The AztecsA Glorified Civilization

By Priscilla Campos & Sarah Alonzo

Period 3,Ms.Sued

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•Aztecs existed during the 12th through16th century

•They controlled the valley of Mexico and much of central America during the late 12th century-15th century

•The Aztecs began in 1427 after their leader defeated the Tepanecs and gained control of the Mexican basin from 1427-1521

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•Lived in a huge oval basin surrounded by snowcapped volcanoes, located in the center of Mexico•According to the Aztec legend the gods told them to search for an eagle on top of a cactus holding a snake in its  mouth. They saw a sign in a swampy lake near lake Texaco.•They soon built their city which was called Tenochtitlan which is now called Mexico City.•They expanded their territory by a fierce conquest and shrewd alliance, they spread their rule across mostly all of Mexico. •From the Gulf of Mexico on the east to the pacific ocean on the west•By the 1500’s there were about 30 million people.

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•Like any culture, the Aztecs were influenced by their environment•Their basic form of clothing that an Aztec wore was breechcloth, which was called "maxtlatl.“•Feathers were and large amount of gold was worn , which showed the power and strength of their empire

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•Primarily polytheistic-believed in more than one god.•One of their gods, Huitzilopochotti, was a war god & represented the sun.•The Aztecs did rituals, they believed this pleased the gods and prevented droughts or other bad things.•Chief god was Huitzilopochtli. He was the sun god. He battled the forces the darkness each night and reborn each morning. To make sure the sun would come up everyday the Aztecs offered human sacrifices.•The Aztecs believed that illness was a punishment from the gods.

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•Established the great city of Tenochtitlan, which is Mexico City today•Tenochtitlan had at least 200,000 to 300,000 habitants

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•They devised a accurate calendar.

•Were extremely adept (highly skilled) at military matters and among the best and fiercest warriors ever seen in Mexico

•They created amazing architecture such as statues, pyramids, and temples.

•Were the first to make popcorn! The popped corn was eaten along with being an ornament of the headdresses

Aztec Calendar - Sun Stone

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•High officials lived in great palace complexes, which were reserved for the ruler or huei Tlatoami, meaning greater speaker

•Houses of ordinary people were generally plastered with mud, and roofed with thatch •They had frequent human sacrifices. Such as heart sacrifices which they then offered to their gods.

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•They had superior knowledge in treatment of wounds and many other diseases.

•Corn was cultivated extensively along with beans, avocados, squashes, potatoes, and tomatoes.

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A founder and leader named, Xokonoschetletl

Descendants can be found in several

different countries :El Salvador, Guatemata , Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, the U.S, & part of Belize

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•Aztec ruins were built and used over a 200-year period, some have stood for over 800 years.•700 yard trail leads visitors through the west ruin, an excavated great house the had at least 400 interconnected rooms built around an open plaza massive sandstone walls over 30ft

Aztec ruins of Teotihuacan: Temple of the Sun

SOURCES:•Mexico by Michael D. Coe and Rex Koontz (Published in the U.S.A ,1984)•http://www.aztec-history.net/aztec_achievements•http://www.nps.gov/azru/•http://media.photobucket.com/image/aztec%20major%20achievements/Pinchak/aztecTOT.jpg•http://media.photobucket.com/image/aztec%20major%20achievements/Chicanindio/Azteca/aztec_calendardisk-1.jpg