Transcript Aztecs
Geography Legend • According to legend, the chief god of the Aztecs told them to settle where they saw an eagle perched on cactus with snake in its beak Geography •Valley of Mexico is in the highland basin of central Mexico • Lies between two mountain ranges • Several large shallow lakes covered the basin •Around 1200 nomadic tribes began to settle in the Valley of Mexico – the last group to arrive were the Mexica now know as the Aztecs •The Mexica were considered barbarians and kicked out of every place they settled – they found refuge on a small island in the middle of Lake Texcoco •They named their settlement Tenochtitlan Geography • Tenochtitlan was a good place to settle because • Easy to defend • It was a rich source of food • It was easy to get to for trading • Canals made transportation and getting around easy Geography • Aztecs at their height • Empire had 10 million people • Valley of Mexico about 1 million people • Tenochtitlan – 200,000 people • Central Mexico • West coast of Guatemala • Moctezuma was the leader beginning in 1502 Geography & History •Downfall of the civilization began in 1519 with the arrival of Hernan Cortes and the Spaniards • Military fighting • Diseases – small pox Religion • Worshiped many gods • Kings ruled with the blessing of the gods • Tezcatlipoca • All powerful god • Tlaloc • God of rain (water and harvest) • Huitzilopochtli • MOST IMPORTANT GOD • Brought success in battle • Kept sun in sky • Human sacrifice kept Huitzilopochtli strong & sun in sky RELIGION MOCTEZUMA HUITZILOPOCHTLI Achievements • Architects • • Templo Mayor • Largest temple in the plaza • Two shrines at the top • One for Tlaloc Raised up road that connected the island to the shore Brought fresh water to the island Avenues & canals • • • Aqueducts • • One for Huitzilopochtil Causeway • • • Made travel easy Chinampas • Floating islands • Plots of gardens or fields for farming • Used to expand land Dikes • Prevent flooding and circulate water for chinampas Achievements Causeway Templo Mayor Canals Achievements Chinampas Aqueduct Achievements •Artisans • Baskets, pottery, and sandals • Jewelry • Mosaics • Feather work – headdresses, capes, & shields Achievements Language • Skilled orators • Tell stories from past and legends of the gods • Nahuatl is Aztec language • Poetry – most famous form of literature Politics • No true central government • Loose collection of city-states led by local chiefs • Maintained control through military force • Empire led by a king • King was selected by council of nobles 4 military commanders & 1 prime minister (day-to-day operations) Politics •New king had to prove military skills and win tribute (goods paid as taxes by conquered people) •Went to war to… • Gain military tribute • Capture prisoners for human sacrifice Politics • Lower level of advisors • Judges • Clerks • Tax collectors • Cities were divided into districts called calulli • Led by district chief Economy • For most commoners life centered around farming • Men tended fields • Women household duties • Artisans and traders were well respected commoners • • Artisans • Sandals • Baskets • Feather headdress • pottery Traders • Travel to obtain exotic goods – feathers and stones • Trade at market • Sometimes cacao beans used for money • Also used gold dust & copper Social • There were two classes – nobles and commoners • Nobles5-10% of population • Trace lineage to first Aztec king • Held leadership positions with the government and military • Larger homes • Had better food including meat • Wore nicer, more colorful clothing Social • Commoners • • Most were farmers • Men tended fields • Women household Artisans and traders were seen as important, but were commoners • All • Children went to school for at least a few years • All boys received military training • Girls learned the are of homemaking Social Structure •Slaves made up the lowest level of society • Could marry • Could own property • Children were born free •Slaves were… • captured prisoners of war • Commoners who owed a debt • Commoners who wanted a better life Social Aztec Family Mexico City Zocalo (Plaza) View of cathedral from Templo Mayor Templo Mayor Today