Aim: Did the Aztecs create a “great” civilization?Do Now: List any major U.S. cities that are worthy of high praise, and state why.Homework: Read pp. 452-458, #2, 3, 5, & 8

What are the advantages and disadvantages of building a city in the middle of a lake?

• The city now known as Mexico City was founded as Tenochtitlan by the Aztecs in 1325, and a century later became the dominant city-state of the Aztec Triple Alliance, formed in 1430, and composed of Tenochtitlan, Texcoco, and Tlacopan.

• At its height, Tenochtitlan had enormous temples and palaces, a huge ceremonial center, residences of political, religious, military, and merchants. Its population was estimated to be at least 100,000, and perhaps as high as 200,000 in 1519, when the Spaniards saw it.

Aztec Sunstone: 13’ diameter, 24 tons

Aztecs followed two calendars: (1) sacred one had 13 months of 20 days; (2) agricultural or solar had 18 months of 20 days (total = 360 days)*Nemontemi – an unlucky 5 day period

Temple of the moon

Temple of the Sun