Aztec map Aztec 13 th 14 th Centuries

Aztec map

Aztec 13 th & 14 th Centuries – • One of several ethnic groups, living on the edge of Lake Texcoco, the site of present day Mexico City • Mexicas,

Government • Triple Alliance - 15 th century • Tribute empire • Emperor – Codified laws • Conquered people had relative independence and paid taxes as “tribute”

Tenochtitlan • By 1473, after subjugating neighboring tribes, they ruled the largest empire Mexico had ever seen. Their capital of Tenochtitlan, set in the lake, was a picturesque city of pyramids, mile-long floating roads, aqueducts, animated marketplaces, and one hundred thousand residents.

Tenochtitlan Since the land wasn’t fertile the Aztec people used irrigation, fertilizers, and chinampas. Chinampas were floating gardens built on swamps. . No work animals or machines to help them work the land, but the rich had the choice of eating turkeys, ducks, or geese.

Social Structure • Two classes: – Nobility – special status – Commoners – everyone else • Gender roles • Education – MANDATORY FOR EVERYONE!!

Aztec Calendar -The Aztecs used a Calendar similar to The Mayans. It had a 365 day a year Calendar. Aztec mythology: • The first age of mankind ended with the animals devouring humans. • The second age was finished by wind • The third by fire, and the fourth by water. • The present fifth epoch is called Nahui-Olin (Sun of Earthquake), which began in 3113 BC and was supposed to end on December 24, 2011. It was to be the last destruction of human existence on Earth.

Aztec Writing • The Aztec Language was based on symbols representing writing. • They would combine symbols to create sentences.

Mythology • According to an Aztec myth, the white-faced Quetzacuatl - their most important god. • He is the god of intelligence and the god of creation.

Decline • 1519 – arrival of Hernán Cortés • Military and political losses • Small pox (5075% loss of population)