Aztecs
Geography Legend to settle where eagle is perched on cactus with snake in its beak
Geography Aztecs settled in the Valley of Mexico on a small island in the middle of Lake Texcoco Valley of Mexico is in the highland basin of central Mexico 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 for 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 Costal 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
Politics No true central government Loose collection of city-states Maintained control through military force Led by a king King selected by council of nobles
Politics New king had to prove military skills and win tribute King had five advisors One prime minister – run day to day affairs Four military generals
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 Artisans Sandals Baskets Feather headdress pottery Traders Travel to obtain exotic goods – feathers and stones Trade at market Sometimes cacao beans used for money
Social There were two classes – nobles and commoners Nobles 5-10% of population Trace lineage to first Aztec king Held leadership positions with the government and military
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
Social Aztec Family
Mexico City Zocalo (Plaza)
View of cathedral from Templo Mayor
Templo Mayor Today