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

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

3. 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

4. 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.
                                                                                             

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

6. 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

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

8. 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.

9. 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

10. 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.

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. The plaza today

16. 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.

17. 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

18. 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

19. 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.

20. 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…

21. 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.