Major Pre-Columbian Major Pre-Columbian CivilizationsCivilizations

Aztecs

Mayas

Incas

1200 CE – 1521 CE

Aztecs

Where did the Aztecs live?The Aztecs lived in what is known as the

Valley of Mexico in central Mexico.

Location: Central Valley of Mexico Tenochtitlan was the capital

Tenochtitlan

Tenochtitlan was the capital city of the Aztec Empire.

Legend of Tenochtitlan

The gods told the Aztecs to search for an eagle holding a snake in its beak perched atop a cactus. This is where they were to build their capital city. The Aztecs saw this sign on a swampy island in lake Texcoco.

Legend of Tenochtitlan

How did the Aztecs build a city in the center of a lake?Tenochtitlan was built on an islandIt was connected to the mainland by

causeways leading north, south, and west of the city.

The city was interlaced with a series of canals, so that all sections of the city could be visited either on foot or by canoe.

Tenochtitlan

Today, Tenochtitlan is Mexico City

Aztec View of Aztec View of TenochtitlanTenochtitlan

Tenochtitlan: The Tenochtitlan: The “Venice” of the “Venice” of the

AmericasAmericas

Government

The Aztecs created an empire through conquest

Conquered people and local rulers had to pay tribute to the Aztecs

The Aztecs had an emperorThe Aztec Emperor’s main job was to lead in

war

Ruins of the City Ruins of the City Center, TenochtitlanCenter, Tenochtitlan

Wall of Skulls, Wall of Skulls, TenochtitlanTenochtitlan

The The Aztecs Aztecs WereWereFierce Fierce WarriorsWarriors

Religion: Sun God- most important, needed human

blood to help rise everyday, massive number of sacrifices

Human sacrifices were offered to give the sun strength to rise each day

Used captured warriors and Aztecs for sacrifices

Religion & Mythology

Polytheistic

Huitzilopochtli was

the main Aztec god.

(weets se lo poch tlee)

The Aztecs built massive temples and pyramids dedicated to their gods

Religion & Mythology

Pyramid of the Sun Pyramid of the Moon

Heart SacrificeHeart Sacrificeon an Aztec Temple on an Aztec Temple

PyramidPyramid

Human Sacrifice

Human sacrifice was a common political & religious practice of the Aztecs.

For the re-consecration of Great Pyramid of Tenochtitlan in 1487, the Aztecs reported that they sacrificed 84,400 prisoners over the course of four days.

Aztecs Sacrifice Aztecs Sacrifice Neighboring Tribes Neighboring Tribes to the Sun Godto the Sun God

Achievements:

Astronomy Mathematics-counting system Accurate calendar Floating gardens (chinampas)

used to make up for lack of farmland, could harvest 2-3 crops per year

Aztec Aztec ChinampaChinampa or or Floating Garden:Floating Garden:

15ft. to 30ft. wide15ft. to 30ft. wide

Tenochtitlan - Tenochtitlan - ChinampasChinampas

Aztec MathAztec Math

Aztec WritingAztec Writing

Aztec Sun Stone -- Aztec Sun Stone -- CalendarCalendar

Possible Reasons for decline:

Spanish Conquistador Hernan Cortes mistaken for Aztec god.

Spanish take control of Aztecs, their gold, their land

Spanish had superior weapons (guns)

Aztec GoldAztec Gold

What happened to the Aztecs?Spanish conquistadors led by Hernan Cortes

conquered Tenochtitlan and defeated the Aztecs in 1521.

Aztec Video Clips

“Engineering An Empire”http://www.watchknow.org/Video.aspx?

VideoID=6255

“What the Ancients Did For Us”http://www.watchknow.org/Video.aspx?

VideoID=10964