Was there a period when Aztecs had a lot of power money food or trade?

Before the arrival of the Europeans (and Cortes), but Aztecs ruled nearly all of Mexico. They had several slave cities that they maintained under their rule and were a very powerful society. Had the Aztecs not believed Cortes and his men to be gods and not have been killed by diseases, it is possible that they could have defeated Cortes -- though they probably would not have survived a subsequent counter-attack if Spain were to send it.