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The Aztecs

The Aztecs. World History - Libertyville HS. Rise of the Aztecs. Migrated around 1200 AD from northern Mexican deserts Hired out as mercenaries, for Toltecs Achieved independence by 1300. Tenochtitlan.

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The Aztecs

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  1. The Aztecs World History - Libertyville HS

  2. Rise of the Aztecs • Migrated around 1200 AD from northern Mexican deserts • Hired out as mercenaries, for Toltecs • Achieved independence by 1300

  3. Tenochtitlan • In 1325, they founded a town on an island in Lake Texcoco, at the site of modern Mexico City • City grew quickly • By 1500, population was 3-400,000 • Larger than any except cities in China • Ringed by suburban cities

  4. Political Development • Warrior based elite • Elite soldiers were called Eagle Warriors • Priests were just below Emperor in social status

  5. Systematic Slavery • Aztec warfare was directed towards capture, not killing • Prisoners of war were sacrificed to gods • But if captive had useful trade or skill, they were spared

  6. Aztec Religion • Practiced human sacrifice • Justification • Gods gave things to humans only if humans nourished the Gods • Aztecs practiced bloodletting and human sacrifice (bloodletting)

  7. Aztec Religion • Priests taught that gods were best nourished by living hearts of sacrificed captives • The braver the captive, the more nourishing the sacrifice for the Gods

  8. Aztec Religion • Why the need for human sacrifice? • Aztecs believed that gods were in constant conflict, opposition with each other • Aztec gods needed blood to fight against each other • Belief led to widespread wars • Search for sacrificial victims • Tribute paid in both food and victims

  9. Aztec Religion • Wars led to widespread resentment! • Process • Some sacrifices were minimal (1-2 POWs) • Some were spectacular in scope (1000s at a time, for hours or days)

  10. Aztec Religion • Victim held down by four priests on an altar at top of pyramid • Priest made incision below rib cage w/ razor sharp obsidian knife, pull out living heart • Heart then burned in brazier, corpse pushed down steps • Very noble carried down

  11. Aztec Religion • Aztecs believed they absorbed gods of conquered people into their own pantheon • More gods on your side, the better! • Led to need for more sacrifices for more gods

  12. Aztec Culture • Aztec Law • Simple, harsh, effective • Most punishments resulted in death or mutilation • Social hierarchy • Only boys were educated • Depended on social class • Parent’s profession generally dictated kid’s training • Women were subordinate to men

  13. Aztec Technology • Stone and bone technology • Sophisticated writing system that has been translated

  14. Decline of Aztecs • Montezuma II (r. 1502-1522) • Ruled huge empire, but empire filled with revolts by subject people • Demanded more tribute and sacrifices • Subject people of Aztec Empire HATED Aztecs • Some tribes allied with Spaniards

  15. Decline and Fall of Aztecs • Aztecs had legend involving white skinned Gods who would return from the East • Spaniards were initially regarded as Gods, by Aztecs

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