The Aztec Empire

Fun Fact! They never called themselves the Aztecs!

Origins/BackgroundNumerous groups migrated to the Valley of Mexico c. 1200s. The Mexica (Aztecs) moved from western Mexico into the Valley to the swamp land of Tenochtitlan c. 1325.

Spoke the Nahuatl language. Had a calendrical system like the Mayans.

Built large stone buildings; played a ritual ball game. Polytheistic, belief in human sacrifices. Conquered many city-states in central Mexico to create the Aztec Empire.

TenochtitlanCentral Mexico in the 1300s was occupied by many city-states (altepetl). Mexica were forced to settle in swampland. Worked to reclaim land from the swamp and built stone structures on more stable ground. Archaeological evidence confirms the Mexica arrived in c. 1325.

At its height, Tenochtitlan had 60,000 houses housing roughly 200,000 people.

All in 5 square miles. Had a central marketplace which sold food, slaves, tobacco, etc.

People exchanged cotton cloaks, cacao beans, and quills filled with gold dust for those goods.

Mexica had no coinage.

Mexica ReligionA uniting factor for the Mexica people. Believed in a pantheon of Gods, most important was the Sun-God, Huitzilopochtli. Custom of patronage (like the Greeks). Ceremonies/Festivals

Festival of the Sun (every 260 days)

A core principle of their religion was human sacrifice. Mexica believed the gods need human blood (precious water) for sustenance.

Keep soil fertile, a plentiful harvest, and regular seasons.

Mostly prisoners of war were sacrificed.

Mexica SocietyLeader known as the “Great Speaker”. In charge of all external matters (warfare, inter-altepetl relations).

Chosen by nobles, priests and successful warriors. Even though seen as the ritual leader, the Great Speaker could be deposed if necessary.

Top officials came from the royal family; lived on large estates.

Great Speaker

Nobles, Priests, Warriors

Commoners “Ordinary Peoples”

Slaves

Mexica MilitarySuccessful warriors could rise in the social ranks.

Land with no taxes. Motivations for war included territorial gains and prisoners for sacrifice (best blood). Clubs, spears, and darts made with obsidian (volcanic glass). Thick cotton armor. Hand-to-Hand combat was seen as most honorable.

Conquest1428 saw the Mexica conquer neighboring altepetl that formed the Aztec Empire.

By 1500, 450 altepetl were ruled by the Mexica. Ruled a subject population of 5 million people.

One major downfall: Conquered peoples were forced to pay tribute and served as sacrificial victims. Mexica never incorporated them into their empire (like the Mongols).