7 Characteristics of the Aztecs

In those 200 years developed a culture that influenced many of the cultures of the What’s the point? Unfortunately, this town saw its end with Hernán Cortés, in the 1521 with the conquest of Mexico.

Who were the Aztecs?

Known as Triple Alliance, Aztec Empire, Mexica Empire or Tenochca Empire, was a culture that achieved political, economic and territorial control of great part of Central America in the Late Postclassic period.

His domains were governed by three specific places: Texcoco, Tlacopan and Mexico-Tenochtitlan.

Its foundation and expansion began with the defeat of Azcapotzalco, the capital of the Tepaneca empire, which dominated the Valley of Mexico. This defeat was made possible by the alliance between Mexicans and acolhuas. From that moment on, the Aztecs invaded much of Mexico and Guatemala.

This one. great empire saw its end on August 19, 1521, when the Spaniards led by Hernán Cortés and in alliance with two other villages The Totonacas and Tlaxcaltecas defeated the Mexicans in Tenochtitlan.

Don’t believe it, the word Aztec. It was never used by the Mexicans. It is only used today to refer to the empire of the Triple Alliance, to those who spoke Nahuatl before the conquest of Spanish and the Mexicans who speak this language. The term is The place of origin of this town translates as the people of Aztlán.

Features

Aztecs or Mexicans present the the following characteristics:

1. As soon as they settled, Aztecs dominated southern and central Mexico and took advantage of the tropical climate for your benefit.
2. They had strong beliefs. Religious, its main city: Tenochtitlán, had as its central axis an altar And it was ruled by the Tlatoani.
3. They were organized in castes, the main ones were those of the noble military and the priests, The plebeians followed and finally the slaves.
4. Education was compulsory until he was 14 and followed by a second stage, which had a branch and one based on theology, writing, leadership and astronomy.
5. Families were organized in calpullí, a group of different lineages related by a Common ancestor. They shared economic activities.
6. They were polytheists and very believers, his best-known god was Quetzalcóatl, a feathered snake that It demanded human sacrifices.
7. They were very good astronomers.
8. They had a monarchy by government. – Authoritarian.
9. They paid tribute to the Conquered populations, practiced trade and agriculture.
10. His official language was known as Nahuatl.
11. It was one of the first cultures to found compulsory schools, even for women.

Among the deepest features We can mention you from this town:

History and geography

The origin of the Aztec people begins with a military alliance or coalition known as the Triple Alliance, in which three powerful peoples united: the Mexicans, whose capital was Mexico-Tenochtitlan; the Acolhua whose capital was Texcoco and the Tlacopan, a town that dominated the valley of Mexico.

Thank you. to their development and cunning, the Aztecs dominated the entire territory located between the coasts of the Pacific Ocean and those of the Gulf of Mexico.

They got great wealth because of their Tributes and Tenochtitlan became the biggest city of That time.

His official language was the Nahuatl, which became the language of almost all of Mesoamerica and replaced languages – Ancients.

Because of the union of peoples, many Stories and traditions converged, forming syncretic traditions and myths.

Location of the Aztec Empire

The Aztecs settled in the center of the Valley of Mexico and expand their control in different city-states located in Veracruz, City Mexico, State of Hidalgo, Puebla, Guerrero, Oaxaca, the coast of Chiapas and part of Guatemala.

The climate in which they lived was diverse, In some areas they lived on the high mountain with polar colds and others lived in warm climates. Conifer forests, rainforests, forests Decidifolios, rocky deserts, mangroves and tropical forest.

Origin

In a beginning the Mexicans were a nomadic tribe who, over time, developed impressive technologies and in just 200 years They formed a great empire. In its beginnings In the 13th century they lived in Chapultepec, in this place they were expelled for enemies, fled and settled in Tenochtitlan in 1325.

This was the main city of the empire and came to form alliances with the Texcoco (acolhuas) and Tlacopan (thepanecas), leading to the Triple Alliance and forming a large army. For the time Moctezuma II came to power, already the Aztecs were already the main empire of the area, with large territories, incredible riches and millions of subjects.

According to a historical document known as The Pilgrimage Strip, the mexicas come from a place called Aztlan, It is unknown whether it was real or not, but many place it outside the borders Mesoamericans.

Government

It was a theocracy dominated by a Huey Tlatoani, the ultimate ruler. This was elected by a council of twenty groups They are made up of representatives of the clans that made up the city.

If the Tlatoani was to make a decision Important, as a declaration of war, he argued with his advisers. One of the the most valuable and important advisers was the Cihuacóatl, who also It was in the absence.

In the lower government they were officials, judges who monitored law enforcement and those They were watching the armory.

Political organization

The political organization of the Mexicans was made up of the following charges:

Emperor or Huey Tlatoani: he was the monarch, he was authority over the army, religion, the economy and society.

Council supreme or Tlatocán: they were the Mexican bureaucrats and They could make decisions if they were supported by the Tlatoani.

Chief of priests or Cihuacóatl: I was the lieutenant If he were to be lacking, he covered his duties.

Tlacochcálcatl: they were the heads of the army.

Huitzncahuatlailótlalalac and Tizociahuácarl: They were the chief judges, They were responsible for ensuring justice.

Governors or Tlatoque – who has the right to speak/send: they ruled and controlled the Cities, they belonged to the upper class.

Prosecutors Taxes or Tecuhtli: they were the ones They were responsible for monitoring and governing the provinces conquered and should tribute to the Mexicans.

Calpullec: He was the head of the calpulli, a kind of clan or group of people related by a common ancestor.