Aim Describe Aztec Society Religion and Urban Planning

Aim: Describe Aztec Society, Religion, and Urban Planning

The Aztec Empire 1200 CE, Aztecs arrive in Valley of Mexico n Valley contained number of small citystates n Aztecs were a poor, nomadic people from harsh deserts of northern Mexico n Aztecs gradually increased in strength and number n 1428: Joined with two other city-states to form the Triple Alliance n Alliance became leading power in Valley of Mexico n Aztecs based their power on military conquests and tribute n

Tenochtitlan: A Planned City Early 1500’s: Tenochtitlan became extraordinary urban center n Population between 200, 000 -400, 000 n Remained on island site n To connect the island to mainland, Aztec engineers built 3 raised road called causeways over water n At center of city was massive complex n Filled with temples, palaces, and buildings n Main structure was Great Temple n

Religion Rules Aztec Life n Played major role in Aztec society n 1, 000 gods that Aztec’s worshipped Religious practices centered on elaborate public ceremonies n Designed to communicate with gods n Priests made offerings to gods n Most important ritual involved sun god n Without regular offerings of human blood, sun god would become too weak n For this reason, priests practiced human sacrifice on large scale n Thousands led to top of Great Temple n Priests would carve out their hearts n Sacrificial victims included slaves & n