Aztecs

Geography Legend According to legend, the chief god of the Aztecs told them to settle where they saw an eagle perched on cactus with snake in its beak

Geography Valley of Mexico is in the highland basin of central Mexico Lies between two mountain ranges Several large shallow lakes covered the basin Around 1200 nomadic tribes began to settle in the Valley of Mexico – the last group to arrive were the Mexica now know as the Aztecs The Mexica were considered barbarians and kicked out of every place they settled – they found refuge on a small island in the middle of Lake Texcoco They named their settlement Tenochtitlan

Geography Tenochtitlan was a good place to settle because Easy to defend It was a rich source of food It was easy to get to for trading Canals made transportation and getting around easy

Geography Aztecs at their height Empire had 10 million people Valley of Mexico about 1 million people Tenochtitlan – 200,000 people Central Mexico West coast of Guatemala Moctezuma was the leader beginning in 1502

Geography & History Downfall of the civilization began in 1519 with the arrival of Hernan Cortes and the Spaniards Military fighting Diseases – small pox

Religion Worshiped many gods Kings ruled with the blessing of the gods Tezcatlipoca All powerful god Tlaloc God of rain (water and harvest) Huitzilopochtli MOST IMPORTANT GOD Brought success in battle Kept sun in sky Human sacrifice kept Huitzilopochtli strong & sun in sky

RELIGION MOCTEZUMA HUITZILOPOCHTLI

Achievements Architects Templo Mayor Causeway Aqueducts Largest temple in the plaza Two shrines at the top One for Huitzilopochtil One for Tlaloc Causeway Raised up road that connected the island to the shore Aqueducts Brought fresh water to the island Avenues & canals Made travel easy Chinampas Floating islands Plots of gardens or fields for farming Used to expand land Dikes Prevent flooding and circulate water for chinampas

Achievements Causeway Templo Mayor - Canals

Achievements Chinampas Aqueduct

Achievements Artisans Baskets, pottery, and sandals Jewelry Mosaics Feather work – headdresses, capes, & shields

Achievements Language Skilled orators Tell stories from past and legends of the gods Nahuatl is Aztec language Poetry – most famous form of literature

Politics No true central government Loose collection of city-states led by local chiefs Maintained control through military force Empire led by a king King was selected by council of nobles 4 military commanders & 1 prime minister (day-to-day operations)

Politics New king had to prove military skills and win tribute (goods paid as taxes by conquered people) Went to war to… Gain military tribute Capture prisoners for human sacrifice

Politics Lower level of advisors Judges Clerks Tax collectors Cities were divided into districts called calulli Led by district chief

Economy For most commoners life centered around farming Men tended fields Women household duties Artisans and traders were well respected commoners Artisans Sandals Baskets Feather headdress pottery Traders Travel to obtain exotic goods – feathers and stones Trade at market Sometimes cacao beans used for money Also used gold dust & copper

Social There were two classes – nobles and commoners Nobles5-10% of population Trace lineage to first Aztec king Held leadership positions with the government and military Larger homes Had better food including meat Wore nicer, more colorful clothing

Social Commoners All Most were farmers Men tended fields Women household Artisans and traders were seen as important, but were commoners All Children went to school for at least a few years All boys received military training Girls learned the are of homemaking

Social Structure Slaves made up the lowest level of society Could marry Could own property Children were born free Slaves were… captured prisoners of war Commoners who owed a debt Commoners who wanted a better life

Social Aztec Family

Mexico City Zocalo (Plaza)

View of cathedral from Templo Mayor

Templo Mayor Today