1. Aztecs The Greatest Post-Classic Mesoamerican civilization The Greatest Post-Classic Mesoamerican civilization Usually called themselves Tenocha, or Mexica Usually called themselves Tenocha, or Mexica Came onto the basin of Mexico and tried to find a place to settle, on the shore of Lake Texcoco. Came onto the basin of Mexico and tried to find a place to settle, on the shore of Lake Texcoco. Unfortunately for the Aztecs all the good land was taken by other people. Unfortunately for the Aztecs all the good land was taken by other people. So for many generations they led miserable lives as mercenaries or laborers for the tribes already there. So for many generations they led miserable lives as mercenaries or laborers for the tribes already there.

2. Aztec Legend 1345- Fleeing from an enemy they took refuge on several marshy islands on the lake. 1345- Fleeing from an enemy they took refuge on several marshy islands on the lake. Aztec legend- Eagle with a snake in its mouth perched on a cactus (eagle commanded them to build temples and feed the sun with the blood of sacrifice victims. Aztec legend- Eagle with a snake in its mouth perched on a cactus (eagle commanded them to build temples and feed the sun with the blood of sacrifice victims.

3. They grew and allied with two other towns and destroyed their former employers (1428) By 1500 Aztec rule stretched from the Pacific Ocean the Gulf of Mexico (28 Million People) They grew and allied with two other towns and destroyed their former employers (1428) By 1500 Aztec rule stretched from the Pacific Ocean the Gulf of Mexico (28 Million People) 250,000 capital city 250,000 capital city Drain swamp land Drain swamp land Fresh water to main land Fresh water to main land Aztec empire focused on gathering tribute for sacrifice in the form of: Aztec empire focused on gathering tribute for sacrifice in the form of: Food Food Luxury goods Luxury goods Victims for blood Victims for blood

4. Aztec Society Generally didn’t maintain a military occupation of their conquests. If the flow of tributes got low they would subdue the territory again. The true basis of Aztec society was war. (War was essential in the functioning of economy and religion.

5. Aztec Society All males had to serve in army All males had to serve in army You could move up the social status depending on your services (NOT HEREDITARY) You could move up the social status depending on your services (NOT HEREDITARY) Priests could be male or female Priests could be male or female Commoners owned personal possessions, but not the land they worked Commoners owned personal possessions, but not the land they worked Large population was between an indentured servant and slave

6. Aztec religion focused in nourishing the sun, which in return furnished the light necessary for life. The food for the sun god was human hearts, taken from the chests of live sacrificial victims

7. The numbers of sacrifices are unknown, but sacrificed as many as 20,000 in one celebration. (When Montezuma came to the thrown in 1502; 40,000 were sacrificed) They would often do the same for other gods.

8. Aztec Art Gold, copper, silver, tin, bronze in their metal work Gold, copper, silver, tin, bronze in their metal work Main art was carving stone statues Main art was carving stone statues Literature was mostly poetry Literature was mostly poetry Aztecs- “Romans of the new world” Aztecs- “Romans of the new world” Skilled Rulers Skilled Rulers Excellent Builders Excellent Builders Fine Sculptors Fine Sculptors