Aztec Civilization

Time period: The Aztecs thrived from 1345 to 1521

Geographic location: The Aztecs were in the middle of the Mexico Valley in the middle

of Lake Texco. Their empire reached as far as the border of Guatemala.

Political structure: The Aztecs had a monarchy and a series of city-states known as

altepetl made up the Aztec Empire. The Huey Tlatcani and Tlatcani is known as the emperor and

they have the highest rank of power given by the gods, who had chosen the ruler. The city

council and Executive council is below the Tlatcani, they usually do more work than the Huey

Tlatcani. The Calpulli is below the councils, there are usually three and they rule over three

families.

Religion: The Aztecs believed in a Teotl, or God, he was the center of everything in the

Aztec religion. There were multiple Sub-Gods like a fire god, thunder god, sun god, ect. They

adopted some of their gods from other Mesoamerican cultures. These gods were considered

mysterious and unexplainable. Most of the Aztecs rituals and worshipping included blood, the

richest sacrifice was a human.

Intellectual and cultural developments: The Aztecs had a very unique language, they

didnt really have writing because writing could not completely express the ideas of the Aztecs.

They used hieroglyphs or symbols. The Aztec calendar was called xiuhpohualli and it has 365

days. The Aztecs built temples, houses, roads, and political buildings. Their architecture was

monumental and expressed an empires values and its civilization. Exhibiting power while

keeping strong religious beliefs was the purpose of architecture.

 Economic Patterns: Women usually stayed home and cared for the family. Men went out

and hunted and took care of political business. The aztecs had extensive trade networks, they

would trade almost anything.

Social groupings: Slaves are the lowest of the Aztec people, farmers, fishers and women

are above slaves. Merchants, artisans and soldiers are above farmers, fishers and women.

Emperors are the highest on the social ladder, Nobility and priests are directly below them.