My first blog posting THE AZTECS AND THEIR AWESOME ACCOMPLISHMENTS received so much positive feedback, I decided to share more of the Aztec culture and history in a second posting. This posting highlights what I think are interesting facts about the origin, the rulers, the conquests, the religion, as well as the rise and fall of their empire. So let's revisit the Aztecs!
Mesoamerica is a term used to describe the region roughly corresponding to modern day Mexico and Central America which was inhabited by various societies before Spanish colonization following the discovery by Christopher Columbus of the "New World."
Included in that new world was the Aztec Empire which was a triple alliance between the city states of Tenochtitlan, Texcoco, and Tlacopan which dominated most of central Mexico as well as other territories in Mesoamerica from the early 14th century until the Spanish conquest in 1521.
The term Aztec is usually used to refer to the Nahuatl-speaking people of central Mexico. But more specifically it describes the Mexica people who built Tenochtitlan, the capital city of the Aztec Empire, and the inhabitants of its allies, the Acolhuas of Texcoco and the Tepanecs of Tlacopan.
Mexico City was built on the ruins of Tenochtitlan. A majority of modern day Mexicans are mestizos a term used to describe a person of combined European and indigenous descent. The Nahuatl language is still spoken by around 1.7 million people mostly in the mountainous regions of Mexico.
The following ten Aztec "facts" I find especially interesting:
#1 THEY WERE BANISHED TO AN ISLAND AFTER THEY SACRIFICED THE DAUGHTER OF A KING
The Mexica people were the last of Aztlan migrants to arrive in the Valley of Mexico around the year 1250 AD. The king of the city-state Colhuacan allowed them to settle in a place called Chapultepec. He later wanted to marry one of his daughters to a Mexica and appoint her to rule over their tribe.
A modern day Aztec princess.
The Mexica however sacrificed her to their patron god Huitzilopitchli. Enraged, the king drove them out of his region. They were forced into an island in Lake Texcoco, a swampy region which no one had yet inhabited due to its difficult geography.
There the Mexica people saw an eagle nested on a nopal cactus which they interpreted as a sign from their god to build their city on that location. They called the city Tenochtitlan and this vision is the inspiration for today's Mexican national flag as seen below.
#2 THEY BUILD THE AMAZING CITY OF TENOCHTITLAN ON ONE OF THE MOST DIFFICULT OF TERRAINS
Painting of Tenochtitlan as painted by the Mexican muralist DIEGO RIVERA
When the Aztecs founded the city of Tenochtitlan it was a small swampy island in Lake Texcoco in the Valley of Mexico. They faced many challenges such as creating strong foundations for their buildings, bringing clean water to the city, connecting their city to the mainland, protecting it against floods, and producing food for its rising population.
Despite these challenges the Aztecs build one of the greatest cities of the time. At its peak, Tenochtitlan was the largest city in the Pre-Columbian Americas. It covered an estimated area of 4 l/2 square miles and had an estimated population between 200,000 and 300,000 which was twice the population of London or Rome at the time.
When the Spanish arrived at Tenochtitlan they were so mesmerized by its streets, causeways, canals, aqueducts, marketplaces, palaces, and temples that they doubted whether it was real or whether it was just a hallucination.
A view of the pyramids today which were built by the Aztecs and which are visited by throngs of modern day people.
#3 THE AZTECS BUILT ONE OF THE LARGEST AND MOST POWERFUL EMPIRES IN MESOAMERICA
The Mexica founded the city of Tenochtitlan in 1325 AD. Initially it allied with and paid tribute to Azcapotzalco, the capital city of the Tepanec empire. In 1426 the Azcapotzalco king, however, arranged the assassination of the Mexica ruler. The following year Tenochtitlan allied with the city-states of Texcoco, Tlacopan, and Huexotzinco to wage war against Azcapotzalco. This alliance was to become known as the TRIPLE ALLIANCE.
At its height the Triple Alliance controlled most of central Mexico as well as other territories. It covered 80,000 square miles and contained 25 million people in almost 500 towns and cities. It was one of the largest and most powerful empires in the history of Mesoamerica.
#4 THE AZTEC EMPIRE WAS AN INFORMAL EMPIRE WHICH RULED BY INDIRECT MEANS
Unlike European empires, the Aztec Empire ruled by indirect means and it did not claim supreme authority over the tributary provinces. The Aztecs left the local rulers of the conquered city states in power as long as they agreed to pay semi-annual tribute and supplied military forces to wage war when needed by the empire. There were two types of provinces in the empire: strategic provinces which aided the Aztec state with mutual consent and tributary provinces in which the obligations were mandatory rather than consensual.
Page from Codex Mendoza which shows the tributes the towns were required to pay to the Aztec empire.
#5 THE AZTEC EMPEROR WAS KNOWN AS THE HUEY TLATOANI OR "THE ONE WHO SPEAKS"
Image of a Huey Tlatoani, the Mexica ruler of the Aztec Empire, who governed from Tenochtitlan.
A ruler in the Aztec empire was called Tlatoani or “the one who speaks." The city-states of the Aztec empire each had their own Tlatoani. The Mexica ruler of the Aztec Empire who governed from Tenochtitlan was called Huey Tlatoani, the great speaker. The management of tribute, war, diplomacy, and expansion were all under the purview of the Huey Tlatoani. This was one powerful Aztec dude!
Image of Cihuacoatl or “female twin” who governed the city of Tenochtitlan.
While Huey Tlatoani was the ultimate authority and leader of the state there was also a ruler called Cihuacoatl (“female twin”) whose primary role was to govern the city of Tenochtitlan. The Cihuacoatl was always a close relative of the Huey Tlatoani. The Aztec ruler shared his heavy job load with a woman which I find very interesting.
An image of a modern day female Aztec celebrating her heritage.
#6 PERHAPS THE GREATEST AZTEC EMPEROR WAS AHUITZOTL
There were a total of eleven Huey Tlatoanis during the 145 year reign of the Aztec Empire. Acamapichtli founded the Aztec imperial dynasty in 1375. Their fourth emperor Itzcoatl (r.1428-1440) defeated the Tepanec empire and laid the foundation of the Aztec's Triple Alliance.
The Aztec Empire expanded rapidly under the leadership of their eighth ruler Ahuitzotl (r.1486-1502) who is considered by many as the greatest military leader of Mesoamerica. His conquests opened up routes to the coastal areas leading to expansion of trade and prosperity and he also oversaw many construction projects.
Depiction of Ahuitzotl and his Aztec Empire which was a golden era for the empire.
Ahuitzotl was succeeded by Moctezuma I (r.1440-1469) who consolidated the empire and organized the construction of the famous double aqueduct which supplied Tenochtitlan with fresh water.
A depiction of Moctezuma I and his gang of Aztec amigos.
#7 THE SPANISH WERE INITIALLY WELCOMED BY THE AZTEC EMPEROR MOCTEZUMA II
Moctezuma II was a very handsome dude in my opinion if this rendering is anything like his real appearance.
Hernan Cortes, the Spanish conquistador, arrived at Yucatan in present day Mexico in early 1519. He led a contingent of 11 ships carrying around 630 men. He used the strategy of pitting native people against each other to conquer the region. After defeating the Tlaxacan and Cholula warriors by allying with other natives he reached Tenochtitlan (modern day Mexico City) on November 8, 1519.
The Aztec king of Tenochtitlan, Moctezuma II, welcomed Cortes and allowed him to stay in his city. After about six weeks, however, Cortes used an incident in which two Spaniards were killed as a pretext to take Moctezuma hostage. Cortes then ruled the city indirectly for several months.
Image of Hernan Cortes.
On May 20, 1520 the Spaniards under Pedro de Alvarado attacked unarmed Aztec nobles congregated at the Festival of Toxcatl, one of the most important festivals on the native religious calendar, and slaughtered thousands including much of the leadership of Tenochtitlan. This led to a revolt in Tenochtitlan in which Moctezuma II was killed and Hernan Cortes, the Spanish conquistador, and his men were forced to leave the city.
Portrayal of La Malinche in a mural by famous Mexican artist Diego Rivera.
In April 1519 the Spanish defeated the natives of the Chontal Maya of Potonchan who in turn gave them twenty slave women among whom was a woman named La Malinche. She spoke two native languages, Mayan and Nahuatl. She soon learned Spanish and served as a translator for Cortes. Later, she became a mistress to Cortes and gave birth to his first son, Martin.
La Malinche played a critical role in the Spanish conquest of the Aztec civilization. Apart from serving as an adviser and interpreter of Cortes, she played an important role in diplomacy helping the Spanish ally with the native tribes. Among other things, she warned Cortes of a native plan to destroy his small army leading to slaughter of the plotting tribe.
A portrayal of Malinche, the all important interpreter, with Moctezuma and Cortes.
One source even says that Cortes himself said that after God, Malinche was the main reason for his success. Because of her the term “malinchist” applies to all those who feel an attraction to foreign cultures and disregard for their own national culture and has a very negative connotation even in contemporary Mexico.
Today La Malinche is seen by some as a woman caught in between two cultures and a mother of a new race while others regard her as a traitor who brought the end of her own civilization.
When the Aztecs founded the city of Tenochtitlan it was a small swampy island in Lake Texcoco in the Valley of Mexico. They faced many challenges such as creating strong foundations for their buildings, bringing clean water to the city, connecting their city to the mainland, protecting it against floods, and producing food for its rising population.
Despite these challenges the Aztecs build one of the greatest cities of the time. At its peak, Tenochtitlan was the largest city in the Pre-Columbian Americas. It covered an estimated area of 4 l/2 square miles and had an estimated population between 200,000 and 300,000 which was twice the population of London or Rome at the time.
When the Spanish arrived at Tenochtitlan they were so mesmerized by its streets, causeways, canals, aqueducts, marketplaces, palaces, and temples that they doubted whether it was real or whether it was just a hallucination.
#3 THE AZTECS BUILT ONE OF THE LARGEST AND MOST POWERFUL EMPIRES IN MESOAMERICA
The Mexica founded the city of Tenochtitlan in 1325 AD. Initially it allied with and paid tribute to Azcapotzalco, the capital city of the Tepanec empire. In 1426 the Azcapotzalco king, however, arranged the assassination of the Mexica ruler. The following year Tenochtitlan allied with the city-states of Texcoco, Tlacopan, and Huexotzinco to wage war against Azcapotzalco. This alliance was to become known as the TRIPLE ALLIANCE.
At its height the Triple Alliance controlled most of central Mexico as well as other territories. It covered 80,000 square miles and contained 25 million people in almost 500 towns and cities. It was one of the largest and most powerful empires in the history of Mesoamerica.
#4 THE AZTEC EMPIRE WAS AN INFORMAL EMPIRE WHICH RULED BY INDIRECT MEANS
#5 THE AZTEC EMPEROR WAS KNOWN AS THE HUEY TLATOANI OR "THE ONE WHO SPEAKS"
A ruler in the Aztec empire was called Tlatoani or “the one who speaks." The city-states of the Aztec empire each had their own Tlatoani. The Mexica ruler of the Aztec Empire who governed from Tenochtitlan was called Huey Tlatoani, the great speaker. The management of tribute, war, diplomacy, and expansion were all under the purview of the Huey Tlatoani. This was one powerful Aztec dude!
While Huey Tlatoani was the ultimate authority and leader of the state there was also a ruler called Cihuacoatl (“female twin”) whose primary role was to govern the city of Tenochtitlan. The Cihuacoatl was always a close relative of the Huey Tlatoani. The Aztec ruler shared his heavy job load with a woman which I find very interesting.
#6 PERHAPS THE GREATEST AZTEC EMPEROR WAS AHUITZOTL
Image of Ahuitzotl who many consider the greatest military leader of Mesoamerica.
The Aztec Empire expanded rapidly under the leadership of their eighth ruler Ahuitzotl (r.1486-1502) who is considered by many as the greatest military leader of Mesoamerica. His conquests opened up routes to the coastal areas leading to expansion of trade and prosperity and he also oversaw many construction projects.
Depiction of Ahuitzotl and his Aztec Empire which was a golden era for the empire.
Ahuitzotl was succeeded by Moctezuma I (r.1440-1469) who consolidated the empire and organized the construction of the famous double aqueduct which supplied Tenochtitlan with fresh water.
#7 THE SPANISH WERE INITIALLY WELCOMED BY THE AZTEC EMPEROR MOCTEZUMA II
Hernan Cortes, the Spanish conquistador, arrived at Yucatan in present day Mexico in early 1519. He led a contingent of 11 ships carrying around 630 men. He used the strategy of pitting native people against each other to conquer the region. After defeating the Tlaxacan and Cholula warriors by allying with other natives he reached Tenochtitlan (modern day Mexico City) on November 8, 1519.
The Aztec king of Tenochtitlan, Moctezuma II, welcomed Cortes and allowed him to stay in his city. After about six weeks, however, Cortes used an incident in which two Spaniards were killed as a pretext to take Moctezuma hostage. Cortes then ruled the city indirectly for several months.
On May 20, 1520 the Spaniards under Pedro de Alvarado attacked unarmed Aztec nobles congregated at the Festival of Toxcatl, one of the most important festivals on the native religious calendar, and slaughtered thousands including much of the leadership of Tenochtitlan. This led to a revolt in Tenochtitlan in which Moctezuma II was killed and Hernan Cortes, the Spanish conquistador, and his men were forced to leave the city.
#8 MOST OF THE AZTEC POPULATION WAS WIPED OUT BY DISEASE FOLLOWING THE SPANISH CONQUEST
After the revolt in Tenochtitlan, a smallpox outbreak hit the city killing more than 50% of the region’s population. After allying with or defeating the cities under Aztec control, Cortes began a siege of Tenochtitlan a year later. In May 1591 he attacked the city with 600 Spaniards and more than 50,000 warriors of native tribes. After a hard fought battle, Tenochtitlan fell on August 13, 1521 with its emperor Cuauhtemoc being captured.
Subsequently, the Valley of Mexico was hit with two more epidemics, smallpox (1545–1548) and typhus (1576–1581), which wiped out more than 80% of the indigenous population of the region.
Mexico City was built on the ruins of Tenochtitlan. A majority of modern day Mexicans are mestizos, a term used to describe a person of combined European and indigenous descent. The Nahuatl language is still spoken by around 1.5 million people, mostly in the mountainous regions of Mexico.
Subsequently, the Valley of Mexico was hit with two more epidemics, smallpox (1545–1548) and typhus (1576–1581), which wiped out more than 80% of the indigenous population of the region.
Mexico City was built on the ruins of Tenochtitlan. A majority of modern day Mexicans are mestizos, a term used to describe a person of combined European and indigenous descent. The Nahuatl language is still spoken by around 1.5 million people, mostly in the mountainous regions of Mexico.
#9 CORTES WAS AIDED IN DEFEATING THE AZTECS BY A NATIVE WOMAN NAMED LA MALINCHE
In April 1519 the Spanish defeated the natives of the Chontal Maya of Potonchan who in turn gave them twenty slave women among whom was a woman named La Malinche. She spoke two native languages, Mayan and Nahuatl. She soon learned Spanish and served as a translator for Cortes. Later, she became a mistress to Cortes and gave birth to his first son, Martin.
La Malinche played a critical role in the Spanish conquest of the Aztec civilization. Apart from serving as an adviser and interpreter of Cortes, she played an important role in diplomacy helping the Spanish ally with the native tribes. Among other things, she warned Cortes of a native plan to destroy his small army leading to slaughter of the plotting tribe.
One source even says that Cortes himself said that after God, Malinche was the main reason for his success. Because of her the term “malinchist” applies to all those who feel an attraction to foreign cultures and disregard for their own national culture and has a very negative connotation even in contemporary Mexico.
Today La Malinche is seen by some as a woman caught in between two cultures and a mother of a new race while others regard her as a traitor who brought the end of her own civilization.
#10 AZTEC RELIGION WAS POLYTHEISTIC AND THEY ADOPTED GODS FROM OTHER CULTURES
The Aztec religion was polytheistic and involved a large and ever increasing pantheon of gods and goddesses. The Aztecs often adopted gods from different cultures and allowed them to be worshiped as part of their pantheon. The most important celestial entities in Aztec religion were the Sun, the Moon, and the planet Venus.
Religion was a large part of Aztec culture with all levels of Aztec society having their own rituals and deities. The word for priest in Nahuatl was tlamacazqui which meant “giver of things.” His main duty was to make sure that the gods were given their due in the form of offerings, ceremonies and sacrifices. The following are some of the vast number of Aztec gods which I find particularly interesting and which I plan to share in another future blog posting.
The patron god of the Mexica tribe of Tenochtitlan was Huitzilopitchli, the sun God who represented war and sacrifice.
Tlaloc, the supreme god of rain, of earthly fertility, and of water.
Quetzalcoatl (the feathered serpent) god who was associated with learning and
wisdom.
Thank you for joining me on this brief introduction to the history and culture of the Aztec. I have enjoyed learning more about this amazing culture and I hope you have also. As you have probably realized by now, the Aztec fascinate me and I guarantee that we are not yet finished with this people. Until then, wishing you well wherever your adventuress and travels take you. Saludos, Laura
Trying on a replica of the headdress of Moctezuma II in Mexico City.
And a final thank you wearing my Aztec sun stone shirt.
The Aztec religion was polytheistic and involved a large and ever increasing pantheon of gods and goddesses. The Aztecs often adopted gods from different cultures and allowed them to be worshiped as part of their pantheon. The most important celestial entities in Aztec religion were the Sun, the Moon, and the planet Venus.
Religion was a large part of Aztec culture with all levels of Aztec society having their own rituals and deities. The word for priest in Nahuatl was tlamacazqui which meant “giver of things.” His main duty was to make sure that the gods were given their due in the form of offerings, ceremonies and sacrifices. The following are some of the vast number of Aztec gods which I find particularly interesting and which I plan to share in another future blog posting.
Tlaloc, the supreme god of rain, of earthly fertility, and of water.
Quetzalcoatl (the feathered serpent) god who was associated with learning and
wisdom.
Thank you for joining me on this brief introduction to the history and culture of the Aztec. I have enjoyed learning more about this amazing culture and I hope you have also. As you have probably realized by now, the Aztec fascinate me and I guarantee that we are not yet finished with this people. Until then, wishing you well wherever your adventuress and travels take you. Saludos, Laura
Gracias hermana, especially for the initial map showing the geography and timeframes of each civilization. That establishes a solid base for then delving into the specifics thereafter. A very significant and educational post, bravo! Guillermo y Katrina
ReplyDeleteMuchas gracias, hermano! I bacame more than somewhat obsessed with the Aztecs and couldn't resist sharing this culture for a second blog posting. With my gratitute, Laura
ReplyDeleteI blog frequently and I seriously thank you for your content.
ReplyDeleteThis article has really peaked my interest.
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once per week. I subscribed to your RSS feed as well.
Many thanks Anonymous. I sincerely appreciate your comments and look forward to hearing from you in the future.
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