Act. 4.1 The Development of the Aztec Empire

Aztec Origins: Entered the Valley of Mexico in the 13th century Considered vulgar by neighboring city-states Served as mercenaries to nearby city-states Fled to the marshes of Lake Texcoco after Coxcox declared war on them for sacrificing his daughter who was given to them as part of an alliance agreement

The Aztecs Rise to Power Life in a Hostile Environment: Used chinampas, “floating gardens,” to grow food Created canals for trade and transportation Ate algae and ducks Eagle and Cactus: Symbols of a divine prophecy After building Tenochtitlan, the Aztecs destroyed all records of their past and created a more favorable history Priests taught that the Aztecs were nomads who built Tenochtitlan on a spot designated by the gods

Aztec Religious and Social Structures Aztec Religion: Felt that life was uncertain and everyone was at the mercy of nature Attempted to please the gods of nature with sacrifices Waited for the return of Quetzalcoatl, the serpent god of the planet Venus, to return to them in human form in A.D. 1519

Aztec Society Royal Family: emperors chosen from royal family based on merit; royal wives were respected, all were expected to be dignified and brave Nobles: priests, military officers, government leaders; nobility not inherited…it was earned on a battlefield or in pursuit of priesthood Merchants: provided trade goods like jade and quetzal feathers Commoners: farmers, laborers, craftsmen, servants, vendors; lived in wards called calpullis (barrios) Serfs: worked in fields or estates of the wealthy; had freedom, but considered inferior to commoners Slaves: had some legal rights; little stigma to slavery; people could sell themselves into slavery to pay off debts or crimes

The Splendor of Tenochtitlan The Floating City Three causeways joined Tenochtitlan to the shores of Lake Texcoco Canals were filled with canoes carrying people and goods 80, 000-150,000 people in the city Bustling Markets 60,000 people gathered at the markets daily Traded for food, straw mats, cloth, and luxury items (like feathers) Cacao beans sometimes used as currency Architectural Wonders Double pyramid dedicated to the gods Had a large rack, called a tzompantli, that held thousands of human skulls Homes of nobles were elaborate