Aztec Culture

Aztecs

Jan 1, 1000

It is thought that their civilization began in the 12th century. They were not alwaya a settled nation. For many years they roamed the Earth in search of place to build a city.

Mythology

Period: Nov 20, 1100 to Nov 20, 1521

The Aztecs believed in many different gods. Here are a few of the many
Chalchiutlicue - goddess of water (springs and seas)
Ehecatl - god of the wind (a form of Quetzalcoatl)
Tonatiuh - god of warriors
Quetzalcoatl - god of intelligience and self reflection.

Tenochtitlan

Nov 19, 1325

Tenochtitlan was founded in 1325. This was where the people decided to settle down instead of roam.

In the new city

Nov 19, 1326

They farmed and they had people who worked with crafters (Pottery and beading). They akso created canals which were to help them have water to drink and were also used to carry water to their crops. The people also worshipped many gods. They had a polythesistic religion.

Education

Nov 19, 1350

Education became an important part of their culture. Once they were in a settled city, the boys were able to recieve an education. However it is not an education as we may think. They recieved military or religious training in the temple.

Montezuma

Nov 19, 1500

Montezuma was the most famous kings of the Aztecs. It is said that he was king during the time that Hernan Cortez arrived, but died leaving the empire to another emperor who had to watch the spanish take over their nation.

Hernan Cortes

Nov 19, 1519

Hernan Cortes was a spanish conquistatdor that arrived in the city in 1519. He was searching for new land to take over for the king of Spain. The Aztecs think the Spanish are gods and give them valuable gifts.

Smallpox

Nov 19, 1520

The Aztecs had never encountered Europeans before, therefore they had never experienced European diseases. Because of this their immune systems could not fight off the smallpox disease which the Spanish brought over with them. Smallpox was the Spanishes biggest weapon in destroying the Aztecs

The People

Nov 20, 1520

Before the Spanish took over, the Aztecs were a powerful nation. They had conquered neighboring tribes. It is guessed that the Aztec civilization had about 15 million people. About 300,000 of which lived in Tenochtitlan.

The Fall of the Empire

Nov 19, 1521

The Aztecs were not able to fight against the Spainish. They were weak from the smallpox influenza, but the Spain had advanced weapons and they also had horse, which the Aztecs did not. They were easily able to take over the Aztec empire. However, the Spanish wanted to use to Aztecs as slaves but could not because so many died from smallpox. The Spanish also became allies with some of the Aztecs enemies and used them to gain control.