Aztec and Inca Empire - Vocabulary Flashcards

VOCABULARY flashcards covering key terms from Aztec and Inca history notes.

Aztlan

Mythical homeland from which the Aztecs migrated as part of their origin legend.

Huitzilopochtli

Aztec sun and war god who guided the people and demanded sacrifices.

Eagle on a cactus with a snake

Iconic sign that led Aztecs to settle on Tenochtitlan

Nahuatl

Aztec language

Tenochtitlan

Aztec capital city founded on Lake Texcoco; major political and ceremonial center.

Lake Texcoco

Large shallow lake in the Valley of Mexico where Tenochtitlan was built; provided defense, land, and water access but caused problems like flooding.

Chinampas

Floating gardens; man-made plots on shallow lake beds used to grow crops year-round.

Quetzalcoatl

Feathered Serpent god associated with wind, learning, and creation.

Tonatiuh

Aztec sun god who required human sacrifices to keep the sun moving.

Tlaloc

Aztec rain god who controlled water for crops and could cause floods or droughts.

Aztec class system

Hierarchical society with aristocracy, warriors, merchants/artisans, farmers, and slaves; not rigid; movement possible.

Montezuma II

Aztec emperor during the Spanish conquest; initially welcomed Cortés, later imprisoned and killed.

Hernán Cortés

Spanish conquistador who led the expedition that toppled the Aztec Empire.

Tlaxcalans

Indigenous enemies of the Aztecs who allied with Cortés against them.

Columbian Exchange

Exchange of crops, animals, and diseases between the Americas and the Old World; had major global effects.

Inca Mitma

Inca policy of relocating groups to different regions to promote control and spread culture.

Tahuantinsuyu

Inca Empire’s four-quarters division; land of Four Quarters.

Cuzco

Capital of the Inca Empire.

Quipu

Inca knot-based record-keeping system used to track population, resources, and taxes.

Machu Picchu

An ancient Inca city located in the Andes Mountains, known for its well-preserved ruins and agricultural terraces.

Francisco Pizarro

Spanish conquistador who led the expedition that conquered the Inca Empire.

Atahualpa

The last emperor of the Inca Empire, who was captured and executed by Francisco Pizarro, ultimately leading to the fall of the empire.

Battle of Cajamarca

A decisive battle during the Spanish conquest of the Inca Empire, where Atahualpa was captured by Francisco Pizarro and his forces in 1532.