1. The Aztecs

2. To understand the Aztec…
You need to understand that the Aztec were terrified that the world could end at any second.
So before we talk about the end, we need to talk about the beginning.

3. Creation Myth
Like many civilizations, the creation myth plays a vital role in understanding daily life of the Aztecs.
In the beginning, there was nothing. A black empty void. Then, out of nowhere, Ometeotl was born.
Ometeotl gave birth to 4 children
Tezcatlipoca (North)
Huizilopochtli (South)
Quetzalcoatl (East) REMEMBER HIM
Xipe Totec (West)

4. Myth continued
All of Ometeol’s children wanted to rule the Earth, so Ometeol killed her children and they fell to the Earth.
Their bones formed humans (that’s why humans come in all shapes and sizes) and
Their other parts formed the rest of the universe.
Quetzalcoatl (The East) became the wind and the Sea.
Between the 4 of them, their spirits took turns ruling the Sun
The Aztecs believed that they needed to make these Gods happy, otherwise the Sun would go out.

5. Constant contact with the Gods
The Aztec communicated daily with their Gods, and used their wisdom to find the perfect location to start their civilization.

6. Aztec Location
Legend said that paradise would be found where an eagle is perched atop a cactus eating a snake. The city was named Tenochtitlan, and they built their empire around it.

7. Aztecs

8. Fun with Flags! - Mexico
I get it, I’m a nerd

10. Tenochtitlan was the largest city in the world for many centuries.
Buildings were over 200 feet tall, and larger than the pyramids of Egypt.
Immense trading system

11. When captured by Spanish conquistadors, Tenochtitlán was possibly the largest city in the world

12. School
To build Tenochtitlan into the city they wanted, the Aztec knew that they would need many engineers, builders, and other specialist.
To solve this problem, the Aztecs set up a system of public schools.
All Aztec children went to school where they learned Aztec history, religion, and a specialized profession.

13. All-Girls School
There were three different schools: one for girls, and two for boys.
Girls learned about religion and were trained to be good wives and mothers. They learned how to cook, sew, and how to care for their children. They also learned how to make beautiful woven textiles.

14. Sons of the Upper Class
Sons of the upper class went to the nobles’ school.
They studied law, writing (hieroglyphics), medicine, engineering and building, interpretation of dreams and omens.
They also learned about their history and religious beliefs.
It was a tough school. The boys were humiliated and tormented to toughen them up.

15. Sons of Commoners and Slaves
Commoners went to a separate school. Its main goal was to train warriors and farmers.
They were given hard bread to eat.
The commoners’ school also taught history, religion, manners, correct behavior, and important rituals, along with singing and dancing.

16. Farming
To solve the issue of growing crops in a swampy area, the Aztec built chimampas.
Chinampas are “floating” gardens built on a series of rafts, which were anchored to the lake bed. They piled dirt on top of the rafts and grew crops on them.
The gardens were quite successful. The Aztecs grew chili peppers, squash, corn, tomatoes, and beans.

18. Government
At the top of the social class was, the emperor. He was looked upon as a God by the people.

19. Government 2 Main social classes:
The nobles included military, and priests
The commoners included merchants, artists, and farmers
The Lowest class were slaves and prisoners of war who were forced into slavery.

21. Economy
With the massive size of Tenochtitlan, the Aztecs needed more space and resources. This eventually led to massive trade networks with other Mesoamericans.
Depended on other cultures for their own survival.

22. (Economy) Massive Markets
The Aztecs centralized their resources in a market called Tlatelolco.
Up to 60,000 people would work at this market. It was open 24 hours throughout the year.

24. Economy

25. Economy What crops did they trade? Tobacco Beans Peppers Squash
Maize (corn)
Avocados
Sweet Potato's

27. Aztec Religion Polytheistic Huitzilopochtli, the sun God
Fought with darkness each night to raise the sun
No promise the sun would win and rise
Sacrifice ensured sun would rise

28. Aztec Religion- Human Sacrifice
About 20,000 per year
Bodies taken to the top of pyramids ,chests were cut open, heart ripped out, and body thrown off
Mostly prisoners of war, some slaves, some nobles
Constant warfare necessary to have enough prisoners of war around to sacrifice

30. Human Sacrifice Video

31. War
Because daily sacrifices were required, the Aztec were continuously at war.
War was an important part of Aztec life.
The Aztec conquered over 400 cities in Mexico.
Prisoners they captured served as slaves or as human sacrifices.

32. Aztec Art
The Aztecs rarely kept their art. It all went to the nobility or they traded it to other nations.
Unlike Mayan and Olmec Art, Aztec Art was very lifelike. You can tell different ages, and expressions on faces.
Topics were mostly Death. (Go figure)

34. Problems within the Aztec Empire
Aztec empire grew too large, they became less able to control conquered areas & people
Rebellions formed, people refused to pay their tribute

35. Montezuma II Became Emperor in 1502 Last Aztec Emperor
Tried to reform Aztec society & put down rebellions
Then the Spanish arrived

36. Compass
Remember This?
North
Center
West
East
South

37. Remember Quetzalcoatl?
One of the main Aztec Gods worshiped.
Believed he would come across the sea and take his place on the throne to rule the Aztec people.