Mexico in the Post Mexico in the Post ClassicClassic

Aztec Aztec Part IPart I

““Rags to Riches”Rags to Riches”

Feathered shield.

This one artifact provides clues to social structure, technology, trade, symbolism, and war of the Aztec.

Terms Terms (refer to page 428)(refer to page 428)

►Aztec: all ethnic groups claiming Aztec: all ethnic groups claiming descent from fabled Atzlan.descent from fabled Atzlan.

►Nahua: linguistic subdivision of Uto-Nahua: linguistic subdivision of Uto-Aztecan language.Aztecan language.

►Nahuatl: dialect of Nahua spoken in Nahuatl: dialect of Nahua spoken in Central highlands of Mexico.Central highlands of Mexico.

►Mexica: Aztec ethnic group settled in Mexica: Aztec ethnic group settled in Tenochitlan.Tenochitlan.

Before the AztecBefore the Aztec

►Scholars uncertain, but most suggest Scholars uncertain, but most suggest important demographic changes in the important demographic changes in the centuries after the Mayan decline. centuries after the Mayan decline.

►Environmental changes brought Environmental changes brought disruption of cultural developments.disruption of cultural developments.

►Population movements affected the Population movements affected the dynamic of settlement.dynamic of settlement.

Post classic Post classic (around AD 1000-1200)(around AD 1000-1200)

►Northern regions of Mexico Northern regions of Mexico disconnected from events and disconnected from events and developments elsewhere in Meso developments elsewhere in Meso America. Tarascans share only a America. Tarascans share only a limited amount of cultural traits with limited amount of cultural traits with the rest of Mexico and Meso America, the rest of Mexico and Meso America, but do have a few common beliefs. but do have a few common beliefs.

►Old trade networks in decay or Old trade networks in decay or completely broken down.completely broken down.

►Aztec fame overshadows that of neighbors Aztec fame overshadows that of neighbors and other regional developments.and other regional developments.

► In the north and West Mexico the Tarascan In the north and West Mexico the Tarascan State evolved in the region of Michoacan.State evolved in the region of Michoacan.

►Tarascans were a highly developed Tarascans were a highly developed militaristic state (never defeated by Aztec).militaristic state (never defeated by Aztec).

►Aztecs sought a buffer between themselves Aztecs sought a buffer between themselves and the Tarascans.and the Tarascans.

West Mexico compared to SouthWest Mexico compared to South

► Similarities include: Similarities include: human sacrifice, human sacrifice, veneration of veneration of mountains and mountains and caves, serpents and caves, serpents and butterflies.butterflies.

► Differences include: Differences include: no ball courts, no no ball courts, no concept of duality, a concept of duality, a limited calendar, limited calendar, and different gods and different gods and goddesses. and goddesses. Separate language Separate language base.base.

ControversyControversy

►Were cultures of Mexico in contact with Were cultures of Mexico in contact with societies in North America around societies in North America around AD 1000? AD 1000?

►No direct contact evident. Indirect No direct contact evident. Indirect influence is possible. Some style influence is possible. Some style similarities and at least one artifact similarities and at least one artifact provide positive evidence of links provide positive evidence of links through long distance trade.through long distance trade.

Back to MexicoBack to Mexico

►Mexica tribe: small hunter-gatherer Mexica tribe: small hunter-gatherer band in central Mexico 12th century band in central Mexico 12th century AD.AD.

►Surrounded by other warrior states.Surrounded by other warrior states.►Federation in 14th century allowed for Federation in 14th century allowed for

more political and military strength. By more political and military strength. By acting first as mercenaries for other acting first as mercenaries for other groups they gradually acquired land groups they gradually acquired land and power.and power.

►We can reconstruct Aztec life and We can reconstruct Aztec life and history from five sources: ethnographic, history from five sources: ethnographic, ethnohistoric, contemporary books ethnohistoric, contemporary books (such (such

as Codex Mendoza or the accounts of Bernal Diaz),as Codex Mendoza or the accounts of Bernal Diaz), and archaeology.and archaeology.

►Aztec legends are a valid data source, Aztec legends are a valid data source, but must be carefully filtered to “read but must be carefully filtered to “read past the propaganda,” just as with past the propaganda,” just as with Spanish accounts.Spanish accounts.

►Retreat to swamps for defensive Retreat to swamps for defensive posture.posture.

►Refuge from stronger neighbors.Refuge from stronger neighbors.► Island built up from reeds. Linked to Island built up from reeds. Linked to

mainland by causeways.mainland by causeways.►Canal systemCanal system►““Floating” gardensFloating” gardens

Simple ChronologySimple Chronology

►Arrive in Central Mexico: approx AD 1100 Arrive in Central Mexico: approx AD 1100 ►Established homeland at Lake Texcoco Established homeland at Lake Texcoco

AD 1325AD 1325►Overthrew allies AD 1428Overthrew allies AD 1428►Moctezuma I forms Triple Alliance:1431Moctezuma I forms Triple Alliance:1431►Construction of major temples in cycle: Construction of major temples in cycle:

1299, 1351,1403,1455,15071299, 1351,1403,1455,1507►Moctezumea II came to power 1502Moctezumea II came to power 1502

TenochitlanTenochitlan

►Early construction in 14th century.Early construction in 14th century.►Regularly rebuilt and enlarged at Regularly rebuilt and enlarged at

specific intervals based on calendar or specific intervals based on calendar or reign of new king.reign of new king.

►Water brought in to city by aqueducts.Water brought in to city by aqueducts.►One of the greatest cities ever built in One of the greatest cities ever built in

all human history.all human history.

►Through military adventures and shrewd Through military adventures and shrewd alliances Aztec became most powerful alliances Aztec became most powerful empire of Mexico within three centuries.empire of Mexico within three centuries.

►Economy based on agriculture and Economy based on agriculture and tribute.tribute.

►Alliances helped maintain buffer zones.Alliances helped maintain buffer zones.

Templo Major in digital reconstruction.

18th century impression of Conquistadors invading Aztec capital.

Social StructureSocial Structure

Military TheocracyMilitary Theocracy

Social organizationSocial organization

►Calpulli: in some respects similar to clanCalpulli: in some respects similar to clan in that social groups are related through in that social groups are related through decent from a (mythical ?) lineage.decent from a (mythical ?) lineage.

►Strict lawsStrict laws►Patrilineal societyPatrilineal society►Hierarchical social differentiation.Hierarchical social differentiation.►Land ownership was distributive, not Land ownership was distributive, not

individualindividual

►King elected from Royal family. King elected from Royal family. Nobles, knights and priests voted.Nobles, knights and priests voted.

►Every able bodied commoner was Every able bodied commoner was eligible for duty as a warrior. Warriors eligible for duty as a warrior. Warriors could advance to the nobility through could advance to the nobility through recognized bravery or success in recognized bravery or success in battle.battle.

Elite Eagle Knight

►Several socio/economic classesSeveral socio/economic classes Priests, knights, merchants, crafts guilds, Priests, knights, merchants, crafts guilds,

commonerscommoners

►At the bottom were the bondsmen At the bottom were the bondsmen ((mayequesmayeques). Chlidren of slaves were ). Chlidren of slaves were not slaves themselves.not slaves themselves.

►Children attended schools segregated Children attended schools segregated by sex.by sex.

Law and OrderLaw and Order

►No need for prisons as most crimes No need for prisons as most crimes were punished by death or slavery.were punished by death or slavery.

►Members of Royal family were not Members of Royal family were not above the law.above the law.

Religion