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The Development of the Aztec Empire

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? Have you seen this symbol before? What might the thick blue lines represent?

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The Development of the Aztec Empire

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  1. The Development of the Aztec Empire

  2. 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? • Have you seen this symbol before? • What might the thick blue lines represent? • What do you think the artist was trying to tell us?

  3. )

  4. Aztec Origins • Entered valley of Mexico in the 13th century (we don’t know why) • Considered vulgar by neighbors • Served as mercenaries for neighbors • Drove to live in a snake-filled wasteland. • 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

  5. Life in a Hostile Environment • Used chinampas – floating gardens – to grow food • Created canals for trade and transportation • Found food in lake like algae and ducks

  6. DRAWBRIDGES FOR protection Aqueducts for freshwater Clean Temples, plazas

  7. The Splendor of Tenochtitilan • The floating city • 3 causeways joined Tenochtitlan to the shores of Lake Texcoco • Canals served as roads for canoes • City contained 80,000 – 250,000 people

  8. ISLAND IN LAKE TEXCOCO = capital with causeways to mainland

  9. TENOCHTITLAN 200,000- 250,000 in city (4x pop. of London in 1500)

  10. The Splendor of Tenochtitilan • Bustling markets • At great market 60,000 people gathered daily • Used the barter system • Cacao beans sometimes used as currency

  11. The Splendor of Tenochtitilan • Architectural wonders • Double pyramid dedicated to: • patron god of Aztec – Hummingbird • god of rain • large skull rack held thousands of human skulls • Noble’s houses were very elaborate

  12. SKULL RACK

  13. TEMPLE MAYOR Major temple 1978 found in Mexico City

  14. Splendor of Tenochtitlan • After building Tenochtitlan, Aztecs • destroyed all records of their past • created a more favorable history • Priests taught that the Aztecs were nomads who built Tenochtitlan on a spot designated by the gods

  15. Aztec Religion and Social Structure • What do you see happening in this picture?

  16. Aztec Religion • Life was uncertain – all at mercy of nature • Used sacrifices to satisfy gods

  17. 100’s of named gods and goddesses spirits or forces many were transformations Feathered Serpent Quetzal bird and snake Quetzal god

  18. Rain god Tlaloc War god Huitzilopoctli (wee-zil-o-poch-tli

  19. War god – needed to be fed every day Tonalli = animating spirit is located in the blood blood concentrates in the heart when scared Without sacrifice all MOTION Stops Sun would not rise World would come to an end sacrifice kept world in balance

  20. Aztec Society • Royal Family • Emperors 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

  21. Aztec Society • Nobles • Priests, military officers, government leaders • Nobility not inherited; earned on battlefields or in pursuit of priesthood • Held special privileges; fine clothes, beautiful homes, jewels, servants

  22. Aztec Society • Merchants • Provided Tenochtitlan with imported goods • Traveled great distances (into Central America) to negotiate deals

  23. Aztec Society • Commoners • Farmers, laborers, craftsmen, servants, vendors • Lived in wards (called calpullis -later called barrios by Spanish)

  24. Aztec Society • Serfs • Worked in fields or estates of the wealthy • Had freedom, but considered inferior to commoners – not considered citizens

  25. Aztec Society • Slaves • Had 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

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