The Aztecs were once a peaceful tribe, not fighting any wars. The rise started when the princess of a small tribe. The princess was going to get married to a prince of another tribe, like as a peace treaty. But before the marriage, priests pulled her aside and used her as a human sacrifice to their gods. Then the father of the princess looked for her and went into a tent. In that tent was a priest, with the skin of the princess on his back. The father got so enraged, but the other tribe was bigger and faster, so the father and his tribe retreated onto an island in the middle of a lake. They learned that when they saw an eagle on a cactus, that spot would be their new home. From there the Aztecs built a new home, and it grew and grew. Together with their allies, they increased their reign to most of Mexico, dominating other tribes. They would take the prisoners and use them for human sacrifice. But when the Spaniards came in, they had to watch out.