The Aztec Capital of Tenochtitlán

Review flashcards based on the key concepts regarding the Aztec Empire, specifically focusing on Tenochtitlán and its significance.

What was Tenochtitlán?

The capital of the Aztec Empire in the 1300s and 1400s.

Where is Tenochtitlán located?

On two swampy islands in the middle of Lake Texcoco.

What technique did the Aztec use to create gardens in Lake Texcoco?

They built chinampas, or floating gardens, using layers of mud and plants.

What were the two main gods worshiped at the Templo Mayor?

Huitzilopochtli, the sun god, and Tlaloc, the rain god.

How was Tenochtitlán organized?

It was laid out on a grid with four quadrants, each containing 20 districts called calpullin.

What type of houses did commoners in Tenochtitlán live in?

Houses made from adobe, with some having peaked thatch roofs or flat earthen roofs for gardens.

What challenge did the Aztec face regarding water in Tenochtitlán?

Lake Texcoco contained salt water, so they had to construct aqueducts to bring fresh water from the mainland.

What was the significance of the ball game known as ullamaliztli?

It was often played as part of religious rituals, and players could be sacrificed.

What was the purpose of sacrifices in Aztec culture?

To nourish the gods and prevent catastrophic events like the sun failing to rise.

What crops did the Aztec cultivate?

Corn, beans, squash, tomatoes, amaranth, and chilies.