An Aztec mask representing death and rebirth after death.
The Aztecs: A Fierce Confederacy
In 1325, the Aztec empire founded Tenochtitlan when they established themselves in Central Mexico. With the coming of the Aztecs, the downfall of the Toltecs began, bringing them to an end. The Aztecs reached the area known as Mesoamerica in the 13th century, coming from their home land of Aztlan. Because of a sign that they received: an eagle perched on a cactus in the middle of nowhere, they decided to build their land on a marshy landed area near the southwest border of Lake Texcoco. The Aztecs, being their own state at first, had their own language called Nahuatl. From being two islands on Lake Texaco, architects filled in parts of the lake and built bridges to make the land more central. The capital city was built on current day Mexico City. They had a large system of agriculture which included irrigation methods and intensive land cultivation. They’re powerful military methods would be one of the many reasons the Aztecs were able to build a successful empire.
Daily Life of an Aztec
The Aztec's main source of food were crops they harvested such as maize, beans, squashes, potatoes, tomatoes and avocadoes. They were originated as nomadic hunter gatherers in Northern Mexico, so they still hunted. There were plenty of fishers to get seafood, along with hunters who hunted local animals like snakes, rabbits, coyotes and wild turkeys. Those that weren’t farmers that did these works were probably slaves who were in debt with someone.
There were many farmers to work on the lands and slaves to help them too. But the overwhelming occupation was the warriors. They had to help support and secure the land in which they all lived. Some were also Military scouts to help bring in more warriors. There were some that were doctors who knew how to mend a broken bone and help heal the pain, and some were dentists who’d help look at teeth and keep them healthy. The Aztecs had established schools to educate their children until they were old enough to work in fields or become warriors. The rest of the people were probably traders, making a living off of giving others what they had for something the Aztecs needed in return. In the 15th century, the Mixtecs and the Zapotecs fought the Aztecs over the Chiapas and Guatemala trade routes for control.
There were many farmers to work on the lands and slaves to help them too. But the overwhelming occupation was the warriors. They had to help support and secure the land in which they all lived. Some were also Military scouts to help bring in more warriors. There were some that were doctors who knew how to mend a broken bone and help heal the pain, and some were dentists who’d help look at teeth and keep them healthy. The Aztecs had established schools to educate their children until they were old enough to work in fields or become warriors. The rest of the people were probably traders, making a living off of giving others what they had for something the Aztecs needed in return. In the 15th century, the Mixtecs and the Zapotecs fought the Aztecs over the Chiapas and Guatemala trade routes for control.
After my school days were finished, they told me that I would serve along with all the other men, that it was an honor. I watched my other friends who would become doctors and dentists look at me with envy. I myself felt proud that I would fight for my people and for the gods. Yet when we fought the other people for the routes, I found it hard to believe that it was any good. Still, my companions seemed to enjoy it.
Religion in the Aztec Society
Though they had only one emperor who ruled the land, who was chosen by the priests (who were looked highly upon) and the nobles, they were strong believers of gods. They were a polytheistic religion, as most tribes were, but their main god was the Sun God, Tonatiuh. The Aztecs believed that it took the god many tries (5 to be exact) to create the earth. Each time there was a different problem that would destroy the earth. In the end, the gods decided that they’d have to sacrifice themselves in order to allow the humans to live. One by one the gods were sacrificed by Ehecatl, another god. Because the gods had to sacrifice themselves for the humans to live, the humans had to repay them.
The Aztecs believed that the only way to repay the gods for their good deed was by sacrificing their own people to the gods. They would offer thousands of sacrifices to please their gods. The Aztecs also believed in natural balance. The gods, humans and nature had to be in balance and interconnected. With that, they believed that what happened to someone in their afterlife was only determined by the way they died, not based on how they were as a person during their life.
Arts and Inventions
Many of their arts were based off of their religion as for they had architects build Teocalli, or “god houses”. They also had colored clothing with jewelry, head dresses that they wore, and ceremonial knives designed especially for each person. They had invented mighty weapons such as the maquahuitl, which is very similar to the sword, and slings to help in war. Many of the arts were also inspired by the Toltecs after the Aztecs overtook them and their land. Most of the art respected insects, birds and animals, and they had many themes such as jaguars, dogs, monkeys and deer. They were also known for the accurate calendars they made.
The Aztec calendar had multiple images to represent different days, months and possibly years.
The Downfall of The Aztecs
The knowledge and power they had were unfortunately not enough, for when the Spanish conquistador, Hernan Cortes, led a group of invaders into their land in 1521, the Aztecs were overthrown by force and their city of Tenochtitlan was captured. That brought an end to the last of Mesoamerica’s great native civilization.
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Links
- http://www.history.com/topics/aztecs
- www.aboutoaxaca.com/oaxaca/zapotec.asp
- http://www.aztec-history.com/olmec-civilization.html
- http://www.slideshare.net/rhalter/mesoamerican-civilizations?from_search=1
- http://www.aztec-history.com/ancient-aztec-art.htm
- http://www.mexicolore.co.uk/aztecs/ask-us/aztec-mexica-clothing