The Aztec EmpireThe Aztec Empire

© 2011Clairmont Press

Aztec civilizationAztec civilization

• The Aztec Civilization was The Aztec Civilization was the most powerful in Central the most powerful in Central and South Mexico at the time and South Mexico at the time of the European exploration.of the European exploration.

• The borders stretched from The borders stretched from the Gulf of Mexico to the the Gulf of Mexico to the Pacific Ocean.Pacific Ocean.

• They controlled lands as far They controlled lands as far south as present-day south as present-day Guatemala. Guatemala.

• The Aztecs were a civilization The Aztecs were a civilization of over 20 million people.of over 20 million people.

• Tenochtitlan would have Tenochtitlan would have been the largest capital city been the largest capital city in Europe.in Europe.

Aztec cultureAztec culture• The Aztec Culture was based The Aztec Culture was based

on polytheism.on polytheism.

• They were known for their art They were known for their art and architecture.and architecture.

• They constructed a beautiful They constructed a beautiful capital city on Lake Texcoco.capital city on Lake Texcoco.

• They were known for their They were known for their artwork.artwork.

• They had a complex and They had a complex and wealthy society. wealthy society.

• They believed that human and They believed that human and animal sacrifice was needed to animal sacrifice was needed to keep life going. keep life going. • Had to please the gods.Had to please the gods.

Aztec government Aztec government

• The Aztecs were an autocratic The Aztecs were an autocratic government. government.

• They were ruled over by a They were ruled over by a god on earth which was their god on earth which was their emperor. emperor.

• The emperor enjoyed The emperor enjoyed absolute power.absolute power.

• Only his family and nobility Only his family and nobility were allowed to live within were allowed to live within the capital city.the capital city.

• Priests and soothsayers held Priests and soothsayers held high positions of power.high positions of power.

Aztec societyAztec society

• Poor peasants and farmers Poor peasants and farmers made up the overwhelming made up the overwhelming majority of Aztecs. majority of Aztecs. • They lived on small farm plots They lived on small farm plots

built on the lake.built on the lake.

• The peasants and farmers The peasants and farmers were above the slaves.were above the slaves.• Slaves were captured by the Slaves were captured by the

Aztec military.Aztec military.

• Aztec military members were Aztec military members were very powerful and held high very powerful and held high positions of power in Aztec positions of power in Aztec society.society.

• The Aztec society was very The Aztec society was very structured and the military structured and the military was a means of moving up.was a means of moving up.

Aztec customsAztec customs

• The Aztecs accepted The Aztecs accepted slavery and ritual sacrifice slavery and ritual sacrifice as a normal way of life.as a normal way of life.

• The Aztecs held a The Aztecs held a sacrificial ceremony in the sacrificial ceremony in the months that led up to the months that led up to the Spanish Conquest because Spanish Conquest because they believed their god they believed their god Quetzocoatl was returning Quetzocoatl was returning to destroy them.to destroy them.• It is believed that tens of It is believed that tens of

thousands of rival thousands of rival tribesmen were sacrificed.tribesmen were sacrificed.

• The Aztecs believed in a The Aztecs believed in a cyclical calendar. cyclical calendar.