Download ESPIRIT Aztecs

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Civilization/Nation/Group ___________Aztecs________________
Time Period_____10th century- 15th century__________________
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Dependence on traditional forms of agriculture
Food sometimes was demanded as tribute from conquered peoples
In each Aztec community, the local clan gave the lands to produce the crops
Currency: cacao beans and gold dust
Periodic markets: a wide variety of goods were exchanged. Controlled by the merchants
(the poctheca
Tributes had both economic and political functions
Spoke Nahuatl (former Toltec language)
Stratified society under a supreme ruler
Calpulli: residential groupings in which local life was based
Each calculi was governed by councils of family heads
Nobility emerged: based on certain privileges. Were the families in the most
distinguished calpulli
The nobles controlled the priesthood and the military leadership
Military virtues were based on the ability to take captives.
The military was divided into several orders of warriors: each with distinctive uniform
and rituals
Social stratification was noticeable by the use and restrictions on clothing, hairstyles,
uniforms and other symbols of rank
When the nobility moved out of the calpulli the workers were the responsible to work
on the lands, but did not have any control over them. They were at the bottom of the
social pyramid, but higher than the slaves
Scribes, artisans and healers were the intermediate group: important in the larger cities.
Merchants had their own calpulli with their own gods, privileges and internal structure
Women: variety of roles: worked on the fields, but their priority was the household.
Trained young girls, and virginity was very important
Women’s rights were fully recognized: like property rights, but still subordinate to men
The nobles practiced polygamy.
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Tenochtitlan was founded about 1325
Human sacrifices were used as political terror
Moctezuma II= state dominated by a king who represented the gods and civil power
Held a very vast number of inhabitants and conquered territories
The great Speaker: ruler of Tenochtitlan. Was the all powerful emperor.
The emperor was elected, but from the same royal family.
Prime minister also had great power and influence, usually relative to the emperor
To governing council: formed by local rulers.
The city-states were left unchanged as long as they accepted Aztec supremacy
Tributes had both economic and political functions
The Aztec system was based on political domination rather than direct administrative or
territorial control (over the conquered people)
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Migrated to the lake Texcoco in 1325.
Great fighting skills
Their prosperity was brought because of their role as mercenaries and allies.
Ruler and warrior nobles: took lands from conquered towns
Subject peoples had to pay tributes, give their lands and give military services to the
Aztecs
Great conquest impetus: securing tribute for the state and obtaining victims for
Huitzilopochtli (the patron god)
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Fanatical followers of their gods- practiced human sacrifices
Many Aztec deities came from the time of Teotihuacán
Each deity had a male and female form
Festivals and ceremonies; fasting and dancing along with sacrifices were some of the
religious activities
3 major themes: fertility and agricultural cycle, the creator deities, and warfare and
sacrifice.
The sacrifices of giving human hearts and blood were believed to give strength to the
gods to fight against dark forces.
The highest heaven and eternity was ensured when dying while taking prisoners. Also
promised to women who died at child birth
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Art reflected the importance of human sacrifice
Despite the bloody aspects, Aztecs also concerned about intellectual issues that have
concerned other peoples as well
Poetry was a very common form of literature: Nezhualcoyotl.
Mythology: explained the birht and history of their gods.
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Chinampas: system of irrigated agriculture