1. Zapotec, teotihuacan, toltec, aztec

2. Zapotec

3. People of the Oaxaca Valley
For centuries, lived in scattered villages throughout fertile valley with mild climate
1000 BCE San Jose Mogote: emerges as main power in region
Facial similarities to the Olmec seen in sculptures

4. Zapotec Culture Markers
Stone platforms, temples, monument sculptures
500 BC early forms of writing and a calendar system
A funerary urn in the shape of a "bat god" or a jaguar, from Oaxaca, dated to CE 300–650. Height: 9.5 in

5. Monte Alban: 1st urban center in Americas
500 BC on a mountain top, could view the entire valley
Home to about 15,000-25,000 people
Giant plazas paved with stone, pyramids, temples, and palaces, observatory for stars
Residential space around city center

6. Grand Plaza: Monte Alban

7. Zapotec Decline Sometime after 600 CE
Possibly from loss of trade or other economic difficulties
Palace of Columns, Mitla, Oaxaca
Jade Zapotec warrior's mask from, Monte Alban

8. Time out!
What did the Zapotec have in their urban center that will remain in future urban development?
What are some similarities between the Olmec and Zapotec?
What geographic features made the Oaxaca Valley suitable for the Zapotec?

9. Teotihuacan

10. Early City-state: large urban centers
Population 150, ,000 people
Central avenue with 20 pyramids for various gods
People lived in apartment block buildings
Thriving trade network: obsidian, green or black volcanic glass used to make sharp weapons
Pyramid of the Sun: 200 feet tall

11. Teotihuacan Decline
There is no evidence that Teotihuacan conquered its neighbors or tried to create an empire but their art and religion is spread throughout Mesoamerica
Teotihuacan declines from either internal conflict of ruling class or outside invasion

12. Toltecs take Over

13. Toltec Warrior Gods
Toltecs worshipped many warrior gods, based on conquest
Warrior god demanded blood and sacrifice from his followers
Stone pillars, pyramids and temples for warrior gods

14. Topiltzin Changes Religion
Sometime after 1000 BCE, ruler name Topiltzin tries to end human sacrifice and encourage worship of Quetzalcoatl: “feathered serpent”
Followers of the war gods rebelled and Topiltzin and Quetzacoatl were banished
They become a legend and are supposed to return and bring light and peace to the people

15. Time out! On what was Teotihuacan’s power and wealth based?
What is believed to be the decline of Teotihuacan?
Why would a ruler try to change a state religion?
Who was the thought to be the return of the legendary Topiltzin and Quetzalcoatl?

16. Aztecs

18. Tenochtitlan Under modern day Mexico City (leveled by Spaniards
Extraordinary urban center by 1500 CE, population between 200,000 and 400,000 (larger than London or any other European capital at the time!)
Great Temple dedicated to the Sun God and Rain God

20. Aztec Power Based on military conquest
Loose government run by local officials, emperor is supreme
Tribute: in the form of gold, maize, cacao beans, cotton, jade and other products
If you refused to pay, the Aztecs responded brutally

21. Geography Geniuses
Raised roads (causeways) to connect island to mainland
Farming done on chinampas: farm plots built on marsh

22. Religion Rules Aztec Life
Worshipped 1,000 gods, including Quetzacoatl from the Toltecs
Elaborate public ceremonies to communicate with gods in order to please them

23. Human Sacrifice
Sun god: Huitzilopotchli made the sun rise every day. When the sun set, he had to battle evil to bring about the next day. To make him strong, the Aztec people offered human blood. If they did not do this, the sun would not rise. Priests carved out hearts with obsidian.

24. Time out! How did the Aztecs rule their empire?
How did the Aztecs overcome geographic problems?
Why did the Aztecs see human sacrifice as necessary?
How did the need for human sacrifice lead to overpopulation and problems controlling the empire?

27. Montezuma and Aztec Decline
1502 Montezuma II: empire begins to weaken because ruler wants more tribute and sacrifice
Leads to unrest and rebellion
Aztecs predict bad things will happen: lightning strikes temple, solar eclipse…the Spanish
I will get my revenge!!!