Mr. Charon's: Notes on the Aztecs

Mr. Charon's: Notes about

**Information for blank spaces will be presented in class**

The Foundation of the Aztec Empire

People called Aztecs=3 tribes
(Mexica, Tepaneca, Acholhuaca)

Mexica -cave dwellers
-settle new land
-considered strange by other tribes
-looking for sign from gods to know sacred land (eagle w/ serpent in mouth on cactus)
-settle on island in Lake Texcoco
-learn to farm from neighboring tribes
-lack of building materials for temples and homes
--hire selves out as mercenaries for the people of Azcapotzalco
---200 yrs - Mexica serve & pay taxes to the people of Azcapotzalco
-Finally go to war w/ p of A, Mexica form an alliance with the Tepaneca & the Acolhuaca to fight the p of A. This union is called the "Triple Alliance"
-These three tribes call themselves the "Aztecs" , named after their ancestral city, Aztlan
-Mexica build capital city, Tenochtitlan on island

20 Days of the Aztec Month

Snake, Lizard, House, Wind, Crocodile, Flower, Rain, Flint, Movement, Vulture,
Eagle, Jaguar, Cane, Herb, Monkey, Hairless Dog, Water, Rabbit, Deer, Skull

Aztec gods & goddesses

Ometecuhlti = Lord of Duality
Omecihuatl = Lady of Duality
Coatlique = She-serpent, mother of the moon goddess & 400 stars
Coyolxauhqui = moon goddess
Huitzilopochtli = god of war & the sun

Tlaloc = god of rain & water
Xipe Totec = god of springtime & the harvest
Quetzalcoatl = god of civilization & learning

The 5 Aztec Suns (Ages)

Name of age
1. Four Jaguar
2. Four Wind
3. Four Rain
4. Four Water
5. Four Movement

End of age
Humans devoured by Jaguars
Hurricanes come, Humans turned into monkeys
Fiery rains come, Humans become dogs, turkeys & butterflies
Great Flood comes, Humans become fish
Earthquakes happen, Humans destroyed by Tzitzimime (celestial demons)

Aztec Warriors

Classes & clothing based on number of captives
Highest classes of Aztec warriors: Eagle (best) & Jaguar (second best)

Sacrificing

Winter Ceremony
All bleed, self-mutilation (Priests)

Spring Ceremony- Xipe Totec
use live captives

connection between captor and captive developed

3-day event

The Spanish Arrive

Cortes-Spanish leader
Montecuhzoma Xocoyotzin (Montezuma) Aztec leader
-Meet Spanish and give them gold, jewels....

Spanish Goals for Conquered Peoples

1. Power
2. Gold and other riches
3. Convert the conquered peoples to Christianity
-Aztec reaction favorable to Christianity, they want to absorb the Christian God into their own culture along with their other gods.
--Spanish try to explain that their is only one god and smash statues of other Aztec gods.

Spanish Bring New Things to the New World

horses, large dogs, guns, cannons & disease

Spanish & Aztecs battle

first battle Aztecs win, Spanish are forced to flee
Spanish regroup with tribes both under and not under Aztec control
-Spanish and other tribes win next battle