View
4.959
Download
0
Tags:
Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
Major Pre-Columbian Major Pre-Columbian CivilizationsCivilizations
Aztecs
Mayas
Incas
1200 CE – 1521 CE
Aztecs
Where did the Aztecs live?The Aztecs lived in what is known as the
Valley of Mexico in central Mexico.
Location: Central Valley of Mexico Tenochtitlan was the capital
Tenochtitlan
Tenochtitlan was the capital city of the Aztec Empire.
Legend of Tenochtitlan
The gods told the Aztecs to search for an eagle holding a snake in its beak perched atop a cactus. This is where they were to build their capital city. The Aztecs saw this sign on a swampy island in lake Texcoco.
Legend of Tenochtitlan
How did the Aztecs build a city in the center of a lake?Tenochtitlan was built on an islandIt was connected to the mainland by
causeways leading north, south, and west of the city.
The city was interlaced with a series of canals, so that all sections of the city could be visited either on foot or by canoe.
Tenochtitlan
Today, Tenochtitlan is Mexico City
Aztec View of Aztec View of TenochtitlanTenochtitlan
Tenochtitlan: The Tenochtitlan: The “Venice” of the “Venice” of the
AmericasAmericas
Government
The Aztecs created an empire through conquest
Conquered people and local rulers had to pay tribute to the Aztecs
The Aztecs had an emperorThe Aztec Emperor’s main job was to lead in
war
Ruins of the City Ruins of the City Center, TenochtitlanCenter, Tenochtitlan
Wall of Skulls, Wall of Skulls, TenochtitlanTenochtitlan
The The Aztecs Aztecs WereWereFierce Fierce WarriorsWarriors
Religion: Sun God- most important, needed human
blood to help rise everyday, massive number of sacrifices
Human sacrifices were offered to give the sun strength to rise each day
Used captured warriors and Aztecs for sacrifices
Religion & Mythology
Polytheistic
Huitzilopochtli was
the main Aztec god.
(weets se lo poch tlee)
The Aztecs built massive temples and pyramids dedicated to their gods
Religion & Mythology
Pyramid of the Sun Pyramid of the Moon
Heart SacrificeHeart Sacrificeon an Aztec Temple on an Aztec Temple
PyramidPyramid
Human Sacrifice
Human sacrifice was a common political & religious practice of the Aztecs.
For the re-consecration of Great Pyramid of Tenochtitlan in 1487, the Aztecs reported that they sacrificed 84,400 prisoners over the course of four days.
Aztecs Sacrifice Aztecs Sacrifice Neighboring Tribes Neighboring Tribes to the Sun Godto the Sun God
Achievements:
Astronomy Mathematics-counting system Accurate calendar Floating gardens (chinampas)
used to make up for lack of farmland, could harvest 2-3 crops per year
Aztec Aztec ChinampaChinampa or or Floating Garden:Floating Garden:
15ft. to 30ft. wide15ft. to 30ft. wide
Tenochtitlan - Tenochtitlan - ChinampasChinampas
Aztec MathAztec Math
Aztec WritingAztec Writing
Aztec Sun Stone -- Aztec Sun Stone -- CalendarCalendar
Possible Reasons for decline:
Spanish Conquistador Hernan Cortes mistaken for Aztec god.
Spanish take control of Aztecs, their gold, their land
Spanish had superior weapons (guns)
Aztec GoldAztec Gold
What happened to the Aztecs?Spanish conquistadors led by Hernan Cortes
conquered Tenochtitlan and defeated the Aztecs in 1521.
Aztec Video Clips
“Engineering An Empire”http://www.watchknow.org/Video.aspx?
VideoID=6255
“What the Ancients Did For Us”http://www.watchknow.org/Video.aspx?
VideoID=10964