The Aztecs

1. The Aztecs By: Mia Nazzaro, RhiannaFollet, YashDoshi, Vincent Far

2. Geography & Timeline Geography • The Aztecs were located in Central Mexico, originally on Lake Texcoco, and expanding from there. • This island on the lake made agriculture and self-defense easy, allowing the civilization to grow rapidly. Timeline • The Aztecs relocated to the lake in the Valley of Mexico around 1200 A.D. • 300 years later, in 1502, Moctezuma II became the ruler of the civilization, and they were considered to be at their peak. • Finally, the Aztecs fell in 1519, when their capital, Tenochtitlan, was destroyed. Their civilization survived for approximately 300 years.

3. Government • The Aztec government consisted of a ruler and a group of powerful aristocrats • The Aztec ruler did not have total power • This government introduced a monarchy system which was adopted from the neighboring civilizations • Due to this new monarch government a social hierarchy developed • People were sorted into groups This Aztec warrior was in the middle of the social hierarchy, which was established by the Monarchy

4. Economy • Aztec economy was based mainly on agriculture. • The largest market square in the Aztec empire was in the city of Tlateloco. • The Aztec citizens had no real form of currency. Although they used cacao beans as their form of money. • The Aztecs normally traded goods and services in exchange for other goods and services. Cacao Beans Aztec marketplace

5. Writing • Origin • Aztecs used hieroglyphics as a form of writing. • It was derived from the Mixtec writing system and is similar to logo graphics. • The form of language was called Náhuatl. • Uses • Pictographic writing such as symbols and pictures represented ideas and words. • Language was mainly used for business, records, censuses, religious writings, and tax lists. • Previously the Aztecs use to carve their writing , which later changed to written text.

6. Beliefs • The Aztecs worshipped many gods and would thank the gods through human and animal sacrifices. • The Aztecs felt that the way they died, determined how they were treated in the after-life. • The Aztecs divided their history into five ages, known as Suns. • Believed that they lived in the 5th sun • Their beliefs explained the Aztec’s existence • These stories of creation were passed along and kept alive through stories and migration The Aztecs used sacrifices to thank the gods and prevent them from harming the civilization

7. Technology • Innovations: • Advanced Medicine • Herbs and spiritual healing • Calendar: • The Aztec had a calendar called the “Aztec Sunstone Calendar” • It measured days, months and cosmic cycles (sun cycles) • Irrigation systems and buildings: • The Aztecs have used irrigation systems for agriculture. • The Aztecs used stone tools to build buildings (monuments, houses, etc…) and valuables (gold, jewelry etc…) Aztec Sunstone Calendar

8. Art & Architecture • Art- • Different forms of their art included pottery, tapestries and other cloth products, and jewelry. These were made out of natural materials such as feathers, bone, and clay. • Their artwork sometimes symbolized social hierarchy ranging from rulers and wealthy aristocrats, to the common folk. • Stone masonry provided some forms of art as well. Some creations would be statues and temples. • Architecture- • The Aztecs built sturdy structures that are still in tact today. • They built temples dedicated to their many gods and beliefs. • These temples would be centered around one temple, called the Great Temple. The serpent was a prominent symbol in Aztec artwork. The Great Temple served as a center point in Aztec architecture.

9. Rise & Fall Cortez and his men fighting the Aztecs Rise • The city, Teotihuacan, was built by tribal groups in 600 A.D. • Aztecs arrive in 1200 A.D. as homeless travelers. • They became allies with other tries and gain more influence and power. • Soon the Aztec Empire became the central control of what will soon be Mexico. Fall • In 1519, Hernando Cortez, a Spanish explorer, brought 400 soldiers, 100 sailors to explore the area. • Aztecs welcomed Cortez with opened arms thinking that he was a Aztec God. • But Montezuma realizes Cortez is not a god and bribed him to leave. • Soon Cortez gathers enough troops to conquer the Aztec Empire, bringing the Aztecs to an end.

10. Contributions • Aztec contributions to the modern world include: • The Aztec Calendar. • Advanced medicines. • Advanced weapons. • A measurement system. Aztec Calendar

11. Resources Books: • The Crafts and Culture of The Aztecs, by Joann Jovinelly and Jason Netelkos • The History Atlas of South America, by Edwin Early • Everyday Life of The Aztecs, by Warwick Bray • The Earth and Its Peoples, by Richard W. Bulliet, Pamela Kyle Crossley, Daniel R. Headrick, Steven W. Hirsch, Lyman L. Johnson, David Northrup • Perspectives on the Past, by Larry S. Krieger, Dr. Edward Reynolds, Kenneth Neill Internet: • The Ancient Aztecs: www.library.thinkquest.org/27981/ • The Aztec Number System: http://www.math.temple.edu/~zit/Native%20American/9%20Aztecs_num.pdf • The History of the Aztecs: http://www.sjsu.edu/faculty/watkins/aztecs.htm • The Aztec Civilization: http://www2.truman.edu/~marc/webpages/nativesp99/aztecs/aztec_template.html