec history and the building of Tenochtitlan would be a great HBO show, rival to Rome or GOT.