# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
The Aztecs are best known as a violent people who expanded their empire through ruthless warfare. They also had a reputation for making human sacrifices in elaborate rituals -- that often involved the removal of beating hearts -- to appease their many gods. While these practices were certainly true, the culture also gave birth to elaborate crafts, a highly organized system of government and a language -- Nahuatl -- that's still spoken by a million people.

In many ways, the Aztecs' warlike ways were born out of necessity. Originally part of a tribal collective known as the Chichimec, the people who would become the Aztecs wandered toward southern Mexico in the early 12th century. They arrived in the Valley of Mexico around 1250 A.D., but they found the land already populated by different city-states. For the next 75 years, the Chichimec were shunned and forced to live where there wasn't much farmable land.

They eventually settled on an island in Lake Texcoco, where, according to legend, they saw the sign foretold by their patron god Huitzilopochtli: an eagle on a cactus. The Aztecs established their city of Tenochtitlan -- present-day Mexico City -- there in 1325 A.D. Other city-states remained uneasy with their new neighbors, though, and fighting continued. Finally, they formed an alliance with two other major settlements in 1430, and the Aztec empire was born.

The empire flourished until Cortés arrived in 1521, and the Aztecs achieved many impressive accomplishments, as we'll see on the following pages.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The Aztecs are best known as a violent people who expanded their empire through ruthless warfare. They also had a reputation for making human sacrifices in elaborate rituals -- that often involved the removal of beating hearts -- to appease their many gods.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Learn about the Aztec Empire in the sixth adventure which transports you back to the time of the Aztecs. You will learn about jaguar warriors, chocolate, sacrifices, pyramids & more.

Place the Aztec era sticker on the timeline and find modern-day Mexico on the world map. Find a cosy place to read the illustrated time-travelling Aztec Era story with the matching bookmark, then learn some Aztec facts in the history booklet.

Learn about the turquoise masks that the Aztecs used, then decorate your own Aztec mask. Colour in the three Aztec-themed designs with the pencils provided, then treasure your very own Aztec-inspired stickers and special gift.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Learn about the Aztec Empire in the sixth adventure which transports you back to the time of the Aztecs. You will learn about jaguar warriors, chocolate, sacrifices, pyramids & more. Place the Aztec era sticker on the timeline and find modern-day Mexico on the world map.

# data[].attributes.body
https://www.ducksters.com/history/aztec_empire/daily_life.php

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Kids learn about the Daily Life of people during the Aztec Empire including food, clothing, housing, and education.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
For Kids

The Aztec wandered around Mexico for about 200 years before they settled down in the Valley of Mexico. Other tribes were living in the area. Rather than start a war for a place to live, the Aztecs settled down peacefully (at first) in the swampy land around Lake Texcoco.

They were clever people. They adapted to their environment. They built canoes to fish and hunt. They filled the marshes with a combination of reeds and stones and dirt to create more farmland. They built dams and dikes to free even more land. Their engineers successfully built a bustling city, with wide plazas and many shops, on a swamp.

After they had settled in, the Aztec Indians began conquering neighboring tribes. Soon, the entire Valley of Mexico was under their control. Other tribes had to pay tribute to them in the form of food, clothing, goods, and captives to feed the hungry Aztec gods. The Aztec believed in human sacrifice. That was one of the many reasons the other tribes hated and feared the Aztec. But the Aztec seemed unstoppable.

It was not until the 1500s, when the Spanish arrived, that the Aztec were conquered. The Spanish brought guns, dogs, horses, and disease. It was disease that conquered the Aztec. The Aztec Empire collapsed. The Spanish took over the entire region.

Today, in Mexico, there are about one million descendants of the ancient Aztec, living and working. Human sacrifice is no longer part of their festivals (thank goodness!), but beautiful Aztec art and clever Aztec games are still enjoyed today.
Geography, Human-Environment Interaction Myth: Place of the Prickly Pear Cactus Story: Journey of a Princess Correct Behavior Aztec Gods & Religion Aztec Afterlife Government Floating Gardens The Flying Birds (an event) Tenochtitlan, capital city Specialized Professions Aztec Myths, Legends, and Stories for Kids Cortez & Spanish Arrival Achievements & Inventions Free Online Aztec Games Take the Quiz, Interactive (with answers)
Investigate Real Life Artifacts

For Teachers
The Aztecs for Teachers Free Presentations about the Aztecs
report this ad

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
The Awesome Aztecs for Kids and Teachers - Aztecs for Kids

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The Aztec wandered around Mexico for about 200 years before they settled down in the Valley of Mexico. Other tribes were living in the area. Rather than start a war for a place to live, the Aztecs settled down peacefully (at first) in the swampy land around Lake Texcoco.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
What Montezuma's Aztec Sounded Like - and how we know