Toltec

The Toltecs were an ancient Native American people who dominated much of central Mexico between the 10th and 12th centuries AD. Their language - Nahuatl - was also spoken by the Aztecs.

They originated as a militaristic nomadic people, and they may have sacked the city of Teotihuacan (ca. 750). After they established a more settled existence, the Toltecs fused the many small states in Central Mexico into an empire ruled from their capital, Tula (also known as Tolán). They were accomplished temple builders. Their influence spread through much of Mesoamerica in the post-Classic era. The Toltec influence on the Maya of Yucatán is heavy, especially evident at the city of Chichén Itzá.

The term "Toltec" is used in the works of writer Carlos Castaneda to denote a person who has achieved a high state of awareness. Castaneda makes it clear that his use of the term "Toltec" is specialized and does not refer to the Toltec people in general.