The Aztecs inhabited the area around Lake Texcoco in central Mexico between 1300-1500 CE. They founded the city of Tenochtitlan on an island in the lake, which grew to become one of the largest cities in the world. The Aztecs were known for their large empire, sophisticated culture, and practice of human sacrifice for religious rituals. The Aztec empire came to an end when the Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés defeated the Aztecs and captured Tenochtitlan in 1521.

1. THE AZTECS 1300-1500’s CE http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Flag_of_Mexico.svg

2. THE AZTECS: GEOGRAPHY http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Image:Aztec_Empire_c_1519.png Images courtesy Madman http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Image:Lake_Texcoco_c_1519.png

3. THE AZTECS: TENOCHTITLAN http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Image:Battle_Spanish_Otomies_Metztitlan.jpg http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:TenochtitlanModel.JPG Glyph of the state Tenochtitl án was one of two Aztec states, the other being Tlatelolco. Both are now a part of greater Mexico City.

4. THE AZTECS: DIEGO RIVERA http://www.kalipedia.com/fotos/gran-ciudad-tenochtitlan-obra.html?x=20070717klphisuni_161.Ies

5. THE AZTECS: DIEGO RIVERA http://www.vivamexico.info/Index1/Mexico1.html

6. THE AZTECS: TEMPLO MAYOR http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Templo_Mayor.svg Located in Tenoctitlan, the temple contained dual shrines, one for Tlaloc, who was the god of rain (fertility), and the other, Huitzilopochtli, who was the god of the sun and war. It was enlarged for the last time in 1487.

7. THE AZTECS: HUMAN SACRIFICE http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Mendoza_HumanSacrifice.jpg http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Tzompantli_Tovar.jpeg tzompantli or skull rack Although no official numbers are known, it is generally believed that Aztecs sacrificed humans to appease the gods, and pay their debt. Sacrifices typically occurred during the 18 monthly festivals, and the numbers of those killed during these religious ceremonies could enter the thousands.

8. THE AZTECS http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:20041229-Ocelotl-Cuauhxicalli_%28Museo_Nacional_de_Antropología%29_MQ.jpg Photo courtesy Luidger A stone jaguar-shaped Cuauhxicalli (Eagle gourd bowl) was used to hold human hearts. This is ‘Ritual’ based product design for sacrifices.

9. THE AZTECS: SUN STONE http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Aztec_calendar_stone.jpg Dedicated to the 5th sun god Tonatiuh, The Aztec Sun Stone is a monolithic piece of basalt dealing primarily with their beliefs about the cosmos, the main one being that they were living in the 5th (and final) universe. The previous 4 universes had been destroyed, and this is depicted in the panel. Additionally the stone shows how the Aztecs measured time. http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Image:Tonatiuh.jpg http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Image:Aztec_Sun_Stone_Replica_cropped.jpg Photo courtesy Ancheta Wis 3.6 meters in diameter, 1.2 meters thick, 24 tons Claws holding hearts Tongue as knife 4 previous universes as jaguar, wind, fire rain, water 20 days of Aztec month (18 months) Green dots represent 5-day weeks 8 “points” as sun rays 2 snakes frame the piece Top square gives date: 1479

10. THE AZTECS: CARVED DIETIES http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Image:Disco_Coyolxauhqui.jpg Photos courtesy Lin Mei Coyolxauhqui Disc http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Image:Tlaltecuhtli_statue.jpg Earth Diety Tlaltecuhtli

11. THE AZTECS: FASHION http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Nezahualpiltzintli.jpg Nezahualpilli is shown wearing a blue cape known as a xiuhtilmatli. This image is from the Ixtilxochitl Codex. Also, the breechcloth (maxtlatl)and sandals (cactli) were popular for males of status.

12. http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Image:Tlalocbraziercentered.jpg Tlaloc brazier THE AZTECS: PRODUCT

13. THE AZTECS: PRODUCT http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Image:Máscara_de_Xiuhtecuhtli_Cultura_Azteza-Mixteca_Ars_Summum.JPG Máscara of Xiuhtecuhtli http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Image:London_179.jpg Photo courtesy Urban Turqoise & shell mosaic

14. THE AZTECS: PRODUCT http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Image:Xipe_Totec_mask_Louvre_MH_78-1-60.jpg Aztec god Xipe Totec pendant-mask Aztec ear flares; ceramic with gold leaf http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Image:Aztec_ear_flares%2C_Art_Institute.jpg

15. THE AZTECS: FALL & SUBJUGATION http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Cortes.jpg http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Image:Battle_Spanish_Otomies_Metztitlan.jpg Hernán Cortéz, conquistador After over two years of association with the Aztecs, including the captivity and death of Moctezuma, as well as La Noche Triste, Cortéz finally captured the city of Tenoctitlan on August 13th, 1521. The city is believed to have been home to betwee 60,000 - 300,000 people - only Constantinople was larger in all of Europe.

16. THE AZTECS: MENDOZA CODEX http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Image:Codex_Mendoza_folio_2r.jpg 71 page codex written on European paper

17. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Codex_Mendoza_folio_10r.jpg Section I: Conquest of Axayacatl Section II: Triple Alliance tribute http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Codex_Mendoza_folio_47r.jpg THE AZTECS: MENDOZA CODEX Section III: Aztec daily life http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Codex_Mendoza_folio_60r.jpg