Early Human Early Human MigrationsMigrations

Origins of the Origins of the Peoples of the Peoples of the Americas?Americas?

Origins of the Origins of the Peoples of the Peoples of the Americas?Americas?

Sculpture from the Sculpture from the AmericasAmericas

Major Pre-Columbian Major Pre-Columbian CivilizationsCivilizations

Lands of the Lands of the AztecsAztecs

The Aztecs

• Hunters and warriors, the Aztecs lived in central Mexico

• Named their capital city Tenochtitlan

Today- Mexico City

• According to legend, Aztec priests told people to settle where they would find an eagle sitting on a cactus and holding a snake in its beak

The The Codex Codex

MendMendozaoza : :The The

FoundFoundingingofof

TenocTenochtitlahtitla

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Aztec View of Aztec View of TenochtitlanTenochtitlan

Ruins of the City Ruins of the City Center, TenochtitlanCenter, Tenochtitlan

Life in Tenochtitlan

• Located on an island in Lake Texcoco

• Land was scarce, so artificial islands were created as floating gardens

• Grew corn, beans

Tenochtitlan: The Tenochtitlan: The “Venice” of the “Venice” of the

AmericasAmericas

Aztec Aztec ChinampaChinampa or or Floating Garden:Floating Garden:

15ft. to 30ft. wide15ft. to 30ft. wide

Tenochtitlan - Tenochtitlan - ChinampasChinampas

• Conquered surrounding areas, until they controlled most of modern Mexico and Central America

• Population of Tenochtitlan estimated around 150,000 in year AD 1500.

The Aztecs Were Fierce The Aztecs Were Fierce WarriorsWarriors

Government/Society

• Hierarchy- levels of authority

• Emperor– Nobility

• Commoners (priests, merchants, artisans)

– Serfs

» Slaves (criminals, prisoners of war)

• Male prisoners of war were sacrificed to the Aztec Gods

• Believed they were needed to keep the gods pleased and prevent natural disasters

Aztecs Sacrifice Aztecs Sacrifice Neighboring Tribes Neighboring Tribes to the Sun Godto the Sun God

Heart SacrificeHeart Sacrificeon an Aztec Temple on an Aztec Temple

PyramidPyramid

Wall of Skulls, Wall of Skulls, TenochtitlanTenochtitlan

• Calendar-

• Used a 365 day solar calendar

• The Sun god was the chief god

Aztec Sun MotifsAztec Sun Motifs

Aztec MathAztec Math

Aztec WritingAztec Writing

Aztec Aztec CodexCodex (15c Manuscript)(15c Manuscript)

Aztec GoldAztec Gold

AZTEC GODS

Aztec GodsReligion was extremely important in Aztec life.They worshipped hundreds of gods and goddesses, each of whom ruled one or more human activities or as aspects of nature e.g. sun, rain.They believe that everything in life is controlled by the gods, they bring good things, such as rain to make the crops grow, but also bad things like disease, drought and bad luck.

The Aztecs thought that the power of the gods should be acknowledged and thanks given to them, so as to avoid the catastrophes that their rage could cause.For this reason monuments temples and statues were built, and sacrifices performed as gifts to the gods.

Huitzilopochtli(Hummingbird)

He is the god of war and the rising sun and special guardian of Tenochtitlan.He is the special god of the Aztec people, they believed he brought them success in war.His temple on the main pyramid was the focus of fearsome sacrifices of the prisoners captured by Aztec warriors. Victims’ heads were strung as trophies on a great rack.He is always shown as a warrior. He wears a warrior’s cotton oversuit and carries a shield and a snake of fire. His body and clothes are painted blue.

Quetzalcoatl(Feathered Serpent)

He is the wind god and also the god of knowledge.He is usually a friend to the people. He has taught them many skills, such as picture writing, art and science.He taught men the calendar and devised ceremoniesHe is shown with a beard to represent age or an old man. He wears the mask of a serpent and a hat decorated with the feathers of a quetzal bird.

TlalocTlaloc is the rain god. He is known as “he who makes things sprout”. The rain he brings allow crops to grow.Tlaloc also controls storms, thunder and lightning.He is shown holding lightening in the form of a snake in one hand.In the other hand he holds an axe which makes thunder-bolts.The jaguar he sometimes has coming from his mouth is the roar of thunder.Tlaloc is always shown with goggle eyes and long teeth.

XochipiliXochipili, the Flower Prince, is the god of flowers, pleasure, feasting, frivolity and artistic creativity.

Xochipili is closely related to Macuilxochitl (Five Flower), who is one of the Ahuiateteo, the gods that embody the dangers of excess.

Xochipili rules over the eleventh day of the tonalpohualli, day Ozomahtli (monkey)

Your taskYour task is to create an Aztec god of your own. Remember that they had a god or goddess to represent everything.Describe what it is they represent and this can be more than one thing.Describe what they look like and what the things they hold or wear represent (this should be to do with what they are god/goddess of).Create a colored illustration of your god/goddess and label each important part.

ThenWrite a myth or story about your god/goddess. (minimum of 5 sentences)