Aztec Civilization
The Aztec civilization, also known as the Mexica, was a Mesoamerican culture that flourished in central Mexico in the post-classic period from 1300 to 1521. Here are some key aspects of the Aztec civilization:
Origins and Rise to Power
- The Aztecs were one of the last of the Nahuatl-speaking peoples to migrate into the Valley of Mexico.
- They founded the city of Tenochtitlan in 1325, which would become the capital of their empire, located on an island in Lake Texcoco.
- Through alliances, strategic marriages, and military conquests, the Aztecs expanded their control over a large part of central Mexico.
Government and Society
- The Aztec empire was governed by a complex system with the Tlatoani (emperor) at the top, supported by a council of nobles and military leaders.
- Society was hierarchical, with nobles, commoners, serfs, and slaves. Mobility between classes was possible but rare.
- The Calpulli were clans or groups that provided social organization, land distribution, and education.
Culture and Religion
- Aztec religion was polytheistic, with gods like Huitzilopochtli (the sun and war god) and Quetzalcoatl (the feathered serpent) being particularly revered.
- Human sacrifice was a significant part of their religious practices, believed to ensure the continuation of the world and the sun's daily journey.
- Art, poetry, and literature were highly developed, with many codices (books) recording history, science, and religious beliefs.
Economy
- The Aztecs had a vibrant economy based on agriculture, particularly chinampa farming, trade, and tribute from conquered cities.
- Markets like Tlatelolco were centers of commerce where goods from all over Mesoamerica were traded.
- They used cacao beans and cotton as forms of currency.
Fall of the Aztec Empire
- The arrival of the Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés in 1519 marked the beginning of the end for the Aztec empire.
- The Aztecs were weakened by disease, internal conflicts, and alliances of other indigenous groups with the Spanish.
- Tenochtitlan fell to the Spanish in 1521 after a prolonged siege, marking the end of the Aztec civilization as an independent power.
Legacy
- Today, the legacy of the Aztecs can be seen in Mexico's culture, language (Nahuatl), and numerous archaeological sites like Teotihuacan and Templo Mayor.
- Their mythology, art, and architecture continue to influence Mexican culture and are celebrated in events like Dia de los Muertos.
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