Oxford University Is Older Than the Aztec Empire

When you picture a really old university, Oxford probably sits near the top of your mental list. But here is the part that quietly rearranges your brain: Oxford University was already well-established before the Aztec Empire even existed.

Evidence of teaching at Oxford dates back to at least 1096, and the university grew rapidly after 1167 when English scholars were expelled from the University of Paris and had to find somewhere else to study. By the time the Aztec Empire was formally founded in 1428, Oxford had already been running for over two hundred years. Two. Hundred. Years.

The Aztecs built Tenochtitlan, developed a complex calendar, and created one of the most powerful empires in the Americas — all while Oxford was already old enough to have alumni complaining about younger students. The timeline here defies the brain's casual sorting of ancient things into the same general era.

For extra context: the Aztec Empire lasted only about 90 years before the Spanish arrived. Oxford has since outlasted them by about six centuries and is still going strong. History has a wonderful way of making you feel like you do not understand time at all.