AZTECS

They was located on a small island west of Texcoco Lake. The Aztec domain occupied most of central and southern part of the current Mexico, stretching from the west of Toluca Valley, encompassing almost all the states of Veracruz, Puebla, in the center, Hidalgo, Mexico and Morelos, in the south, much of the states of Guerrero and Oaxaca, and Chiapas Coast to the border with Guatemala. However, were outside its domain Meztitlán manors (in Hidalgo), Teotitlan and Tututepec (in Oaxaca), Purepecha (in Michoacan), Yopitzingo (Guerrero) and Tlaxcala.

Location

Their principal place was the capital, Tenochtitlan.

The Aztec culture is known for being good at administration.

Their social organization was a pyramidal stratification. At the top of this pyramid were the Nobles and Priests. After these, were the merchants and warriors. Finally, at the base of the pyramid, the tenants and then the slaves.

The Aztec economy was based on the cultivation of the land, that is to say, agriculture.

The main crops practiced by the Aztecs were corn, fruit, snuff and chilies.

Main features

The Aztecs spoke a language called Nahuatl.Writing mixed pictograms, ideograms and

phonetic signs. In their writings reflected their own history, geography, economics, religion, etc.

The emperor called tlatoani had unlimited power, which covered all things and all people.

Religion Veneration of

Huitzilopochtli, the personification of the sun and of war, was central to the religious, social and political practices of the aztecs. Huitzilopochtli attained this central position after the founding of Tenochtitlan and the formation of the aztec city-state society in the 14th century.

Tezcatlipoca, god of the gods

Tlaloc, rain god

Xiuhtecuhtli, god of fire

Tezcatlipoca, lord of heaven and earth

Quetzalcóatl

The Aztec art includes artistic expression of the Mexica, among which are literature, music, architecture, sculpture, visual arts and dance.

Aztec art

Aztec feather headdress, often described as the crown of Moctezuma

Eagle warrior sculpture. Museo del Templo Mayor, Mexico City

Ahuitzotl shield