Aztec Midterm
Teotihuacan: An ancient Mesoamerican city located in the Valley of Mexico, known for its monumental pyramids and influence on later cultures, including the Aztecs.
Tula: The capital city of the Toltecs, another influential Mesoamerican civilization that predated the Aztecs.
Olmecs: Considered the "mother culture" of Mesoamerica, the Olmecs were known for their colossal stone heads and artistic traditions.
Chinampas: Also known as "floating gardens," chinampas were artificial islands created in shallow lake beds. They were an innovative agricultural technique used by the Aztecs to increase food production in their urban environment.
Templo Mayor: The main temple in the Aztec capital of Tenochtitlan, dedicated to the gods Huitzilopochtli and Tlaloc. It was a massive structure reflecting the importance of religion in Aztec society.
Atlatl: A spear-thrower that increased the force and range of projectiles. It was a significant weapon used for both 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 the city-states of 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, often depicted as a feathered serpent. Quetzalcoatl was associated with knowledge, wind, and the planet Venus.
Tlaloc: The Aztec god of rain, water, and fertility. He was a crucial deity in an agricultural society dependent on rainfall.
Tezcatlipoca: A powerful and multifaceted god associated with the night sky, sorcery, and conflict. Tezcatlipoca was often considered a rival or counterpart to Quetzalcoatl.
Calendar Stone: A large, intricately carved stone disc that represents the Aztec cosmos and calendar system. It is a key artifact for understanding Aztec beliefs about time and the universe.
Zapotecs: Another major Mesoamerican civilization known for its writing system and the city of Monte Albán.
Codex: A book or manuscript made of folded sheets of bark paper or animal hides. Codices were important for recording history, rituals, and other knowledge in pre-Columbian Mesoamerica.
Prismatic Blade: A type of stone tool characterized by its long, narrow shape and sharp edges.
Chert: A hard, fine-grained sedimentary rock that was frequently 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.
Tlacaelel: A powerful advisor and reformer who played a key role in shaping Aztec society and religion during the reign of Itzcoatl.
Atzcapotzalco: A rival city-state that was 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, such as life and death, light and dark, which was central to Aztec worldview.
Cyclical Time: The Aztec belief that time moved in cycles rather than a linear progression. This is reflected in their calendar system and understanding of history and cosmology.
Pantheism: The belief that the divine is present in all things, a concept that might be reflected in the Aztecs' reverence for nature and the cosmos.
"Flowery Wars": A form of ritualistic warfare practiced by the Aztecs, primarily 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 during the conquest.
Autosacrifice: The practice of individuals offering their own blood to the gods, often through piercing or bloodletting. This demonstrates the importance of sacrifice in Aztec religion.
New Fire Ceremony: A significant ritual conducted at the end of a 52-year cycle in the Aztec calendar. It symbolized renewal and the continuation of the cosmos.
Chichimecs: A group of nomadic peoples who migrated to the Basin of Mexico. The Aztecs considered themselves descendants of the Chichimecs.
Cacaoatl: Cacao beans, which were used to make a bitter drink that was highly valued in Aztec society. Cacao beans also served as a form of currency.
Early Aztec Period: The period before the formation of the Triple Alliance, when the Aztecs were establishing themselves in the Basin of Mexico.
Macehualli: Commoners in Aztec society. They formed the majority of the population and were 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 the expansion and consolidation of the Aztec Empire.
Ballgame: A ritual game played throughout Mesoamerica, with religious and political significance. The ballgame was played on an I-shaped court using a heavy rubber ball.
Patolli: A board game enjoyed by the Aztecs for entertainment and divination.
Jade: A precious green stone highly prized by the Aztecs for its beauty and symbolic associations with life and water.
Obsidian: A volcanic glass that was easily chipped into sharp edges, making it a valuable material for tools, weapons, and ornaments.
Chacmool: A distinctive type of Mesoamerican sculpture depicting a reclining figure holding a bowl or receptacle. The exact purpose of chacmools is debated, but they are often associated with sacrifice or offerings.
Quetzal Feathers: The iridescent green feathers of the quetzal bird were highly valued for their beauty and were used in elite attire and religious ceremonies.
Eccentrics: Individuals who were considered different or unusual, often associated with spiritual power or the ability to communicate with the supernatural.
Maize: Corn, the staple crop of the Aztecs and other Mesoamerican cultures. Maize 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 of Aztlan 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. Xipe Totec 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.
Pochteca: Long-distance merchants who played a crucial role in the Aztec economy. They traveled extensively, trading goods and gathering information.
Cuexcomate: Not mentioned in the sources.
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
Coatepec: site of main origin myth of the Aztecs where Huitzilopochtli killed his sister???
Toltecs: Discussed earlier as the civilization whose capital city was Tula, the Toltecs were a significant influence on the Aztecs.