The Atzec Empire Vocabulary chinampas: human-made islands tribute: taxes paid to rulers Triple Alliance: Aztec joined forces with two other cities, Texcoco and Tlacopan- powerful group and gained control of the entire Valley of Mexico codex: folded sheets with colorful pictures and symbols

Where the Aztec Lived

Hundreds of years after the Olmec and Maya people lost their power the Aztec began building their empire Great capital city= Tenochtitlan= modern day Mexico City The Aztec did their record keeping on codex

Aztec Settlement In the 1100’s the Aztec came to the Valley of Mexico They settled on an island in the center of Lake Texcoco after receiving a “sign” Legend has it that an eagle flew from the sky, perched atop a cactus, and began eating a snake. The Aztec believed it was a “sign” telling them to build their city there. Tenochtitlan means: “place of the prickly pear cactus”

Creating Farmland The Aztec developed a system of agriculture to deal with the poor land around them They carved canals through the marshland The land in the lake was piled up to create small islands about the size of a football field- called chinampas Farmers grew squash, tomatoes, chili peppers, and flowers Maize (the most important crop) was grown in fields on the lake shore

Building a City 3 out of 4 Aztec worked as farmers Others worked to make stone buildings to replace reed huts Others built 3 long bridges that were used to connect the island to the lake shore

Housing Rulers Most People Lived in grand palaces surrounded by luxurious gardens Some even had their own zoo! Lived in one-room stone or mud houses Had to pay tribute (taxes) to the rulers