Presentation of the Aztec Empire

Aztec

Empire

start

1. Location

6. Houses

2. Language

7. Typical foods

3. Typical sport

8. Warriors

4. Economy

9. Weapons

5. Religion

Location

They were located in the central area of the Valley of Mexico, from where their empire expanded to other more southern areas. These areas occupy the current territories of the states of Mexico, Veracruz, Guerrero, Puebla, Oaxaca and the coast of Chiapas, until reaching Guatemala.

LANGUAGE

The language of the Aztecs was Nahuatl Although Nahuatl is an ancient language, it is still spoken by a small number of people in some indigenous communities in Mexico. This language has been the subject of many linguistic and cultural studies, and has been recognized as the linguistic and cultural heritage of Mexico. In its heyday, the Nahuatl language was used throughout the region that was dominated by the Aztecs.

TYPICAL sport

The objective is to keep the ball in play, if the ball fell it was a bad sign since for many historians the ball was a symbol that alluded to the Sun. Stone rings are a late addition to the game. This addition changed the game completely, since an immediate victory could be achieved by putting the ball in the hoop, or points could be scored simply if the ball touched the hoop. The moving rubber ball represented the trajectories of the sacred stars: Sun, Moon and Venus. The winner of the game was protected and supported by the gods. It was not just a game: it was a religious ritual that symbolized Huitzilopochtli defeating his sister the moon to give rise to dawn. In the Monte Albán area, the game took place at the level of the court floor, the ball was hit with the hips, elbows and knees to make the ball pass from one side to the other. The sloping walls on the sides of the court were covered with a thick lime mixture to create a surface that would return the ball to the playing field. Generally the courts were at a lower level than the rest of the cities since it was a representation of the underworld.

ECONOMY

The economy was based on advanced agriculture that made the most of available natural resources. Trade played a vital role in the economy, connecting different regions and allowing the exchange of goods and services. The tribute system was a fundamental part of the economy, with conquered communities paying tribute to Aztec rulers. Technology played an important role in the economic development of the Aztecs, from agriculture to construction. The economy had a significant impact on the society and economic development of the Aztec civilization as a whole.

The copper tajadera was a form of currency that circulated in central Mexico, parts of Central America and also South America (Ecuador, Peru, etc). Also known as Aztec ax coin or hoe coin, this standardized, stampless currency.

Religion

It was based on a pantheon of gods, each of whom had their own cult and festivities. The Aztecs believed that the gods were the creators and rulers of the universe, and that rituals and human sacrifices were necessary to maintain balance and ensure the prosperity of society. Belief in divine intervention in human affairs was fundamental to the Aztec worldview.

The Aztecs worshiped a wide variety of gods, each representing different aspects of nature and human life. Among the most important gods were Huitzilopochtli, god of war and the sun, Quetzalcóatl, god of wisdom and fertility, Tláloc, god of rain, and Tezcatlipoca, god of destiny and night. Each of these gods had their own temple and specific festivities and rituals were dedicated to them.

HOUSES

Nobles naturally had more privileges compared to common people. Like everything else, there was a clear difference between Aztec homes for the nobles and those for the common people. The Aztec house for the nobles were stone structures that were spacious and well decorated. On the other hand, Aztec homes for common people were relatively smaller and simpler. But several elements were also common among Aztec homes for nobles and commoners.

The Aztec house was typically a large room that had a large sitting area that everyone shared. This main room was sometimes divided or sectioned while remaining open. One of these sectioned areas would be a small shrine that was basically a table with idols or figures of different gods. Another section of an Aztec house was the kitchen, obviously used to prepare food. Most kitchens have a metlatl, which was a flat stone for grinding corn, and a comal, a clay plate for baking tortillas. Lastly, there was a gathering area that would also serve as a dining room for the Aztecs.

In the highlands, earth, mud and water, known as adobe, formed the brick walls of the house. These foundations supported the roof which would be made of plant stems or wood. In the lowlands, the Aztecs used clay to bind branches together, which would form a much simpler roof construction. Some Aztec houses had peaked roofs, while others had flat roofs, and the material used was usually thatched, but sometimes had a more elegant structure. In some cases, an Aztec house may be elevated and built on a platform made of wood as reinforcement, with soil, clay, and sand holding it together. Those platform-built huts and houses were typically about 40cm off the ground, providing a safety clearing for any creatures that might otherwise wander into the hut, a nice feature in what was really jungle territory.

typical food

The Aztecs were simple people. They relied on what they could grow and hunt as their main sources of food. Because it was easier to farm than to rely on animals, the Aztec diet was plant-based and focused on a few main foods. This diet provided them with the necessary nutrients to survive, but it is also a healthy way of eating that can be used as a model when designing our own nutritious eating plan. In this article we will analyze the main dishes and meals of the Aztecs.

The basic and most important ingredient of Aztec gastronomy was corn, a crop that was very important to Aztec society. Corn played a very important role in the Mexican economy, as it served as currency for a time.

The Aztecs practiced ritual cannibalism. The victims, usually prisoners of war or maltin, were publicly sacrificed on top of temples and pyramids, where their hearts were removed, after which the bodies were thrown to the ground, where they were dismembered. The pieces were distributed among the upper classes, who were mainly warriors and priests. The meat was consumed with salt and corn tortillas, but without the ubiquitous chili. Scientific and archaeological studies showed that the diet of the average Aztec was quite complete nutritionally, ruling out the idea of cannibalism as a dietary supplement.

warriors

Types of warriors:

Tlatoani. This is the highest ranking Mexica figure not only as governor but also in charge of the defense of the town and its territory, as well as the undertaking of conquest campaigns. Some examples are those of Moctezuma I and Axayácatl. The first extended Mexica dominion north to Xilotépec. On his part, Axayácatl penetrated the Toluca valley and dominated the Tlatelolcas. Cihuacoatl. According to Tezozómoc, he was considered a captain general and had great closeness with the tlatoani. Tlacochcálcatl, tlacatécatl, Cuauhnochtli and Tlilancalqui. In addition to being captains, these soldiers had the function of advising the tlatoani regarding government issues. For example, in declarations of war, establishment of border zones, etc. Shaved warriors or quaquachtin. These were eagle warriors who, because they stood out during battles, had obtained the title of quaquachtin or shaved warriors. To reach this level, they must have performed at least twenty feats or brave deeds. They were characteristic for being shaved except for a small lock that they left on the left ear.

weapons

One of the distinctive features of the weapons used by the Aztecs was the use of obsidian, a black or brown volcanic rock that was easy to carve. This volcanic rock was abundant in the region and was valued for its cutting edge and its ability to retain its edge for a long time. The Aztecs used obsidian to make a variety of deadly weapons, including arrows, spears, and knives. Obsidian points were especially feared for their ability to pierce any type of armor and cause serious wounds on the battlefield.

Among the weapons of the Mexica, the macuahuitl was one of the most emblematic. It consisted of a wooden staff with sharp obsidian blades inserted into the sides. This powerful weapon could decapitate or crush the enemy with a single blow, leaving indelible scars in the memories of those who witnessed it. The macuahuitl was a powerful and effective weapon used by Mexica warriors in hand-to-hand fights with which they caused a large number of casualties to their opponents.

The thrusting spear, or tepoztopilli, was commonly equipped by Aztec soldiers. It was longer than the Spanish spear and its stone blades were so sharp that the Aztecs used them to cut their hair. The tepoztopilli was the length of a man of approximately 1.8 meters to 2.2 meters and possessed a triangular or spherical head as well as continuous blades on its sides.