1. Aztecs

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

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

7. 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

8. RELIGION
MOCTEZUMA
HUITZILOPOCHTLI

9. 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

10. Achievements
Causeway
Templo Mayor - Canals

11. Achievements
Chinampas
Aqueduct

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

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

14. 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)

15. 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

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

17. 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

18. 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

19. 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

20. 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

21. Social
Aztec Family

22. Mexico City Zocalo (Plaza)

23. View of cathedral from Templo Mayor

24. Templo Mayor Today