Facts about the Aztec.

1. The Aztecs
 Located in modern day Mexico, and
Tenochtitlan was the capital city and is
located in what is now present day
Mexico City.

2. Rise of the Aztec Empire
 According to legend, the war god told one
of the tribes’ leaders that they should look
for a place where they saw an eagle
perched on a cactus eating a snake. It was
there that they should settle and build a
new capital.
– They built Tenochtitlan after the prediction came
true, and it was on a swampy island in Lake
Texcoco.

3. Rise of the Aztec Empire
Cont…
 Population consisted of farmers &
warriors.
– Allied with Texcoco and Tlacopan.
 After the alliance was formed the empire
gained control over many region.
– Ruled 400 – 500 other city-states.
– 5 Million people under Aztec rule.

4. Aztec Empire
 Conquered people
paid tribute.
– Tribute was a type
of tax.
 The Aztec Empire
gained wealth:
– Trade
– Tribute

5. Tenochtitlan
 Size
– Five square miles
 Approximately 3200
acres
 Population
– 200,000
 Architecture
– Walled City
– Pyramid
– Temples
– Palaces
– Ball court
– “Floating Gardens”
 Chinampas
– Canals
– Markets

6. Aztec Society
 Social Classes
King
Priests & Warriors
Farmers
Slaves & Prisoners of War
Though people were born
into a certain class it was
possible to move up the
ranks within a life time.
Also a part of the middle
class:
• Merchants and Artisans

7. Aztec Religion
 Main deity in the Aztec religion was
Huitzilopochtli and was known as both the
sun god and war god.
– Human sacrifice was practiced heavily in the
Aztec religion.
 Believed that these sacrifices gave power to the gods
which in turn would insure the survival of the Aztec
civilization.

8. Religion
 War captives were used in the sacrifices
– In times of peace the Aztec would have to
resort to ritualistic warfar.
 In the year 1487 the Aztecs reported
killing 84,400 war prisoners in four days
at the great pyramid of Tenochitlan.
– After a town was conquered the inhabitants
where no longer eligible of sacrifice and
became Aztec citizens.

9. Aztec Art
 The Aztecs also made other
religious and non-religious
artifacts such as jade
masks.
– These artifacts were sold in
markets by visiting
merchants.

10. Aztec Achievements
 Written Record
– Glyphs- symbols that represented both
objects and sounds.
 Kept track of tax record and business details.
 Astronomy
– Calendar like the Mayans, but they also
tracked the movements of some planets.