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Toltec
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The Castillo pyramid at Chichen Itza in Yucatan, Mexico, features broad stone steps rising to a small temple at the top, with a central staircase and grassy plaza in front. Stone columns carved as Toltec warriors stand upright on a platform at Tula, Mexico, with additional cylindrical pillars and a clear sky in the background. Toltec statue Chac Mool sculpture at Chichén Itzå Toltec stone columns
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Sir Edward Burnett Tylor
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El Castillo at Chichén Itzå in Mexico
El Castillo at ChichĂ©n ItzĂĄ in Mexico El Castillo (“The Castle”), a Toltec-style pyramid, rising above the plaza at ChichĂ©n ItzĂĄ in YucatĂĄn state, Mexico.

Toltec

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History

Toltec, Nahuatl-speaking tribe who held sway over what is now central Mexico from the 10th to the 12th century ce. The name has many meanings: an “urbanite,” a “cultured” person, and, literally, the “reed person,” derived from their urban centre, Tollan (“Place of the Reeds”), near the modern town of Tula, about 50 miles (80 km) north of Mexico City.

Toltec warriors
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Toltec warriorsColumns depicting Toltec warriors, Tula, Mexico.
Toltec statue
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Toltec statueDetail of a Toltec warrior statue at the ruins of the ancient city of Tula, or Tollan, the urban centre of Toltec civilization, in Mexico.

The Toltecs sacked and burned the great city of TeotihuacĂĄn about 900 ce. Tradition tells that this occurred under the leadership of MixcĂłatl (“Cloud Serpent”). Under his son, Ce Acatl Topiltzin QuetzalcĂłatl, they formed a number of small states of various ethnic origins into an empire later in the 10th century. The ruler Topiltzin introduced the cult of QuetzalcĂłatl (“Feathered Serpent”), which name he adopted. This cult and others, as well as the Toltec military orders of the Coyote, the Jaguar, and the Eagle, were introduced into important Mayan cities to the south in YucatĂĄn, such as ChichĂ©n ItzĂĄ and MayapĂĄn, indicating the broad influence of the Toltecs.

Chac Mool sculpture at Chichén Itzå
Chac Mool sculpture at Chichén ItzåChac Mool sculpture at Chichén Itzå, Yucatån, Mexico.

The advent of the Toltecs marked the rise of militarism in Mesoamerica. They also were noted as builders and craftsmen and have been credited with the creation of fine metalwork, monumental porticoes, serpent columns, gigantic statues, carved human and animal standard-bearers, and peculiar reclining Chac Mool figures. Beginning in the 12th century, the invasion of the nomadic Chichimec destroyed the Toltec hegemony in central Mexico. Among the invaders were the Aztecs, or Mexica, who destroyed Tollan about the mid-12th century. See also Mesoamerican civilization.

Map showing principal sites of Meso-American civilization, with the Mayan zone of influence shaded in green across southeastern Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, and parts of Honduras and El Salvador. The map highlights major Mayan, Aztec, and other ancient sites, as well as the extent of the Aztec Empire in central Mexico, using color-coded symbols and labels for notable cities and archaeological locations.
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The Editors of Encyclopaedia BritannicaThis article was most recently revised and updated by J.E. Luebering.