Aztecs Geography Legend According to legend the chief

Aztecs

Geography Legend • According to legend, the chief god of the Aztecs told them to settle where they saw an eagle perched on cactus with snake in its beak

Geography • Valley of Mexico is in the highland basin of central Mexico • Lies between two mountain ranges • Several large shallow lakes covered the basin • Around 1200 nomadic tribes began to settle in the Valley of Mexico – the last group to arrive were the Mexica now know as the Aztecs • The Mexica were considered barbarians and kicked out of every place they settled – they found refuge on a small island in the middle of Lake Texcoco • They named their settlement Tenochtitlan

Geography • Tenochtitlan was a good place to settle because • Easy to defend • It was a rich source of food • It was easy to get to for trading • Canals made transportation and getting around easy

Geography • Aztecs at their height • Empire had 10 million people • Valley of Mexico about 1 million people • Tenochtitlan – 200, 000 people • Central Mexico • West coast of Guatemala • Moctezuma was the leader beginning in 1502

Geography & History • Downfall of the civilization began in 1519 with the arrival of Hernan Cortes and the Spaniards • Military fighting • Diseases – small pox

Religion • Worshiped many gods • Kings ruled with the blessing of the gods • Tezcatlipoca • All powerful god • Tlaloc • God of rain (water and harvest) • Huitzilopochtli • MOST IMPORTANT GOD • Brought success in battle • Kept sun in sky • Human sacrifice kept Huitzilopochtli strong & sun in sky

RELIGION MOCTEZUMA HUITZILOPOCHTLI

Achievements • Architects • • Templo Mayor • Largest temple in the plaza • Two shrines at the top • One for Tlaloc Raised up road that connected the island to the shore Brought fresh water to the island Avenues & canals • • • Aqueducts • • One for Huitzilopochtil Causeway • • • Made travel easy Chinampas • Floating islands • Plots of gardens or fields for farming • Used to expand land Dikes • Prevent flooding and circulate water for chinampas

Achievements Causeway Templo Mayor Canals

Achievements Chinampas Aqueduct

Achievements • Artisans • Baskets, pottery, and sandals • Jewelry • Mosaics • Feather work – headdresses, capes, & shields

Achievements Language • Skilled orators • Tell stories from past and legends of the gods • Nahuatl is Aztec language • Poetry – most famous form of literature

Politics • No true central government • Loose collection of city-states led by local chiefs • Maintained control through military force • Empire led by a king • King was selected by council of nobles 4 military commanders & 1 prime minister (day-to-day operations)

Politics • New king had to prove military skills and win tribute (goods paid as taxes by conquered people) • Went to war to… • Gain military tribute • Capture prisoners for human sacrifice

Politics • Lower level of advisors • Judges • Clerks • Tax collectors • Cities were divided into districts called calulli • Led by district chief

Economy • For most commoners life centered around farming • Men tended fields • Women household duties • Artisans and traders were well respected commoners • • Artisans • Sandals • Baskets • Feather headdress • pottery Traders • Travel to obtain exotic goods – feathers and stones • Trade at market • Sometimes cacao beans used for money • Also used gold dust & copper

Social • There were two classes – nobles and commoners • Nobles 5 -10% of population • Trace lineage to first Aztec king • Held leadership positions with the government and military • Larger homes • Had better food including meat • Wore nicer, more colorful clothing

Social • Commoners • • Most were farmers • Men tended fields • Women household Artisans and traders were seen as important, but were commoners • All • Children went to school for at least a few years • All boys received military training • Girls learned the are of homemaking

Social Structure • Slaves made up the lowest level of society • Could marry • Could own property • Children were born free • Slaves were… • captured prisoners of war • Commoners who owed a debt • Commoners who wanted a better life

Social Aztec Family

Mexico City Zocalo (Plaza)

View of cathedral from Templo Mayor

Templo Mayor Today