Ancient Aztec CivilizationAncient Aztec Civilization

Warfare and ExpansionWarfare and Expansion

TenochtitlanTenochtitlan

Daily Life: Yautepec Daily Life: Yautepec

WarfareWarfare

Aztec EmpireAztec Empire held in loose control physically, but held in loose control physically, but

control held by intimidation and control held by intimidation and overwhelming power.overwhelming power.

made an overwhelming force, as it made an overwhelming force, as it did for the British in India, where no did for the British in India, where no immense standing armies or immense standing armies or garrisons needed.garrisons needed.

ArmiesArmies

Armies (main army numbered nearly 500,000)Armies (main army numbered nearly 500,000) all males were militarily trained, in schools. all males were militarily trained, in schools. further training was under a more experienced warrior.further training was under a more experienced warrior. social prestige and advancement for both commoner social prestige and advancement for both commoner

and noble available in military.and noble available in military. more likely, that a noble would gain more prestige due more likely, that a noble would gain more prestige due

to better access to training.to better access to training. military societies graded according to caste.military societies graded according to caste. rank determined by kinship, social status, military rank determined by kinship, social status, military

achievement, and personality.achievement, and personality. fluid and volatile organizations.fluid and volatile organizations.

Jaguar and Eagle KnightsJaguar and Eagle Knights

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Florentine CodexFlorentine Codex

http://www.rose-hulman.edu/~delacova/aztec-warfare.htm

Mendoza CodexMendoza Codex

Warriors holding prisoners.

http://www.rose-hulman.edu/~delacova/aztec-warfare.htm

ExpansionExpansion Declarations of war kept inside Declarations of war kept inside

society to gain surprise.society to gain surprise. intelligence was also a factor, spies, intelligence was also a factor, spies,

merchants and diplomats acted to aid in merchants and diplomats acted to aid in war.war.

relay stations 2 and a half miles apart relay stations 2 and a half miles apart relayed information.relayed information.

supply lines and armories provided food supply lines and armories provided food and weapons.and weapons.

ExpansionExpansion

During the 15th century the military strength of During the 15th century the military strength of the Aztecs increased. They grew from a small the Aztecs increased. They grew from a small tribe of mercenaries into a powerful and highly tribe of mercenaries into a powerful and highly disciplined military force. They also formed disciplined military force. They also formed alliances with their powerful neighbors Texcoco alliances with their powerful neighbors Texcoco and Tacuba, known as the Triple Alliance. It was a and Tacuba, known as the Triple Alliance. It was a time for building and the city Tenochtitlán grew time for building and the city Tenochtitlán grew and prospered. and prospered.

By the end of Aztec rule, in 1520, 38 conquered By the end of Aztec rule, in 1520, 38 conquered tributary provinces had been made, who had to tributary provinces had been made, who had to make payments. However, some of the tribes at make payments. However, some of the tribes at the borders stayed strongly independent. the borders stayed strongly independent.

Aztec Empire ca. 1519Aztec Empire ca. 1519

http://www.rose-hulman.edu/~delacova/aztecs/aztecs20.gif

TenochtitlanTenochtitlan In the beginning stages of Tenochtitlán, In the beginning stages of Tenochtitlán,

development, Aztec life was very difficult in their development, Aztec life was very difficult in their undesirable location. undesirable location.

Tenochtitlán was located on a marshy island with Tenochtitlán was located on a marshy island with limited resources, they built a few thatch and mud limited resources, they built a few thatch and mud huts, and some small temples. huts, and some small temples.

The Aztecs would have to work constantly to The Aztecs would have to work constantly to maintain a city on swampy land. maintain a city on swampy land.

There was also continuing tensions between the There was also continuing tensions between the Aztecs and the neighboring peoples on the Aztecs and the neighboring peoples on the mainland who despised them. mainland who despised them.

Despite these obstacles, the Aztecs worked hard to Despite these obstacles, the Aztecs worked hard to improve the quality of their lives. improve the quality of their lives.

TenochtitlanTenochtitlan

As the Aztec empire expanded, specialized As the Aztec empire expanded, specialized craftsmen and common laborers were brought to craftsmen and common laborers were brought to Tenochtitlán to expand the city. Tenochtitlán to expand the city.

Since it was built on swamp land, large wooden Since it was built on swamp land, large wooden stakes were driven into the soft ground to provide stakes were driven into the soft ground to provide secure foundations for the new buildings. secure foundations for the new buildings.

They were able to use the stone Tezontli to They were able to use the stone Tezontli to construct the buildings on the unstable ground. construct the buildings on the unstable ground.

Despite these precautions, the larger temples and Despite these precautions, the larger temples and palaces would often sink below ground level. palaces would often sink below ground level.

As a result, the older building were continuously As a result, the older building were continuously repaired or rebuilt with the newer structures built repaired or rebuilt with the newer structures built over the older core. over the older core.

Tenochtitlan: Aztec CapitalTenochtitlan: Aztec Capital

Artificially created island with Tlatelolco (Market)Artificially created island with Tlatelolco (Market) Built up by chinampa construction and use of small islets Built up by chinampa construction and use of small islets

and landfills.and landfills. The main city was only the largest of at least ninteeen The main city was only the largest of at least ninteeen

island communities in Lake Texcoco.island communities in Lake Texcoco. Measured at least 5.4 sq milesMeasured at least 5.4 sq miles High-density urban development limited to the main High-density urban development limited to the main

island.island. System of measurementSystem of measurement

Complex, but consistent and practical.Complex, but consistent and practical. omitl (bone)=1.8 feet.omitl (bone)=1.8 feet. maitl (hand)=5.4 feetmaitl (hand)=5.4 feet

LayoutLayout avenues laid out on 400 maitl (2160 foot) and cross avenues laid out on 400 maitl (2160 foot) and cross

streets spaced at 400 omitls (720 feet).streets spaced at 400 omitls (720 feet). earliest temple dates to 1428, with construction and earliest temple dates to 1428, with construction and

refurbishment continuing all the time. refurbishment continuing all the time.

Tenochtitlan Reconstruction

TlatelolcoTlatelolco

Heart of island consisted of two ceremonial Heart of island consisted of two ceremonial precincts and the market of Tlatelolco.precincts and the market of Tlatelolco. series of adjacent plazas arranged around major series of adjacent plazas arranged around major

buildings.buildings. including temples, administrative structures, including temples, administrative structures,

palaces.palaces. Lists for the center includeLists for the center include

25 pyramid temples25 pyramid temples 9 priests quarters9 priests quarters 7 skull racks7 skull racks 2 ball courts2 ball courts arsenals, shops, etc.arsenals, shops, etc.

MarketMarket

http://www.rose-hulman.edu/~delacova/aztec-life.htm

Skull RacksSkull Racks

http://www.rose-hulman.edu/~delacova/aztecs1.htm

BallcourtBallcourt

http://www.rose-hulman.edu/~delacova/aztecs1.htm

Sacred Central SquareSacred Central Square

Sacred Central SquareSacred Central Square planned from arrival of Mixecas and based on planned from arrival of Mixecas and based on

astronomical principles.astronomical principles. Solar AlignmentSolar Alignment

The sun's rays shining between the shrines of The sun's rays shining between the shrines of Tlaloc and Hutzilopochtli atop the Templo Tlaloc and Hutzilopochtli atop the Templo Mayor into the Temple of Quetzalcoatl, Mayor into the Temple of Quetzalcoatl, occured at sunrise on March 21, the equinox. occured at sunrise on March 21, the equinox.

It is said that the Templo Mayor was It is said that the Templo Mayor was reconstructed, at Moctezuma's behest, as the reconstructed, at Moctezuma's behest, as the alignment was slightly twisted. alignment was slightly twisted.

It can be seen from the temple ruins that it is It can be seen from the temple ruins that it is skewed so that it is pointed nearly 7 degrees skewed so that it is pointed nearly 7 degrees south of true east to match the sun's path south of true east to match the sun's path

Tenochtitlan Ruins: Central Tenochtitlan Ruins: Central SquareSquare

http://www.wsu.edu/~dee/CIVAMRCA/AZTECS.HTM

Great Temple (Temple Mayor)Great Temple (Temple Mayor)

Great Temple (Temple Mayor)Great Temple (Temple Mayor) aligned with the rising of the sun at the equinox.aligned with the rising of the sun at the equinox. twin pyramid with two staircases.twin pyramid with two staircases. two temples or shrines at top, one to Huitzilopochtli and two temples or shrines at top, one to Huitzilopochtli and

one to Tlaloc.one to Tlaloc. skewed seven degrees east of true north I order to skewed seven degrees east of true north I order to

accommodate such observations.accommodate such observations. also aligned with Mt. Tlaloc and another sacred mountain.also aligned with Mt. Tlaloc and another sacred mountain. placed where a priest saw an eagle eating a snake on top placed where a priest saw an eagle eating a snake on top

of a cactus.of a cactus. The Templo Mayor was founded c. AD 1325, and The Templo Mayor was founded c. AD 1325, and

then rebuilt and successively enlarged by later then rebuilt and successively enlarged by later rulers, with a total of seven major construction rulers, with a total of seven major construction stages. Each phase included two giant twin stages. Each phase included two giant twin staircases that led to twin temples at the top of the staircases that led to twin temples at the top of the Great Pyramid. Great Pyramid.

Templo MayorTemplo Mayor

http://www.rose-hulman.edu/~delacova/aztecs1.htm

Human Figure from Templo Human Figure from Templo MayorMayor

http://www.rose-hulman.edu/~delacova/aztecs1.htm

Huitzilopochtli and TlalocHuitzilopochtli and Tlaloc

Temples placed to right and left of great temple- Temples placed to right and left of great temple- Huitzilopochtli and Tlaloc.Huitzilopochtli and Tlaloc. from there extended the four major avenues running east-from there extended the four major avenues running east-

west and north-south.west and north-south. divide city into four quarters each marked by a major divide city into four quarters each marked by a major

temple.temple. The twin temple to the south was dedicated to The twin temple to the south was dedicated to

Huitzilopochtli, the patron deity of the Aztecs and Huitzilopochtli, the patron deity of the Aztecs and the deity who had led them on their journey to the deity who had led them on their journey to Tenochtitlan.Tenochtitlan. In front of this temple was placed a sacrificial stone. In front of this temple was placed a sacrificial stone. Enormous stone serpents run along the balustrades and in Enormous stone serpents run along the balustrades and in

front of the platforms on both Huitzilopochtli's side of the front of the platforms on both Huitzilopochtli's side of the pyramid and around the entire Templo Mayor. pyramid and around the entire Templo Mayor.

Temple RemainsTemple Remains

http://www.wsu.edu/~dee/CIVAMRCA/AZTECS.HTM

Coyolxauhqui stone

The Coyolxauhqui stone found at the base of the stairs on Huitzilopochtli's side of the Templo Mayor suggests that the Templo Mayor gave permanent physical form to myths like that of Coatepec, or "Snake Mountain."

TlalocTlaloc

The temple on the northern side of the twin The temple on the northern side of the twin temple was dedicated to Tlaloc, a deity temple was dedicated to Tlaloc, a deity associated with rain and agricultural fertility.associated with rain and agricultural fertility.

Mirroring the sacrificial stone on Mirroring the sacrificial stone on Huitzilopochtli's side of the pyramid was a Huitzilopochtli's side of the pyramid was a chac mool on Tlaloc's side.chac mool on Tlaloc's side.

Tlaloc's temple held the seeds of cultivated Tlaloc's temple held the seeds of cultivated plants.plants.

Instead of the serpents that decorate the Instead of the serpents that decorate the opposite side of the pyramid, frogs decorate opposite side of the pyramid, frogs decorate Tlaloc's half, probably referencing his Tlaloc's half, probably referencing his associations with water and fertility. associations with water and fertility.

Temple RemainsTemple Remains

http://www.rose-hulman.edu/~delacova/aztecs1.htm

Artifacts from TenochtitlanArtifacts from Tenochtitlan

SerpentGrasshopper

Rattlesnake

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YautepecYautepec

Yautepec was an Aztec urban center Yautepec was an Aztec urban center whose ruins today lie under the whose ruins today lie under the modern town of the same name in the modern town of the same name in the Mexican state of Morelos. Mexican state of Morelos.

Three recent archaeological projects Three recent archaeological projects make Yautepec one of the most make Yautepec one of the most intensively-studied Aztec cities outside intensively-studied Aztec cities outside of the imperial capital Tenochtitlan. of the imperial capital Tenochtitlan.

YautepecYautepec

A team of Mexican government archaeologists A team of Mexican government archaeologists began excavations at the mound in 1989, began excavations at the mound in 1989, under the direction of Hortensia de Vega Nova, under the direction of Hortensia de Vega Nova, and fieldwork has continued through 1996. and fieldwork has continued through 1996.

The excavators discovered an enormous stone The excavators discovered an enormous stone platform some 6,000 square meters in area platform some 6,000 square meters in area (0.6 hectares, or about 1.5 acres) that had (0.6 hectares, or about 1.5 acres) that had been the royal palace of the king (tlatoani) of been the royal palace of the king (tlatoani) of Yautepec.Yautepec.

The first Aztec royal palace to be excavated by The first Aztec royal palace to be excavated by archaeologists.archaeologists.

http://www.albany.edu/~mesmith/yaucity.html

ExcavationsExcavations

The locations of the excavations and houses are The locations of the excavations and houses are shown on the map of Yautepec. shown on the map of Yautepec.

One elite residence (structure 6), five commoner One elite residence (structure 6), five commoner dwellings (structures 1-4 and 7), and one dwellings (structures 1-4 and 7), and one intermediate structure (no. 5). intermediate structure (no. 5).

This is the first set of urban Aztec houses This is the first set of urban Aztec houses excavated anywhere in central Mexico. excavated anywhere in central Mexico.

The urban houses were quite similar in size and The urban houses were quite similar in size and construction to the rural houses we had construction to the rural houses we had excavated previously at Cuexcomate and Capilco. excavated previously at Cuexcomate and Capilco.

The population density of Yautepec was not much The population density of Yautepec was not much higher than the rural sites, and this implies that higher than the rural sites, and this implies that this city had considerable open space for gardens this city had considerable open space for gardens and fields within its borders. and fields within its borders.

http://www.albany.edu/~mesmith/yaucity.html

Royal PalaceRoyal Palace

http://www.albany.edu/~mesmith/yaupal1.gif

Aztec NobilityAztec Nobility

http://www.rose-hulman.edu/~delacova/aztecs1.htm

Daily Life: CommonersDaily Life: Commoners

Their domestic artifacts were nearly identical to Their domestic artifacts were nearly identical to those excavated at Aztec rural sites with one major those excavated at Aztec rural sites with one major difference. difference.

Evidence for part-time domestic craft production Evidence for part-time domestic craft production was much more abundant and widespread among was much more abundant and widespread among Yautepec houses than at their rural counterparts.Yautepec houses than at their rural counterparts.

Some Yautepec households were involved in Some Yautepec households were involved in producing blades and other tools of obsidian, and producing blades and other tools of obsidian, and the manufacture of ceramic figurines was also a the manufacture of ceramic figurines was also a common domestic activity (as evidenced by molds). common domestic activity (as evidenced by molds).

Adult burials were also found at Yautepec. Adult burials were also found at Yautepec.

EconomyEconomy

As at all Aztec sites, the most common production As at all Aztec sites, the most common production activity at Yautepec was the spinning and weaving activity at Yautepec was the spinning and weaving of cotton cloth. of cotton cloth.

All Aztec women engaged in textile production, and All Aztec women engaged in textile production, and recovered numerous ceramic spindle whorls and recovered numerous ceramic spindle whorls and spinning bowls at every excavation of a domestic spinning bowls at every excavation of a domestic context context

Household ritual involving small clay figurines was Household ritual involving small clay figurines was another common activity at Yautepec households. another common activity at Yautepec households.

Hundreds of these figurines were excavated, most Hundreds of these figurines were excavated, most of which are images of Aztec women. Men are also of which are images of Aztec women. Men are also represented, as are animals and plants, and deities represented, as are animals and plants, and deities

Stone outline of “commoner” Stone outline of “commoner” house.house.

http://www.albany.edu/~mesmith/yaupal1.gif

Reconstruction of daily life.Reconstruction of daily life.

http://www.rose-hulman.edu/~delacova/aztec-life.htm

ArtifactsArtifacts

Clay figurines

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