The Aztecs came from Azatlan, which is the mythical place of origin (Aztecs of Lost Civilization). Huizilopochtli, the god of war, told the Aztecs to leave Azatlan and wander until they saw an eagle perched on a cactus growing out of a rock and eating a snake (Los Aztecas). The Aztecs traveled many years to find the legend and finally found it while at Lake Texcoco. Lake Texcoco was ruled by the Toltecs between the 10th and 11th centuries (Microsoft Encarta Encyclopedia). Since many other tribes also migrated to Lake Texcoco at the same time, the Aztecs were pushed out to the west side of the lake to a swampy area. The only piece of dry land they had was a little island surrounded by marshes. Over a long period of time they built their empire with chinapas. Chinapas were formed by piling up mud from the lake bottom to make little islands (Aztec Empire History). Tenochtitlan (currently Mexico City), which means "Place of the Cactus", became the capital in 1325 and soon there came many islands in which bridges were built to connect the mainland (Los Aztecas). They also dug canals and constructed aqueducts. There were many religious structures, and they built temples and pyramids. By 1502 the Aztec Empire expanded from Guatemala to San Luis Potosi that is in Central and Southern Mexico and extended 800 miles along a northwest-southeast axis. The Aztecs conquered many cities and all became part of the empire, which was wedged between high mountains and surrounded by lakes (Aztecs of Lost Civilization/ Aztec Empire History). The three social classes of the Aztecs were slave, commoner, and nobility. The slaves were basically servants, although they could buy there way to freedom or if they escaped from their masters and reached the royal palace without being caught they would earn their way to freedom. There were two kinds of commoners. The maceualtin were given a lifetime ownership of a plot of land in which they would build their house!.
But sacrifice also afforded atonement to the Aztec sacrificer. ... ("The Mystery of Aztec Sacrifice"). ... The Aztecs offered many children, "upon the mountains." ... Aztec human sacrifice was a necessary part of their culture. ... Aztecs also took part in cannibalism after the sacrifices. ...
The Aztecs praised and admired remarkable athletic talent. ... The Aztecs built canoes to be able to fish and hunt. ... Aztec engineers were quit innovative and ahead of their time. ... The Aztecs had a rather intense view of games and play. ... The vast majority of Aztec games involved betting. ...
The Aztec people were certain ethnic groups of central Mexico. ... The Aztec religion was mostly based on keeping nature in balance. ... Human sacrifices were a big and very sacred thing in the Aztec religion. ... The Aztecs believed in an afterlife, but it was a little complicated. ... The culture of the Aztecs was a unique and diverse culture. ...
The Aztec priest would give him final instructions on what messages needed to reach God. ... In 1454, the Aztecs learned these truths the hard way when a great famine began. ... From then on, the Aztec practice of human sacrifice took on a high role of importance. ... It is clear that religion played a major role in the Aztec life. ... The Aztecs had a complex and varied composition of Gods and Goddesses. ...
The Aztecs were also great warriors. ... The Aztecs state was authoritarian. ... Many Aztecs lived in small, adobe homes and wealthier Aztecs lived in larger ones. ... Aztec markets were very big and busy. ... Then he went to the Aztecs city. ...
Women in Aztec Society In the Aztec society women were fated to a domestic life. ... In Aztec society, marriage represented social maturity. ... Women in all social classes played important roles in Aztec society. ... Like the Aztecs, weaving was a very important female art. ... Women in Inca society, like in Aztec society were expected to marry. ...
In the past, the Aztecs would experience this life usually. ... Based on theories and facts, nobody knows what history can conclude about the Aztecs. ... Specifically, the Aztecs believed if they didn't please their gods, then the gods would return back a way of treating the Aztecs poorly and they will eventually all die. ... Within the Aztecs' system, "The War Council enforced laws concerning the military... ... Certainly, the Aztecs were mainly the most advanced people of their time, and for many other years. ...
Aztec Religion and Sacrifice In the years before the Spanish conquest in the early 1500's, the Aztecs of Mexico ritually sacrificed at least 20,000 people per year. ... The Aztecs used war and crime as a way to find captives for sacrifice and cannibalism. ... In order to please the Aztecs" insistent gods, the Aztecs would follow their sacrificial rituals to accommodate each need of the god that was being offered to. ... The Aztecs zealous ways and profuse amount of sacrifice shows the adamancy of the Aztec's religion. ... This is the reasoning behind the Aztecs" practices. ...
