The Development of the Aztec

Empire

The Aztecs Rise to Power

What symbols do you see in this image?

Who are the people depicted in the transparency and what are they doing?

What is in the center of the picture?

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Aztec Origins

Entered valley of Mexico in the 13th century (we don’t know why)Considered vulgar by neighboring city-statesServed as mercenaries for neighboring city-statesDrove to live in what was considered a snake-filled wasteland. They adapted – used snakes for food, found a way to till the soil and used the rocks to build houses from.Eventually fled to marshes of Lake Texcoco after Coxcox declared war on them for sacrificing his daughter

Life in a Hostile Environment

• Used chinampas – floating gardens – to produce food

• Created canals to improve trade and transportation

• Discovered culinary delights in lake products – like algae and ducks

Eagle and Cactus

Symbols of a divine prophecy (the divine prophecy: an eagle perched on a cactus eating a snake)

After building Tenochtitlan, the Aztecs destroyed all records of their past and created a more favorable history

Priests taught that the Aztecs were nomads who built Tenochtitlan on a spot designated by the gods

Aztec Religion and Social Structure

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Aztec Religion

Life was uncertain – all at mercy of nature

Used sacrifices as attempt to satisfy gods

Waited for return of Quetzalcoatl at end of calendar cycle (AD 1519)

Quetalcoatle (ket-tsal-KO-atl) the god of the planet Venus, the wind and of high civilization – a plumed serpent was to come back in human form

Aztec Religion

In 1450 suffered a terrible famine caused by heavy snow and rain – which caused floods and destruction of crops. Animals began coming in to eat the dead people and attack those still alive. The Aztec response was to increase human sacrifice to try to make the gods happy again. When the famine was over, the priests took it as a sign that the gods should never again be deprived of a regular diet of human hearts. Aztecs maintained almost constant warfare in order to supply victims. When they had enough victims, they’d stop fighting until they needed more. Victims were sacrificed high on top of the temple – usually involved removing the heart, but, depending on the god, sometimes were sacrificed differently.

Aztec Society

Royal FamilyEmperors chosen from royal family based on merit

Royal wives were greatly respected (and often there were many – Nezahualpilli of Texcoc had 2000 wives and 144 children. Moctezuma II had at least 1000 wives)

All members were expected to be dignified and brave

Aztec Society

NoblesPriests, military officers, government leaders

Nobility not inherited; earned on battlefields or in pursuit of priesthood

Held special privileges; fine clothes, beautiful homes, jewels, servants

Aztec Society

MerchantsProvided Tenochtitlan with imported goods

Traveled great distances (into Central America) to negotiate deals

Aztec Society

CommonersFarmers, laborers, craftsmen, servants, vendors

Lived in wards called calpullis (later called barrios by Spanish)

Aztec Society

SerfsWorked in fields or estates of the wealthy

Had freedom, but considered inferior to commoners – not considered citizens

Aztec Society

SlavesHad some legal rights; it wasn’t horrible to be a slave or to have been a slave

People could sell themselves into slavery to pay off a debt or a crime – could earn way out of slavery and climb the social ladder

The Splendor of Tenochtitilan

The floating city3 causeways join Tenochtitlan to the shores of Lake Texcoco

Canals served as roads for canoes

City contained 80,000 – 250,000 people

The Splendor of Tenochtitilan

Bustling marketsAt great market 60,000 people gathered daily

Used the barter system

Cacao beans sometimes used as currency

The Splendor of Tenochtitilan

Architectural wondersDouble pyramid dedicated to Huitzilopochtli (patron god of Aztec – Hummingbird from the south) and Tlaloc (god of rain)

Tzompantli (large skill rack) held thousands of human skulls

Residences of nobles were very elaborate