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Aztec Empire Civilization in Mesoamerica Aztec Maya Origins of the Aztec People • During the 1100’s, a group of people begin to migrate to the Valley of Mexico. – Mexica = Aztecs • According to legend… – Huitzilopochtli told the Mexica that when they saw an eagle clutching a serpent perched on a cactus growing from a rock, their journey for a homeland would end. – See the sign in the middle of Lake Texcoco. • In reality… – These new arrivals are outcast by other villages. • Forced to live in the middle of a marshyarea. • Not deterred by the small island and its poor land, they establish Tenochtitlán, in 1325. – “Place of the prickly pear cactus” • Dried and expanded the land. • Built roadways of stone to link the island with the mainland. Marketplace Farming • Needed to create farmland to feed the growing population. – Built chinampas • “floating garden” • Landfill The Growing Aztec Empire • For several hundred years, the Aztecs gained control of surrounding territories. – Conquered territories had to pay tribute • Goods, money, or people • “Controlled” vast amounts of territory by the 1500’s. • A different idea of “war…” – Goal is to capture warrior prisoners for sacrifice • Not to take territory or kill the enemy. – Flower Wars • Prearranged wars with another state in order to satisfy religious needs and train warriors. Teotihuacán – “Place of the Gods” • During their expansion, the Aztecs discovered an empty city in ruins. – Believed it was the birthplace of their gods. – Gave it the name Teotihuacan. • “Place of the Gods.” • Becomes a sacred site. • In reality, it was once the largest city in Mesoamerica. – 250BC – 800AD? – Had 200,000 inhabitants at its height. “Avenue of the Dead” “Pyramid of the Sun” Aztec Religion • Polytheistic Theocracy – Many dietys required some form of blood sacrfice. • Believe that from blood/death comes new/more life. – Some examples… • Quetzalcoatl – Feathered Serpent • Tlaloc – Rain god • Huitzilopochtli – Sun and war god • Tezcatlipoca – Night, sorcery, destiny • Xipe Totec – Agriculture god Huitzilopochtli Tlaloc When the Spanish Arrive… • It is during the “five bad days” of the Aztec calendar. • They believe the Spaniards could be Quetzalcoatl returning. – Light skin, red hair, beard. • All of the cities under Aztec control despise the Aztecs. • The Aztec concept of war is different than the European concept of war.