Aztec Civilization

Introduction

• Time Period: 1400s to early 1500s
• Location: Central and southern Mexico
• Extent: Empire covered 80,000 sq miles (207,000 sq km)
• Population: 5 to 6 million people under Montezuma II
• Name Origins:
  • Aztlán: "White Land," probable origin in northern Mexico
  • Tenochca: Named after ancestor Tenoch
  • Mexica: Likely derived from "Metzliapan" (Moon Lake)

Society and Culture

• Capital City: Tenochtitlán
  • Built on islands in Lake Texcoco
  • Now part of Mexico City
  • Featured white palaces and temples
• Language: Nahua, contributed words like chocolate, tomato to Spanish and English
• Writing: Used pictorial representations, no alphabet

Economy

• Agriculture: Main occupation
  • Crops: Corn, beans, peppers, squash, tomatoes, tobacco, and cotton
• Trade and Crafts: Significant economic activities

Religion

• Gods:
  • Huitzilopochtli: Sun god, god of war
  • Tonatiuh: Another sun god
  • Tlaloc: God of rain
  • Quetzalcóatl: God of learning, symbol of death and rebirth
• Practices:
  • Rituals and ceremonies
  • Human sacrifice was significant
• Calendar: Accurate solar calendar, influenced by Mayan knowledge

History

• Migration: Moved from north to central Mexico (~AD 1200)
• Cultural Influence: Adopted traits from Toltec, Maya, and Zapotec
• Tenochtitlán Founded: Around 1325
• Political Evolution:
  • First king: Acamapichtli
  • Alliance formed to defeat Azcapotzalco
  • Rise of the "huey tlatoani" (emperor) under Ahuitzotl
• Conquest: Spanish conquest led by Hernán Cortés in 1521 ended Aztec Empire

Legacy

• Modern Descendants: Many in Mexico City area
• Language Contributions: Words like chocolate, tomato, avocado

Noteworthy Facts

• Aztec Technology: Adaptations from Maya for solar year calculations
• Cultural Richness: Diverse gods representing natural forces

This summary captures key elements about the Aztec civilization, emphasizing their social structure, cultural practices, religious beliefs, and eventual downfall.