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Ask History: What Happened to the Aztecs? | History

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The Aztec Empire

group of nomads that migrated into the Valley of Mexico (Lake Texcoco).

started small

farmers and warriors

farmers worked on lands to feed their population.

Tenochtitlán (city found) now known as Mexico City

constructed artificial fields called chinampas (support their growing population)

planted crops(maize, beans, squash)

ADVANTAGES

started by the lakeside

fulfilling human needs (water source)

transportation (canoes) allowing the market to grow

Empire:

skilled warriors

fought between 2 cities (Texcoco ans Tlacopan)

slowly expanding their territory (6 million people)

largest city in Mesoamerica (built Templo Mayor)

hierarchy system ruled by supreme leader

new emperors are elected by 4 noblemen

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Tláloc- the god of rain and water, was associated with life giving and sustenance and fertility, as well as springs, mountains and caves. Child sacrifices were made to him, and children were expected to weep in order to bring rain.

Xipe Totec - or the Flayed one, was the god of the seasons, renewal, and growing things.  He was also the patron of gold workers, his rituals were still quite bloody.  He flayed himself to give humanity food, and was shown as wearing a flayed human skin.  Sculptures of this god may have been dressed in the skins of sacrificial victims.

Huitzilopochtli - (Hummingbird of the South/Left) was a warrior sun god, requiring blood sacrifice to help him win the battle against darkness and ritual blood letting was used. Nevertheless, sacrificed warriors were thought to rise and fight with Huitzilopochtli,

Quetzalcoatl - was an important deity, since he had been the creator of humans.  Quetzalcoatl retrieved the bones of humans from the underworld and added his blood to bring them to life.  This god was represented by a feathered serpent, it is being show in many different carvings and paintings.

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Templo Mayor

First temple was constructed in 1325 CE

Second Temple was Built during the ruling period of Itzcoatl, Aztec King (1427-1440 CE

The temples was further improved and expanded by the successor Aztec King, Motecuhzoma I (1440-1469 CE) and Ahuitzotl (1486-1502CE)

Total 7 Temples

Tribute to Aztec God, The God of Rain and Water - Thaloc and The Sun God - Huitzilopochtli.

A Place for Human Sacrification

To show their satisfaction for their current wealth

To maintain the harmony relationship between the God And Human

Slaves/War Captives or Children are mostly selected for human sacrification.

Offerings are flowers or expensive goods

A Place for Ceremony

New Fire Ceremony, held every 52 Years (a complete Solar Cycle in Aztec Calender)

1. The torch was first lighted up in Mount Huixachtlan, then used to light up the fire on top of the Templo Mayor and later on transfered to other temple (Something like Olympic)

The birth of the Sun God

Month of Toxcatl

Funeral and Coronation of new kings

Aftermath of Templo Mayor

1. Aztecs people defend vigorously during the Spanish conquest

2. Spanish Take over the place and placed a Cross on top of the Templo Mayor

3. Refurbish by other people and abandoned till 20th Century which excavated by archeologist

4. Added To UNESCO World Heritage

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The Aztec empire had to deal with minor rebellions due to their large population.When new rulers took power at Tenochtitlan, but these had always been swiftly dealt with.

When the conquistadors arrived from Europe, the Spanish conquerors were greedy for gold and other riches from South and Central of America.

Although they were outnumbered, they were able to overpower the Aztec with far superior weapons, such as guns and cannons.

The Aztec warriors were only armed with spear throwers and swords.

The Spanish invaders also brought diseases such as smallpox that will eventually kill millions of native people throughout the Americas.

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One of the most valuable heritage from Aztec was the advancement in architecture. Furthermore, another influence in modern day Mexico is through the culture and traditions. Today, much of Aztecs’ culture has vanished, but artifacts and other reminders of the Aztecs’ past is still alive. The Aztec Empire is now known as Mexico City and rich with history. There are many sites and places in Mexico that hasn't been explored or discovered.

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1. https://www.history.com/topics/aztecs

2. https://www.ancient.eu/Aztec_Civilization/

3. http://www.aztec-history.com/