Aztec Empire

Civilization in Mesoamerica

MayaAztec

Origins of the Aztec People• During the 1100’s, a

group of people begin to migrate to the Valley of Mexico.– Mexica = Aztecs

• According to legend…– Huitzilopochtli told the

Mexica that when they saw an eagle clutching a serpent perched on a cactus growing from a rock, their journey for a homeland would end.

– See the sign in the middle of Lake Texcoco.

• In reality…– These new arrivals are

outcast by other villages.• Forced to live in the middle

of a marshy-area.

• Not deterred by the small island and its poor land, they establish Tenochtitlán, in 1325.– “Place of the prickly pear cactus”

• Dried and expanded the land.• Built roadways of stone to link the island with the

mainland.

Marketplace

Farming• Needed to create

farmland to feed the growing population.– Built chinampas

• “floating garden”• Landfill

The Growing Aztec Empire• For several hundred

years, the Aztecs gained control of surrounding territories.– Conquered territories had

to pay tribute • Goods, money, or people

• “Controlled” vast amounts of territory by the 1500’s.

• A different idea of “war…”– Goal is to capture warrior

prisoners for sacrifice• Not to take territory or kill

the enemy.– Flower Wars

• Prearranged wars with another state in order to satisfy religious needs and train warriors.

Teotihuacán – “Place of the Gods”• During their expansion,

the Aztecs discovered an empty city in ruins.– Believed it was the

birthplace of their gods.– Gave it the name

Teotihuacan.• “Place of the Gods.”• Becomes a sacred site.

• In reality, it was once the largest city in Mesoamerica.– 250BC – 800AD?– Had 200,000 inhabitants

at its height.

“Avenue of the Dead”

“Pyramid of the Sun”

Aztec Religion• Polytheistic Theocracy

– Many dietys required some form of blood sacrfice.

• Believe that from blood/death comes new/more life.

– Some examples…• Quetzalcoatl

– Feathered Serpent

• Tlaloc– Rain god

• Huitzilopochtli– Sun and war god

• Tezcatlipoca – Night, sorcery, destiny

• Xipe Totec – Agriculture god

Tlaloc

Huitzilopochtli

When the Spanish Arrive…• It is during the “five

bad days” of the Aztec calendar.

• They believe the Spaniards could be Quetzalcoatl returning.– Light skin, red hair,

beard.• All of the cities under

Aztec control despise the Aztecs.

• The Aztec concept of war is different than the European concept of war.