Aztecs

Capital of the Aztec Empire, located on an island in Lake Texcoco. Its population was about 250,000 on the eve of Spanish conquest. Mexico City was constructed on its ruins.

Tenochtitlan

Artificial gardens on floating islands/farms that surrounded Tenochtitlan. Built because of lack of available farmland

Chinampas

paid by captured cities, kept Aztec economy stable

Tribute

to appease gods, they thought it would ensure the gods gave them rain and fertile land

human sacrifice

transport water to Tenotchtitlan, two pipes so that while one was in use the other could be cleaned

Aqueducts

best known Aztec ruler. Was the last Emperor in power when the Spanish arrived. Welcomed Cortes - did not fight

Moctezuma II

Spanish conquistedor, conquered Aztec Empire. Aztec Emperor believed he was a god.

Cortes

Spanish soldiers and explorers who led military expeditions in the Americas and captured land for Spain

conquistadors

Lake where the capital city of the ancient Aztecs Tenochtitlan was built

Lake Texcoco

a raised road built by the Aztecs across the lake from their capital city to a mainland

causeways

Aztecs believed in many of these and believed that they controlled nature & human activities.

many gods (polytheistic)

emperor, nobles, merchants, traders, and craftsmen, farmers and commoners, slaves

Aztec Social Order

Ruins of the Aztec capital Tenochtitlan were found under this present day city.

Mexico City

Arrived on the shores of Mexico in 1519.

Spanish

When an Aztec Priest offered a sacrifice to the gods, he would cut this out while the victim was still alive.

heart

This disease contributed to the end of the Aztec civilization.

Small Pox

a channel dug by people, used by boats or for irrigation

canal

a person whose job is copying written information

scribe

A pictorial book. An ancient book with handwritten pages or parts.

codex

a picture or drawing that stands for a word or phrase

pictogram

a chair attached to two beams and carried on the shoulders of several people

litter

a period of time in which a king or queen rules

reign

a civilization that once thrived in present-day Mexico

Aztec

a group of countries or territories under the control of one government or one ruler

empire

the ruler of an empire

emperor

A method of growing plants without soil by using mineral nutrient solutions in a water solvent

Hydroponics

Basket ball like game played by the Aztecs

Ulama

Aztecs used morning glory vine to help make this substance

Rubber

Number of months in Aztec Farming Calendar

18

Number days in Aztec Sacred Calendar

260