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The Aztecs (1100s – 1521) Central Mexico through the Isthmus of Tehuantepec to Southern Mexico. Aztecs Build an Empire 1325, Aztec farmers settled on an island in Lake Texcoco (tays-KOH-koh) and built a great city there. Tradition says they wandered for 100 years looking for a sign as to where to build their city. The sign: They were to look for an eagle eating a snake perched on a cactus growing from a rock or cave surrounded by water. This is on the Mexican flag today. The city: Tenochtitlan (tay-nawch-teet-LAHN) Present day Mexico City is built on top of this island-city and lake. Aztecs conquered nearby towns (many Maya lived in these towns after their empire collapsed). Demanded “tribute” from these conquered towns. Built them into the strongest Mesoamerican empire. Difficulties of an island city overcome: Causeways (raised roads over water or wet ground) were built to get to the island. Canals were also built to aid travel. Land was limited for farming so they built chinampas (floating gardens). Soil was piled on top of rafts which were anchored to trees. They grew food on these. Life in the Empire Much like the Maya Empire. The Aztec king was the most important person. Society was ranked just like the Maya. Worshipped many gods like the Maya and made 10,000 human sacrifices per year. Conquered neighbors to get victims for the sacrifices. Tore their hearts out. Achievements Stone pyramids, jewelry and masks. Astronomy – named their gods after the stars and planets, accurate calendars like the Maya. Doctors made more than 1000 medicines from plants. Cortes Conquers the Aztecs Conquistadors - Spanish conquerors sent to claim land and riches for Spain, and convert the people to Catholicism. Hernan Cortes – Spanish Conquistador Moctezuma (MAWK-tay-SOO-mah) Aztec emperor or king. Quetzalcoatl (ket-suhl-kuh-WAH-tuhl) – god whom the Aztecs believed would one day return to them. Hernan Cortes arrived in Mexico 1519. Many Aztecs believed him to be the returning god, Quetzalcoatl, and Moctezuma welcomed him into the city of Tenochtitlan. The Aztecs gave gold and other gifts to this “god,” but Cortes wanted more. He imprisoned Moctezuma and started a battle in which Moctezuma was killed, but the Spanish were driven out of the city. Cortes returned with the help of other people of the region who hated the Aztecs because of their harsh rule. Malinche was the daughter of a Maya leader. She became Cortes’ translator and helped him communicate with Aztecs. The conquistadors had better weapons (armor, cannons and swords), and horses which terrified the Aztecs. Diseases like smallpox also helped weaken the Aztecs. In 1521 the Aztec Empire came to an end. Aztec People Today