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THE AMERICAS The Aztec – Part 3

Explore the history of Teotihuacan, the fierce Toltec people, and the powerful Aztec tribe in ancient Mexico. Learn about their cities, legends, and societal structures. Watch fascinating videos to delve deeper into their rich culture.

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THE AMERICAS The Aztec – Part 3

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  1. THEAMERICAS The Aztec – Part 3

  2. TEOTIHUACAN Backing up to about the same time the Mayan civilization began . . . Teotihuacan • “Place of the Gods,” name given to it by the Aztecs who came later. Original name unknown. • First major city in Mesoamerica • Built around 250 BC; collapsed about 800 AD • Near present day Mexico City • Between 100,000 and 200,000 inhabitants • Set up on a grid system • Most residents were farmers, but the city was also a busy trade center.

  3. TEOTIHUACAN • Avenue of the Dead – main street • Pyramid of the Sun • Pyramid of the Moon • Temple of the Feathered Serpent • Teotihuacan https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=taCxra5ezKg

  4. THE TOLTEC • Fierce, warlike people • Small empire with capital city of Tula built on a high ridge northwest of present-day Mexico • 900-1200 AD • Constructed pyramids and palaces • Very little known about them, most of which is handed down by the Aztec • Turn to p. 353 of the Glencoe World History book and look at the map on Mesoamerican cultures.

  5. THE AZTEC - Tenochtitlan The Legend of Tenochtitlan (Based on Aztec mythology) • The Aztec tribe lived in ancient Mexico for about 400 years. For the first 200 years, the Aztecs were constantly on the move. No one wanted the Aztecs as neighbors because they practiced human sacrifice in order to please the sun god. • According to legend, the Aztec tribal god promised to show his people (the Aztecs) the place they were to settle and build a great capital city.

  6. THE AZTEC - Tenochtitlan The Legend of Tenochtitlan • He told them to look for an eagle perched on a cactus on a rock with a snake in its beak. This would be the sign that they had reached the place that would be theirs. • The Aztecs found this eagle located near Lake Texcoco. They then built Tenochtitlán in either the year 1325 or 1345 (the actual date is uncertain). • Tenochtitlan https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_nS6MpVbB_g

  7. THE AZTEC - Tenochtitlan The City • Population of more than 200,000 • Located on an island on Lake Texcoco • Had waterways for major streets; causeways linked the city to the mainland • The Great Temple - at the center was the great plaza with the great temple that was over 200 feet tall where human sacrifices and offerings to the gods took place. • The Aztecs believed that if they offered blood sacrifices to their gods, this would keep the sun alive and the world would continue.

  8. THE AZTEC - Society • King was all-powerful and claimed he was descended from the gods. He was helped by a council of lords and government officials. • The rest of the population were commoners, indentured workers who lived and work on nobles’ estates, or slaves. • The Aztecs were divided into clans which were large family groups that formed the basis of their society. • Aztec children were expected to share in all the work: • Boys – warriors, field workers • Girls – work in the home, raise children, weave textiles

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