Aztec Notes

The Aztecs

Rise of the Aztecs

  • The Aztecs were located in modern-day Mexico.
  • Tenochtitlan was the capital city, situated in what is now Mexico City.
  • Legend: The Mexicans would found a great civilization where they saw an eagle perched on a cactus growing out of a rock.
  • The city was created on Lake Texcoco.
  • Strategic location with abundant food supplies and waterways for transportation.
  • The population would eventually grow to over 200,000.

Rise of the Aztecs

  • The population consisted of farmers and warriors.
  • They allied with Texcoco and Tlacopan.
  • After the alliance, the empire gained control over many regions.
  • Ruled 400–500 other city-states.
  • 5–15 million people were under Aztec rule.

Aztec Empire

  • The Aztecs were excellent warriors who expanded their empire by conquering their neighbors.
  • Triple Alliance: A 1428 agreement of the Aztecs and two other city-states.
  • The Aztecs were the “people of the sun” who honored many gods, especially the sun god.
  • They used human sacrifices to keep the gods happy.
  • Victim’s heart was removed, and the priest ate flesh as a sign of respect.

Aztec Empire

  • Conquered people paid tribute.
  • The Aztec Empire gained wealth through trade and tribute.
  • By the early 1500s, the Aztecs had a large empire.
  • Ruled 5–15 million people.

Tenochtitlan

  • It would grow to become one of the largest cities in the world.
  • When the Spanish captured it, it was believed to be larger than any other city at that time.
  • Built on chinampas, which were floating gardens used for farming.
  • Mud was placed on huge mats made of woven reeds and placed in the lake.
  • Farmed on the soil on these "farms."

Tenochtitlan

  • It was a planned city, designed efficiently as it was built.
  • Extraordinary urban center.
  • Causeways connected the island city to mainland areas.
  • Canals enabled people to carry goods to the city and its huge main market.
  • The central area had palaces, temples, and government buildings.
  • The outer area was made of chinampas for farming.

Aztec Social Class

  • Though people were born into a certain class, it was possible to move up the ranks within a lifetime.

Aztec Religion

  • The main deity in the Aztec religion was Huitzilopochtli, known as both the sun god and war god.
  • Human sacrifice was practiced heavily.
  • Believed that these sacrifices gave power to the gods.
  • In turn, the gods would ensure the survival of the Aztec civilization.
  • War captives were used in the sacrifices.
  • In times of peace, the Aztecs would resort to ritualistic warfare.
  • In 1487, the Aztecs reported killing 84,400 war prisoners in four days at the great pyramid of Tenochtitlan.
  • After a town was conquered, the inhabitants were no longer eligible for sacrifice and became Aztec citizens.

Aztec Art

  • The Aztecs made religious and non-religious artifacts such as jade masks.
  • These artifacts were sold in markets by visiting merchants.

Aztec Achievements

  • Written Record:
    • Copied the basic writing style of the Maya and Olmec.
    • Kept track of tax records and business details.
  • Astronomy:
    • Calendar like the Mayans, but they also tracked the movements of some planets.

Last Great Ruler of the Aztec

  • In 1502, Montezuma II became emperor; he called for more tribute.
  • These sacrifices led to revolt in outlying areas.
  • The emperor tried to make life easier, but Aztecs worried about the future.
  • The end of the Aztec empire would occur by the Spanish when they came exploring.