THE AZTECS

• Aztecs

  Not the first inhabitants of Mesoamerica, but they conquered the original occupants and became supreme leaders in the valley of Mexico
• Aztecs


  • According to their legend, they were nomadic and migrated to the valley of Mexico from the north-west
  • They settled on an island called Tenochtitlan in Lake Texcoco, which eventually became Mexico City
• Aztec Empire


  • Had a supreme ruler who held both religious and political responsibilities
  • The ruling families were left in power under the condition that they would provide tribute to the Aztec overlords
• Classes in Aztec society


  • Nobles
  • Commoners
  • Merchants and artisans
  • Slaves
• Aztecs Economy


  • Heavily relied on trade, and their markets were bustling hubs of activity
  • They had a unique system of floating gardens called chinampas, which were rafts made of branches, roots, and brushwood, covered with fertile soil from the lake bottom
  • Farmers cultivated maize, which was their staple crop
• Aztec gods


  • Huitzilopochtli - GOD
  • Quetzalcoatl - CREATION GOD
  • Tlaloc - RAIN GOD
• Aztec beliefs


  They believed in cycles of creation and destruction, and to save the world they had to nourish the gods- they believed that the world was created five times and destroyed four times.
• Ways to nourish the gods


  • Sacrifices including bloodletting, prayer, offering food, sports and drama, and human sacrifices
• Roles of Aztec women

  Bearing children and taking care of households and crops while the men were away at war