Mesoamerica Mayan Aztec Empires Climate of Mesoamerica Warm
- Slides: 14
Mesoamerica: Mayan & Aztec Empires
Climate of Mesoamerica Warm Temperatures n Plentiful Rainfall n Rich volcanic soils n – Good for growing crops like maize, beans, and squash.
Early Mesoamerican Civilizations n Olmec – (1200 BC to 300 AD) n Zapotec – (1500 BC to 750 AD) n Toltec – (900 to 1200 AD)
The Aztecs n Located in modern day Mexico, and Tenochtitlan was the capital city and is located in what is now present day Mexico City.
Rise of the Aztec Empire n According to legend, the war god told one of the tribes’ leaders that they should look for a place where they saw an eagle perched on a cactus eating a snake. It was there that they should settle and build a new capital. – They built Tenochtitlan after the prediction came true, and it was on a swampy island in Lake Texcoco.
Rise of the Aztec Empire Cont… n Population consisted of farmers & warriors. – Allied with Texcoco and Tlacopan. n After the alliance was formed the empire gained control over many region. – Ruled 400 – 500 other city-states. – 5 Million people under Aztec rule.
Aztec Empire n Conquered people paid tribute. – Tribute was a type of tax. n The Aztec Empire gained wealth: – Trade – Tribute
Tenochtitlan n Size n – Five square miles n n Approximately 3200 acres Population – 200, 000 Architecture – – – Walled City Pyramid Temples Palaces Ball court “Floating Gardens” n Chinampas – Canals – Markets
Aztec Society n Social Classes King Priests & Warriors Though people were born into a certain class it was possible to move up the ranks within a life time. Also apart of the middle class • Merchants and Artisans Farmers Slaves & Prisoners of War
Aztec Religion n Main deity in the Aztec religion was Huitzilopochtli and was known as both the sun god and war god. – Human sacrifice was practiced heavily in the Aztec religion. n Believed that these sacrifices gave power to the gods which in turn would insure the survival of the Aztec civilization.
Religion n War captives were used in the sacrifices – In times of peace the Aztec would have to resort to ritualistic warfar. n In the year 1487 the Aztecs reported killing 84, 400 war prisoners in four days at the great pyramid of Tenochitlan. – After a town was conquered the inhabitants where no longer eligible of sacrifice and became Aztec citizens.
Aztec Art n The Aztecs also made other religious and non-religious artifacts such as jade masks. – These artifacts were sold in markets by visiting merchants.
Aztec Achievements n Written Record – Glyphs- symbols that represented both objects and sounds. n Kept n track of tax record and business details. Astronomy – Calendar like the Mayans, but they also tracked the movements of some planets.
THAT’S ALL FOLKS!
- Aztec mayan inca map
- Maritime and land based empires
- Aztecs mayans incas
- What was the climate in mesoamerica
- Climate in mesoamerica
- Aztec inca maya timeline
- Aztec mayan inca timeline
- 1200
- Where did the olmec live
- Am i aztec or mayan
- Aztec and mayan similarities
- Tenochtitlan today
- Inca diorama
- Aztec and mayan map
- Climate change 2014 mitigation of climate change