Which ancient civilization was the first to grow tomatoes?

The ancient civilization that first grew tomatoes was the Mesoamerican peoples, particularly the Aztecs and their predecessors, around 500 BC. Tomatoes are believed to have originated in western South America and were domesticated in Mexico. They were initially small and wild, later being cultivated and integrated into various dishes by these civilizations. The Spanish brought tomatoes back to Europe in the 16th century, leading to their global spread.