Aztec Midterm

Teotihuacan

An ancient Mesoamerican city known for its monumental pyramids and influence on later cultures, including the Aztecs.

Tula

The capital city of the Toltecs, an influential Mesoamerican civilization that predated the Aztecs.

Olmecs

Considered the "mother culture" of Mesoamerica, known for their colossal stone heads and artistic traditions. (1600-400bc)

Chinampas

Artificial flower islands created in shallow lake beds, used by the Aztecs for innovative agriculture.

Templo Mayor

The main temple in Tenochtitlan, dedicated to the gods Huitzilopochtli and Tlaloc, reflecting Aztec religious importance.

Atlatl

A spear-thrower that increased the force and range of projectiles, significant for hunting and warfare.

Calpolli

A basic social and administrative unit in Aztec society, similar to a neighborhood or district.

Triple Alliance

The political alliance between Tenochtitlan, Texcoco, and Tlacopan that formed the basis of the Aztec Empire.

Pulque

An alcoholic beverage made from fermented agave sap, commonly consumed in Aztec society.

Quetzalcoatl

A prominent Mesoamerican deity depicted as a feathered serpent, god of rain, agriculture, science, and more

Tlaloc

The Aztec god of rain, water, and fertility, crucial for an agricultural society.

Tezcatlipoca

A powerful god associated with the night sky, sorcery, and conflict, often seen as a rival to Quetzalcoatl.

Calendar Stone

An intricately carved stone disc representing the Aztec cosmos and calendar system.

Zapotecs

A major Mesoamerican civilization known for its writing system and the city of Monte Albán.

Codex

A book or manuscript made of bark paper or animal hides, important for recording history and rituals.

Prismatic Blade

A type of stone tool characterized by its long, narrow shape and sharp edges.

Chert

A hard, fine-grained rock used to make tools and weapons due to its ability to be chipped into sharp edges.

Itzcoatl

An important Aztec ruler who expanded the empire's territory and strengthened its political power (1428-1440)

Tlacaelel

A powerful advisor who shaped Aztec society and religion during Itzcoatl's reign.

Atzcapotzalco

A rival city-state conquered by the Aztecs, marking a significant moment in their rise to power.

Reciprocity

A fundamental principle of social interaction in Aztec society involving the exchange of goods and services.

Duality

The concept of opposing but complementary forces central to the Aztec worldview.

Cyclical Time

The belief that time moves in cycles, reflected in the Aztec calendar system.

Pantheism

The religious belief that the universe, nature, and reality are the same as a supreme entity or divinity

"Flowery Wars"

A form of ritualistic warfare aimed at capturing prisoners for sacrifice rather than territorial conquest.

Tlaxcalla

A city-state that remained independent of the Aztec Empire and later allied with the Spanish.

Autosacrifice

The practice of individuals offering their own blood to the gods, highlighting the importance of sacrifice in Aztec religion.

New Fire Ceremony

A significant ritual at the end of a 52-year cycle in the Aztec calendar symbolizing renewal.

Chichimecs

Nomadic peoples who migrated to the Basin of Mexico; the Aztecs considered themselves their descendants.

Cacaoatl

Cacao beans used to make a highly valued drink and served as a form of currency.

Early Aztec Period

The period before the formation of the Triple Alliance when the Aztecs were establishing themselves. (1325-1521)

Macehualli

Commoners in Aztec society, primarily involved in agriculture and craft production.

Late Aztec Period

The period from the formation of the Triple Alliance to the Spanish Conquest, marked by expansion. (~1521)

Ballgame

A ritual game with religious and political significance played throughout Mesoamerica.

Patolli

A board game enjoyed by the Aztecs for entertainment and divination.

Jade

A precious green stone prized by the Aztecs for its beauty and symbolic associations.

Obsidian

A volcanic glass used for tools, weapons, and ornaments due to its sharp edges.

Chacmool

A type of Mesoamerican sculpture depicting a reclining figure holding a bowl, often associated with sacrifice.

Quetzal Feathers

Iridescent green feathers of the quetzal bird, valued for beauty and used in elite attire.

Eccentrics

flint or obsidian blade shaped into unusual or elaborate forms such as animals or other figures

Maize

the staple crop of the Aztecs and other Mesoamerican cultures. was central to their diet and agriculture

Terracing

An agricultural technique involving the creation of stepped platforms on hillsides to increase arable land and prevent erosion

Tlatelolco Market

A massive marketplace in the Aztec capital of Tenochtitlan. It was a hub of economic activity and a testament to the empire's wealth and trade networks.

Chicomoztoc

A mythical place of origin in Aztec belief, often described as a cave or a seven-chambered place from which their ancestors emerged.

Aztlan

The legendary homeland of the Aztecs, from which they migrated to the Basin of Mexico. The exact location remains uncertain

Coatlicue

The Aztec earth goddess, depicted as a fearsome figure wearing a skirt of snakes. She represents the duality of life and death, creation and destruction

State Ideology

The ideas and beliefs that legitimized the power of the Aztec state. These ideologies often emphasized the divine right of rulers and the importance of maintaining cosmic order through ritual and sacrifice

Xipe Totec

The Aztec god of spring, agriculture, and renewal. Was associated with the shedding of skin, symbolizing rebirth and the cycle of growth

Calmecac

A school for the sons of Aztec nobles, where they received training in leadership, religion, and warfare

Telpochcalli

A school for commoner boys, where they learned practical skills and military training

Pochetca

Long-distance merchants who played a crucial role in the Aztec economy. They traveled extensively, trading goods and gathering information

Metate

(mealing stone) a type of quern, a ground stone tool used for processing grains and seeds

Sweatbath

(temazcalli) a space serving as a central part of healing, purification, and spiritual practice (sweat out all the bad stuff, disorienting/ destabalizing → drugs and prostitution outside)

Nanahuatzin

(most humble of gods) sacrificed himself in fire so that he would become the sun god, continuing to shine on earth

Toltecs

Discussed earlier as the civilization whose capital city was Tula, they were a significant influence on the Aztecs

Cuexcomate

small, cone-shaped structure made of volcanic rock often used as a shrine or alter

Test pit

small, exploratory excavation used by archeologists to investigate the stratigraphy and contents of a site

Profile view

drawing or photograph that shows the vertical layers of soil and archeological features in a cross-section to understand the sequence of events

Coatepec

a mythical mountain, often depicted as a serpent, that was the birthplace of Huitzlopochtli, god of war