Aztecs

The Aztecs were a Mesoamerican civilization that lived in central Mexico from 1300 to 1521. They included many ethnic groups, especially those who spoke the Nahuatl language. The Aztecs lived in city-states, with the most famous being Tenochtitlan, Tetzcoco, and Tlacopan. These three cities formed the Aztec Empire in 1427, which grew powerful through trade and military conquest.

Aztec culture shared many traits with other Mesoamerican societies, such as growing maize and having a complex calendar system. The Mexica people of Tenochtitlan had their own patron god, Huitzilopochtli, and built impressive twin pyramids. Tenochtitlan was founded on islands in Lake Texcoco and became the dominant city in the empire.

The Aztec Empire reached its largest size in 1519, just before Spanish explorers arrived. Led by Hernán Cortés, the Spanish formed alliances with cities that opposed the Aztecs. After a long battle, Tenochtitlan fell in 1521. The Spanish then built Mexico City on the ruins of the Aztec capital and began their rule over the region. Today, we learn about Aztec life from archaeological discoveries and books written after the conquest.

Definitions

The words aztēcatl and aztēcah mean "people from Aztlán," a mythical place where groups in central Mexico began their journeys. The Aztecs did not call themselves "Aztec." Today, the term often means the Mexica people of Tenochtitlan, which is now Mexico City.

Sometimes "Aztec" includes people from allied city-states like Texcoco and Tlacopan, who together formed the Triple Alliance. In a broader sense, "Aztec" can describe many city-states and peoples in central Mexico who shared similar history, culture, and language.

History

Main article: History of the Aztecs

We learn about the Aztecs from many places. Scientists study old buildings to understand Aztec life. We also have old books called codices and writings in Latin script from the Aztecs and Spanish people.

The Aztecs moved to central Mexico from the north. They built the city of Tenochtitlan on an island in Lake Texcoco in 1325. The Aztecs became a strong city and later a big empire through teamwork and winning battles.

The Aztec Empire grew under leaders like Motecuzoma I. Later leaders such as Axayacatl and Ahuitzotl made the empire stronger. The empire faced challenges from other cities and outside groups. The Aztec Empire ended when Spanish conquerors arrived, led by Hernán Cortés, and Tenochtitlan fell in 1521.

See also: Aztec codex and Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire § Sources for the conquest of Mesoamerica

Main article: Aztec Empire

Main article: Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire

The Cuauhtlatoque and Aztec polity post-conquest (1521–1565)

Cuauhtémoc and the deterritorialization of the tlatoque

For more information on the last tlatoani of Tenochtitlan, see Cuauhtémoc

After the Spanish and their indigenous allies' victory over the Triple Alliance, the last leader, Cuauhtémoc, was captured. The Spanish kept his title but he could no longer rule fully. Cuauhtémoc was the last leader with full power.

Cuāuhtlahtoāni (1525–1536)

For more information on the vassal-tlatloque appointed by the Spanish, see Cuauhtlatoani

After Cuauhtémoc was captured, the Spanish chose new leaders to help govern. These leaders were called Cuāuhtlahtoāni, meaning "the one who speaks like eagle" in Náhuatl. They were chosen by the Spanish, so many people did not see them as true leaders.

There were three cuauhtlatoani of Tenochtitlan before real leadership was restored in 1565. These were Tlacotzin, Motelchiuhtzin, and Xochiquentzin.

Restoration of dynastic rulership (1538–1565)

In 1538, normal leadership was restored for Tenochtitlan. This helped make Spanish rule seem more proper. The Mexica nobility helped choose a leader, who was then approved by the Spanish.

During this time, four leaders ruled, with one cuauhtlatoque helping during a change. They were: Huanitzin, Tehuetzquititzin, Omacatzin, and Cecetzin. Cipac was the last, who had some problems with the Spanish before he died young in 1565.

Social and political organization

Main articles: Social class in Aztec society, Aztec society, and Aztec slavery

The Aztec society had two main groups: nobles and commoners. The nobles, called pīpiltin, were a small group. They could wear fine clothes, own land, and hold important jobs. Commoners, known as mācehualtin, were most of the people. They were farmers, warriors, craftspeople, or traders. Some commoners could become nobles by being very brave in battle.

Aztec families kept track of both their father's and mother's relatives. Sons and daughters shared inheritance. Women could own property and had their own money, but they usually took care of the home. Men worked as farmers, traders, or warriors. Marriages among nobles were often used for political reasons. Each city-state, called altepetl, had its own leader known as a tlatoani. These city-states sometimes worked together and sometimes fought, creating many relationships across central Mexico.

Economy

The Aztecs built their economy on farming, especially growing maize. They used special islands called chinampas in the lakes to grow crops like beans, squashes, chilies, and amaranth. These islands were very fertile and could grow food almost all year.

Many Aztecs were also craftspeople. Women wove textiles, and men made pottery, tools from obsidian and flint, and beautiful items like beadwork and featherwork. Trade was very important, with markets in towns and cities. The pochteca were special merchants who traveled far to bring back valuable goods. They also helped run the big market in Tlatelolco. Taxes were another way goods moved around, with towns paying in valuable local products.

Urbanism

Aztec society mixed simple village ways with big city life. Major cities like Teotihuacan had more than 100,000 people. They were important for religion, government, and trade.

The capital of the Aztec empire was Tenochtitlan, where modern-day Mexico City stands. It was built on small islands in Lake Texcoco. The city was laid out in four parts. The center had a sacred area with the Great Temple. The temple had two shrines—one for Tlaloc and one for Huitzilopochtli. Other big Aztec cities were Tenayuca, Azcapotzalco, Texcoco, and Cholula. Each had its own main squares and pyramids.

Main article: Mexico-Tenochtitlan

Religion

Main article: Aztec religion

The Aztecs believed in many powerful gods and natural forces. They thought a sacred energy called teotl connected everything. They worshipped gods for things like rain, the sun, wind, and stars. Priests helped lead ceremonies and used the Aztec calendar to plan important events.

The Aztecs used two main calendars for their religion. These helped them plan ceremonies and understand time. Their practices included storytelling, dancing, and rituals to honor the gods and keep the world balanced.

Main article: List of Aztec gods and supernatural beings

Main article: Aztec mythology

Main article: Aztec calendar

Art and cultural production

The Aztecs loved art very much. They enjoyed many kinds of art, including writing, painting, singing, poetry, carving, making mosaics, crafting fine ceramics, creating beautiful featherwork, and working with metals like copper and gold. Artists were respected and called tolteca.

The Aztecs had a special way of writing that used symbols and signs to tell stories and show names. They also loved music and poetry, which were part of many festivals. Poems often used clever wordplay and metaphors. Women as well as men were poets.

Aztec potters made many kinds of ceramics for everyday use and for special occasions. They painted designs on the pottery in black, red, orange, and other colors. Some of the most beautiful pieces came from the Cholula region.

Painters created art on animal skins, cotton cloth, and special bark paper. They also painted on walls and made pictures on wooden and stone surfaces. Many of these paintings have been found in temples and other important places.

Sculptors carved beautiful stone and wood pieces, though not many wooden works survive today. Some of the most famous stone sculptures include the Aztec Sunstone and statues of gods and rulers.

One of the most special kinds of Aztec art was featherwork. Skilled artists called amanteca made beautiful objects from tiny pieces of feathers, including shields, cloaks, and decorations for warriors. They used feathers from many birds, including rare quetzal feathers traded from faraway places.

Colonial period, 1521–1821

Main article: Nahuas § Colonial Period

Further information: Society in the Spanish Colonial Americas

After the Aztec capital, Tenochtitlan, fell, the city was rebuilt as Mexico City, replacing the old buildings. Aztec warriors sometimes helped the Spanish, spreading parts of their culture and language. The Aztec ruling family still had some influence, but they were controlled by the Spanish.

The number of indigenous people dropped quickly after Europeans arrived, mainly because of diseases like smallpox that they had never seen before. Estimates of the population before Europeans came vary, but many agree that many people were lost during this time.

Even after the Aztec empire ended, many social structures continued under Spanish rule. The Spanish made a separate system for indigenous peoples, letting some local leaders keep their jobs if they followed Spanish rules. This helped keep many traditional ways of governing, even as new rules and settlements were added by the Spanish.

Legacy

Aztec archaeological sites are open to visitors, and their artifacts are shown in museums. Words and place names from the Aztec language, Nahuatl, are used in everyday Mexican life. Aztec symbols and stories are important to Mexico’s national identity.

After Mexico became independent from Spain, the Aztec past helped create a new national identity. The Aztec eagle on a nopal cactus became a key symbol. It appears on Mexico’s flag and coat of arms. This symbol connects the nation to its ancient history, mixing European and American influences.