1. The Aztecs
Empire of Conquest

2. Mesoamerica:
Land of the Aztecs

3. Origins of the Aztecs Nomadic people migrate into valley of Mexico.
Settle on island in Lake Texcoco.
Influenced by Teotihuacan and Mayan Culture

7. The Codex Mendoza : The Founding of Tenochtitlan

8. Document A: The Codex Mendoza

9. Tenochtitlan: Venice of the Americas
The capital city of the Aztecs.
(Modern day Mexico City)
400,000 people.
Bigger than any European city of its time.
Wide-stone causeways linked Tenochtitlan to the mainland.

10. Tenochtitalan

11. Aztec View of Tenochtitlan

12. Ruins of Tenochtitlan:
Mexico City

13. Agriculture Aztecs adapt to their unique environment
Build artificial islands in the lake called Chinampas to use as farmland.

14. Chinampa: Floating Garden 15-30 ft wide

15. Trade
The Aztecs most valuable trade items was obsidian, a polished and very sharp volcanic glass.

16. Document B

17. Government
Aztecs built a large empire through conquest of local tribes.
Led by a single warrior king (monarchy).
Tributary State: Demanded payment of tribute from conquered peoples.
Prisoners of war were required for human sacrifice.
Wealth turned their capital into a great city.

18. Aztec Society Social Hierarchy similar to Maya
High stature for soldiers
drawn from noble class
Priests:
Masters of rituals.
Most were Commoners and Farmers

19. Religious Beliefs and Culture
Polytheistic
Priests perform rituals to please the gods.
Huitzilopochtli is the chief god – controlled the rising sun.
Human sacrifice performed on a massive scale.
Most victims were prisoners of war.

20. Aztec Human Sacrifice

21. Aztec Human Sacrifice

23. Aztecs Sacrifice Neighboring Tribes to the Sun God

24. Heart Sacrifice on an Aztec Temple Pyramid

25. Wall of Skulls: Tenochtitlan

26. Achievements
Aztec Sun Calendar
Derived from Maya calendar.

27. Architecture and Urban Design
Temples
Aqueducts
Canals
Causeways – Land bridges connecting islands to the mainland.

28. Aztec Writing and Math Aztec Math
Writing and Math derived from the Maya.
Aztec Math

29. Aztec Gold Jewelry

30. Aztec Sun Motifs

31. Decline of the Aztecs
The Aztecs were conquered by Spanish Conquistadors in (Cortes)
The wealth of the empire was plundered.
Aztec lands became a Spanish colony

32. Summary of Aztecs