Geography

1
Geography

• Place of origin
• The Aztec, or Mexica were originally from the
  northern areas of Mexico legendary homeland
  known as Aztlan.
• Valley of Mexico
• Founded city of Tenochtitlan on Lake Texcoco -
  site of eagle with snake mouth perched on a
  prickly pear cactus.
• Aztec empire spread from the Gulf of Mexico to
  the Pacific Ocean and as far south as Guatemala.

2

Economics

• Agriculture
• The Aztec grew corn and other crops on floating
  man made gardens called chinampas.
• The Aztec obtained most of their food from
  outlying provinces.
• Trade
• Tlatelolco was an enormous marketplace near
  Tenochtitlan that offered many products
  throughout the empire.
• Items of Aztec trade included animals, food,
  gold, silver, feather work, clothing, slaves,
  wood, tools, tobacco, cocao beans, precious stone
  etc.

3
Government

• Social pyramid
• Emperor gt Nobility (distinguished soldiers and
  imperial officers) gt Warriors gt Priests gt Land
  owning working class gt Landless workers or serfs
  gt
• Leadership
• Small oligarchy of chief priests, warriors, and
  state officials elected emperor.
• If none of the sons were capable, a brother or
  nephew of the emperor was chosen (always member
  of royal family)

4
Religion

• Huitzilopochtli - Aztec god of the sun
• Told the Aztec to settle when they came to a spot
  where an eagle was perched atop a cactus.
• One of the temples atop Templo Mayor was
  dedicated to Huitzilopochtli.
• Tlaloc Aztec god of water.
• One of the temples atop Templo Mayor was
  dedicated to Tlaloc.
• Quetzalcoatl creator of mankind/ Feathered
  serpent god
• Promised to return one day.

5
Higher Culture

• Art
• Most of their art forms were borrowed from
  earlier MesoAmerican cultures.
• Most original works were in stone sculpture.
• Most famous work is the Calendar Stone.
• Architecture
• Templo Mayor was located in Tenochtitlan. It was
  a double pyramid dedicated to Tlaloc and
  Huitzilopochtili.
• Palaces were elaborate with botanical gardens and
  zoos.

6
Historical Changes

• Establishment of Tenochtitlan
• The Aztec arrived in the Valley of Mexico circa
  1200.
• The Aztec established the city of Tenochtitlan in
  the year 1325.
• Aztec collapse
• Increased taxes, invasion, and sacrifice of the
  laborers in the provinces led to much regional
  anger and resentment towards the Aztec.
• In November of 1519, the Spanish entered
  Tenochtitlan at the invitation of Montezuma, the
  last great Aztec emperor, who thought Cortes was
  Quetzalcoatl.
• The Spanish had guns and horses and recruited
  many native allies.