Aztecs Lecture Notes

Overview

• Aztecs: A Mesoamerican civilization in central Mexico from 1300 to 1521.
• Known for their dominance in Mesoamerica through the Nahuatl-speaking peoples.
• Comprised of multiple ethnic groups; not just the Mexica of Tenochtitlan.
• Aztec Empire: Triple alliance of Tenochtitlan, Tetzcoco, and Tlacopan, established in 1427.

Culture and Society

• City-States (Altepetl): Were central units of Aztec socio-political organization.
• Social Classes: Divided into nobles (pipiltin) and commoners (macehualtin).
• Religion: Polytheistic with gods like Huitzilopochtli, Tlaloc, and Quetzalcoatl.
• Calendar: Utilized a 365-day calendar (xiuhpohualli) and a 260-day ritual calendar (tonalpohualli).

Political Structure

• Empire Expansion: Not a territorial empire; controlled through strategic alliances and political power.
• Tributes: Conquered regions paid taxes to the Aztec Empire rather than tributes.
• Government: Led by a ruler (Tlatoani); Aztec rulers often engaged in warfare for expansion and to demonstrate power.

Key Historical Events

• Founding of Tenochtitlan: Founded in 1325 based on a prophecy involving an eagle on a cactus.
• Spanish Conquest: Hernán Cortés arrived in 1519, leading to the fall of Tenochtitlan in 1521.

Post-Conquest Period

• Colonial Transition: Aztec political structures repurposed by the Spanish; indigenous leaders were used as intermediaries.
• Cultural Impact: Epidemics decimated the population; many aspects of Aztec life were suppressed under Spanish rule.

Economy

• Agriculture: Dependent on maize; utilized chinampas for intensive farming.
• Trade and Markets: Markets played a central role in Aztec economy; pochteca were long-distance traders.

Art and Culture

• Art: Included featherwork, ceramics, and monumental sculptures.
• Writing: Used a system of pictographs and logograms rather than a fully phonetic script.

Legacy

• Modern Influence: Aztec symbols and Nahuatl words are deeply embedded in Mexican national identity and language.
• Academic Interest: Continues to be a subject of archaeological and historical study.