AOE: Lesson - Pre-Columbian Empires: The Aztecs
The Aztecs
Some historians believe the northern Maya might have integrated with another Mesoamerican group, the Toltec, which were the predecessors of the Aztecs. The Aztecs dominated central Mexico beginning in the early 14th century.
The Aztec capital was in Tenochtitlan, on Lake Texcoco. The Aztec were adept at calendars, writing, and construction like the Maya, but their greatest strength was in agriculture. They used canals and aqueducts to irrigate their outlying crops but also invented chinampas to sustain agriculture on top of the lake. The surplus of food led to the Aztec developing a strong centralized state.
In fact, when the Spanish first encountered the Aztec, they were amazed at the markets, temples, gardens, clean streets, zoos, and aquariums. The Spanish estimated that 60,000 people would trade in the city’s central market – and their leader controlled an empire in the millions.
Aztec Culture and Politics
The Aztec social structure was very hierarchical, and the monarch led absolutely. The Aztecs economically thrived as they pit several smaller empires against one another. As they conquered, they demanded tributes (taxes) to the Aztec Empire, including human sacrifices required to appease the gods. According to Aztec religion, the terrible, natural disasters of history were cyclical; therefore, to stave off these disasters, the Aztecs continually offered human sacrifices to please the gods—most of these humans came from conquered cities.
As a result of the constant demand for tributes and human sacrifices, many cities within the Aztec Empire were feeling a bit antagonistic towards the Aztec capital and emperor. This would prove to be one reason for the Aztec downfall, but more on that later.
Aztec Achievements
Select each term below to learn more about Aztec achievements.
Aztec Calendar
This example of the Aztec calendar was created before the Spanish arrived in the 16th century.
Aztec Architecture and City Planning
This image features a recreation of the Aztec city, Tenochtitlan, by Mexican muralist Diego Rivera. In it, you can see both the architectural style of the Aztec people and also how they designed their cities.
Aztec Agriculture
Chinampas are still used in Mexico; this photo shows a person farming on a chinampa in a lake.
The second image shows a scale model of chinampas in a museum. The chinampa was made of mud and bound with a woven reed wall. They appeared to be “floating” in the lake.
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