THE AZTEC EMPIRE

1200s-1521

EXPANSION OF THE AZTECS

1315 founded capital city of Tenochtitlan—modern day Mexico City

1400s used conquests and alliances to build a massive empire

Became wealthy from tribute system—payment taken from conquered people

By 1500s empire covered most of Mexico and included 30 million people

CREATED A LARGE EMPIRE

LOCATED IN CENTRAL MEXICO

SOCIAL STRUCTURE

ruled by one emperor Warriors were below

nobles but could rise to the noble class.

Farmers and Slaves—most people were farmers, slaves—criminals or enemy soldiers captured in war—slaves could own land and buy their freedom

HIERARCHY AZTEC WARRIOR

Aztec Religious Beliefs

Quetzalcoatl— Aztec god who took the form of a feathered serpent

built huge pyramid in the center of Tenochtitlan to honor the sun god.

offered thousands of human sacrifices to the gods.

The Aztecs had 18 months in one cycle, and for each of the 18 months there was ritual sacrifice.  The victim was part of the ritual, placed on a slab where their heart would be removed and held up to the sun.  The body would be thrown down the stairs of the temple/pyramid.

The body would be disposed of in various ways, such as feeding animals at the zoo or putting on display (the heads).  There are some accounts of cannibalism, but it's uncertain if this was practiced to any great extent.

Beliefs and PracticesHuman Sacrifice to the gods

ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE AZTECS Learning and Science accurate calendar established schools could set broken bones

and treat dental cavities Architecture and

Engineering built huge pyramids and

palace Tenochtitlan was built on

two islands, with water filled in between to make causeway

Quetzalcoatl AZTECS ARCHITECTURE

THE DESTRUCTION OF THE AZTEC Spanish conquistador—Hernando Cortez was originally

driven out by the Aztec, then returned. Cortez’ arrival was at the same time a prophecy

regarding Quetzalcoatl, a white skinned god, was supposed to come true. Montezuma assumed Cortez was in fact Quetzalcoatl.

Realizing Cortez was not a god, Montezuma gave the Spaniard large amounts of gold and jewels to make them go away, but instead, it made the Spaniards want more.

About a year later, Cortez returned with a huge army, aligned with Aztec enemies, and defeated the empire in 1521. It is estimated that 75% of the Aztecs were killed by war or European diseases.