The Aztecs & Daily Life in Tenochtitlan EQs: How did the Aztec rise to power? What was daily life like for Aztecs?

Valley of Mexico Dominated from 100 to 650 by Teotihuacans Toltecs dominate in 10th and 11th centuries Aztecs arrive in mid 1200s                                                                                                                                                                                                               

Early Treatment of the Aztecs Aztecs (Mexica) were considered barbarians by other tribes Aztecs work as mercenaries for other tribes Aztecs are bullied by other tribes and are forced to live in a swamp

Aztec Legend Aztec myth: the Aztecs would settle in a land where an eagle sits on a prickly pear cactus with a snake in its mouth Tenochtitlan, an island in the middle of Lake Texcoco, was a good site because there were plenty of fish and water birds to eat and the island was easy to defend.                                                                                              

Chinampas The Aztecs built their capital by filling in areas of the lake and building small islands called chinampas

Aztec Borrow from Other Cultures Aztec adopt religious practices from Teotihuacans (including Quetzacoatl) Aztecs rulers marry into Toltec royal line Aztec rulers adopt Toltecs as their ancestors

The Triple Alliance Aztec leader Itzcoatl destroyed records of Aztecs origins Itzcoatl forms the Triple Alliance Triple Alliance conquers tribe after tribe

The Aztec Empire Before a declaration of war, the Aztecs would request that the city join their empire as an ally. If they refused, the Aztecs would declare war and attack the city. After the battle captives were brought to Tenochtitlan. Some became slaves, and others were sacrificed.

Tribute Aztec demanded that conquered people pay tribute. Aztec tribute included food, cacao, gems, cotton, animals, animal skins, shells, building materials and soldiers. The tribute was used to help feed the huge population of Tenochtitlan and to pay for warriors, priests, officials, and servants

The Aztec Empire The Aztecs demanded that the city pay tribute to the Aztecs, promise to obey the ruler, and honor the Aztec gods. These conditions made it easy for the Aztecs to rule. However, most conquered people never felt any allegiance to the Aztecs, and this led to a lack of unity in the empire.

Tenochtitlan: A City of Wonders Tenochtitlan had four wide avenues, which were swept and washed every day and allowed people to move around easily. The city also had an aqueduct that carried fresh water into the city from miles away. Top Image: The Great Pyramid Center Image: Map of Tenochtitlan  

Markets People bartered (traded one good for another) for all kinds of goods The pochteca sold such goods as jade, quetzal feathers, and tortoiseshells Guards made sure sellers acted honestly People came to the market to socialize

Tenochtitlan Features It had three great causeways It had an aviary at the royal zoo. A 10 mile long dike protected the city from flooding

The Great Temple The Great Temple was the most important building in Tenochtitlan. It was 150 feet tall. It was in the main plaza where important religious ceremonies took place, including human sacrifices

The plaza today

Religious Practices Aztecs worshipped the sun god, Huitzilopochtli, as well as many other gods. Most Aztecs rituals included blood sacrifice, since the Aztecs believed that blood kept their gods strong. Priests often offered their own blood Thousands of people may have been sacrificed every year.

Class Structure Ruler or Emperor: semi-divine; position not solely hereditary; chosen by a group of advisors Nobles: government officials, priests, and military leaders Commoners: listed in order- 1. pochteca (merchants), 2. craftspeople and artisans, 3. farmer, fishers, laborers, and servants. Lived in calpullis or wards Peasants hired out their services to nobles Slaves were prisoners of war, lawbreakers, and debtors

Marriage Men married around age 20, girls 16 A matchmaker helped to set up a marriage and a dowry was arranged Aztec men could have more than one wife (polygamy), but only one was the “primary” wife Men and women could divorce if they had a good reason

Food Maize (corn), the mainstay of Aztec diet, was used to make common foods like tortillas and tamales Turkeys and hairless dogs were raised to eat. Aztecs ate frogs, shrimp, insect eggs, and algae Wealthy Aztecs ate cocoa, pineapples, oysters, and crabs.

Family Life Married women could own property or sell goods Giving birth was honored as much as fighting wars Children of commoners were expected to help with chores All boys attended schools: commoners were trained to be soldiers; nobles were trained to be priests, generals, etc…

Recreation Patolli, a board game, was popular Tlachtli, played only by the nobles, was a game in which players tried to hit a rubber ball through a small ring. Spectators from all classes watched tlachtli games.