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The emperor title of the Aztec empire's name was Tlatoani, and whoever had the title "Tlatoani" had extreme political and religious power. Each Tlatoani was selected by a council of nobles. Aztec society was divided into classes, including nobles (pipiltin), commoners (macehualtin), serfs, and slaves. Nobles held administrative and military positions, while commoners worked as farmers, artisans, and warriors. The hierarchical structure was efficient for resource distribution, and military organization. It was also crucial for maintaining the empire’s stability and expansion.

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The Aztecs worshiped a lot of G-Ds, each overseeing different aspects of life and nature. Key G-Ds included Huitzilopochtli (war and sun god), Tlaloc (rain god), and Quetzalcoatl (feathered serpent god). Important to Aztec religious practices, human sacrifices were believed to please the G-Ds and ensure order with them. The Templo Mayor was considered to be “the great temple” and was located in Tenochtitlán, the capital of the Aztec empire. It was a primary site for these rituals.

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The Aztec economy was advanced and crucial to the empire's success. A key part of their economy was the tribute system, where conquered regions had to give goods like maize, beans, cotton, and jade to the Aztecs. Tenochtitlán, the Aztec capital, was a major trading center, where people could buy and sell a wide variety of goods, including food, pottery, tools, and luxury items. Merchants traveled long distances to trade and bring back goods. Trade extended beyond local markets, with the Aztecs trading throughout Mesoamerica. They used cacao beans and cotton cloaks as currency for small transactions and bartered goods for larger deals. A barter is an act of trading goods or services between two or more parties without the use of money. The tribute system and active trade allowed the Aztecs to gather the resources needed for buildings, and feeding the people, showing how important trade and agriculture were to their society.

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The Aztec military was highly organized and crucial for expanding and maintaining their empire. It included professional soldiers with ranks, and the Jaguar and Eagle warriors at the top. Boys trained as soldiers from a young age, learning to use weapons like wooden swords with obsidian blades, spears, and bows. The army was well-structured, with units from local communities led by the emperor and his generals. The Aztecs used psychological tactics and strategic battles to conquer regions, demanding tribute and capturing enemies for sacrifice. Military campaigns expanded the empire’s territory and influence, securing resources and captives for tribute and sacrifice. Their military success showed the power of the emperor and left a lasting legacy in Mesoamerican history.

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Aztec artisans created sculptures, mostly of gods, warriors, and animals. Pottery, made with geometric patterns and mythological scenes, was both functional and for decoration. The Aztecs were good in engineering, building aqueducts, and the iconic chinampas that increased agricultural productivity. Art and architecture reflected religious beliefs, and social hierarchies, contributing to the cultural of the empire.

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The chinampas were a agricultural system developed by the Aztecs to maximize food production in the marshy terrain around Lake Texcoco, upon which their capital city, Tenochtitlán, was built. These floating gardens consisted of rectangular plots of fertile land created by weaving together layers of mud and vegetation. These plots were anchored to the lakebed using stakes and were separated by narrow canals, allowing for easy navigation and irrigation. The Aztecs cultivated a wide variety of crops on chinampas, including maize, beans, squash, chili peppers, and flowers. The fertile soil, combined with the natural moisture from the lake, created ideal growing conditions, resulting in harvests year-round. Chinampas not only provided food for the growing population of Tenochtitlán but also allowed the Aztecs to trade extra crops with neighboring communities, enhancing their economic abilities. This agricultural system shows the Aztec's ability to adapt to their environment and utilize natural resources efficiently, contributing to the success of their civilization.

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Codices were ancient books made of bark paper or animal hides that the Aztecs used to write down their history and traditions. They drew pictures and symbols to tell stories and record important events like battles and ceremonies. The language of the Aztecs was called Nahuatl, and they used it to write in these codices. They wrote about everything from their daily lives to their religious beliefs. These codices and language helped the Aztecs preserve their culture and pass down their knowledge to future generations.

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The Templo Mayor was a huge and important temple in the middle of the Aztec capital city, Tenochtitlán. It had a big staircase with two main parts: one for Huitzilopochtli, the god of war and the sun, and the other for Tlaloc, the god of rain and farming. People climbed the stairs to pray and make offerings to these gods. The temple was also a place for big ceremonies and festivals. Over time, the temple got bigger as new rulers added more layers to it. After the Spanish conquest in 1521, the temple was destroyed, but later, archaeologists found its remains, helping us learn about Aztec culture and history. Today, it is a special site where people can visit and learn about Mexico's past.

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Moctezuma II, a significant ruler of the Aztec Empire from 1502 to 1520, faced both good times and challenges during his reign. He inherited an empire that was strong and expanding. However, Moctezuma also dealt with problems from neighboring states, caused by the Aztec practice of demanding tribute. In the Aztec Empire, conquered regions had to give tribute to the Aztec rulers such as food, clothing, or valuable items. It was a way for the Aztecs to show their power over other groups and to keep their empire strong. Moctezuma tried to avoid conflict but ended up being taken hostage by the Spanish who had come to explore the Americas. His reign ended tragically when he was killed during a confrontation between the Aztecs and the Spanish in 1520, marking the beginning of the downfall of the Aztec Empire.

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The Spanish Conquest of the Aztec Empire happened from 1519 to 1521 when Hernán Cortés and his soldiers from Spain came to Mexico. At first, the Aztec leader, Moctezuma II, thought they were friendly, but they wanted to take over the Aztec Empire. The Spanish had better weapons and made alliances with other native groups who didn't like the Aztecs. After a big fight, they captured the Aztec capital city, Tenochtitlán, and the Aztec Empire fell. This changed life for the native people and started Spanish rule in Mexico.

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After the Spanish Conquest the Spanish implemented Christianity, dismantled Aztec political structures, and put people into the colonial economy. Despite colonization, many aspects of Aztec culture, including language, traditions, and knowledge, persisted and adapted over time. After the conquest, many things changed. The Spanish became the rulers, and they made the native people work for them. They also brought their language, religion, and customs. The Spanish also used the land and resources for their benefit, which affected the environment. Over time, a mix of Spanish and natives lived where the Aztecs once ruled.

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Archaeological discoveries of the Aztecs have provided valuable insights into their civilization. In 1978, workers in Mexico City discovered the remains of the Templo Mayor, leading to significant archaeological findings. Finds included monumental sculptures, offerings, and everyday objects, providing insights into Aztec life and religion. Additionally, at sites like Tlatelolco, another Aztec city, archaeologists uncovered evidence of Aztec marketplaces. Overall, archaeological discoveries of the Aztecs continue to enhance our understanding of this fascinating civilization and its legacy in Mesoamerican history.

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The Aztecs left a big mark on the world that still affects us today. They built impressive cities, made advances in science and art, and had rich cultural traditions. Many words in the Spanish language today come from Aztec words, showing their influence on Mexican culture. Their farming techniques, like chinampas, are still used today. Aztec foods like maize, beans, and chili peppers are staples in many diets. Their religious beliefs also influenced the way people in Mexico practice their faith today. Overall, the Aztecs had a lasting impact on the world, and we can still see their legacy in many aspects of life.

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The Aztecs were a remarkable civilization that had its peak in Mesoamerica during the late medieval period. The Aztecs left a lasting legacy that continues to shape our understanding of ancient civilizations and their impact on the modern world. The Aztecs, known for their complex society, powerful empire, and rich cultural heritage, prove how language, social hierarchies, and imperial expansion shape history. This exhibition will explore the Aztecs' rise to power, their social structures, and cultural achievements.

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The Codex Mendoza is an important document that tells us a lot about the Aztecs. It was created in the 16th century, soon after the Spanish conquered the Aztec Empire.The Codex Mendoza offers valuable insights into Aztec society. It includes information about their rulers, their tribute system, and their daily lives. The codex also has pictures showing important events and ceremonies, giving us a glimpse into Aztec culture. The Codex Mendoza is an valuable resource for historians studying the Aztec civilization and its legacy.

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Look to the right there's more entrees

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even more right is some more

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Bibliography

Burton, Tony. 2015. “The Codex Mendoza, a Key Resource about Aztec Times, Can Now Be Viewed Online | Geo-Mexico, the Geography of Mexico.” Geo-Mexico.com. January 19, 2015. https://geo-mexico.com/?p=12478.

“Codex Mendoza (1542).” n.d. The Public Domain Review. https://publicdomainreview.org/collection/codex-mendoza-1542/.

“Codex Mendoza and Mexican History.” n.d. Curationist. https://www.curationist.org/editorial-features/article/codex-mendoza-and-mexican-history.

https://www.facebook.com/thoughtcodotcom. 2019. “The Legend of Huitzilopochtli, the Founding Deity of the Aztecs.” ThoughtCo. 2019. https://www.thoughtco.com/huitzilopochtli-aztec-god-of-the-sun-171229.

National Geographic Society. 2023a. “Tenochtitlan | National Geographic Society.” Education.nationalgeographic.org. National Geographic. January 26, 2023. https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/tenochtitlan/.

———. 2023b. “Aztec Civilization.” Education.nationalgeographic.org. National Geographic. October 19, 2023. https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/aztec-civilization/.

“Rise of the Aztecs.” n.d. History Skills. https://www.historyskills.com/classroom/year-8/year-8-aztec-rise-reading/.

Soustelle, Jacques. 2002. Daily Life of the Aztecs. London: Phoenix.

Stuart, Gene S, James H Sutton, and National Geographic Society (U.S.). Special Publications Division. 1981. The Mighty Aztecs. Washington, D.C.: National Geographic Society.

“The Aztec Empire.” n.d. The Guggenheim Museums and Foundation. https://www.guggenheim.org/teaching-materials/the-aztec-empire.

“The Templo Mayor: The Gruesome Epicentre of the Aztec Cult of Human Sacrifice.” n.d. History Skills. https://www.historyskills.com/classroom/year-8/the-templo-mayor/.

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Just look all around the project

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Thank you so much for the amazing year!!

Thank you so much,

Eitan