Aztec 2

Mesoamerica

The region in the Americas that includes central Mexico, where the Aztecs lived.

Tenochtitlán

The Aztec capital city built on an island in the middle of a lake.

Lake (Texcoco)

The lake in the Valley of Mexico where Tenochtitlán was built.

Valley of Mexico

The area of central Mexico where many Aztec cities and towns were located.

Mexica

What the Aztec people called themselves; the name “Mexico” comes from this word.

Polytheistic

Believing in many gods and goddesses.

Sun god

The most important part of Aztec religion; they called themselves the “People of the Sun.”

Human sacrifices

Rituals in which people were killed because Aztecs believed this is what the gods required.

Offerings

Things given to the gods to please them and give them more strength and energy.

Warriors

Aztec men who fought in battles and helped the empire conquer other people.

Hunters and builders

Other common jobs for Aztec men besides being warriors.

Women

Took care of the home and children and made clothing.

Farmers

Most Aztecs; they grew food for the empire.

Traders

People who traded goods for money or other goods.

Craftworkers

People who created jewelry, pottery, sculptures, and other handmade goods.

Monarchy

A government ruled by a king, queen, or emperor who inherits power from their family.

Huey Tlatoani

The title of the Aztec ruler who had the ultimate power in the land.

Laws

Rules the Aztecs had against stealing, murder, intoxication, and property damage.

Punishments

Very harsh penalties for crimes, including death, destruction of property, slavery, or shaving your head.

Agriculture

Farming, which along with trade and tribute formed the basis of the Aztec Empire.

Corn, beans, and squash

The three main crops that were staples of the Aztec diet.

Chinampas

“Floating gardens,” man

Social hierarchy

The social pyramid that showed the different classes in Aztec society.

Language and writing systems

The spoken and written ways the Aztecs communicated.

Nahuatl

The spoken language of the Aztecs.

Glyphs

Symbols used in Aztec writing to represent events, items, or ideas.

Pictures

Drawings the Aztecs used instead of an alphabet to record information.

Priests

The only people who could read and write the difficult Aztec writing system.

Technology

Tools and inventions the Aztecs created to help their empire’s economy.

Obsidian, chert, copper, and stone

Materials the Aztecs used to make weapons and tools.

Macuahuitl

A wooden club with several sharp obsidian blades used as a weapon.

Calendars

Systems the Aztecs used to track time and important events.