Chapter 16.3: The Aztecs Control Central Mexico
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Through alliances and conquest, the Aztecs created a powerful empire in Mexico…this time
period saw the origins of one of the 20th century’s most populous cities, Mexico City
The Valley of Mexico
Valley of Mexico, mountain basin 7,000 feet above sea level, home base of several powerful
cultures
Teotihuacan and Toltecs
Teotihuacan: An Early City-State
First major civilization of central Mexico was Teotihuacan
o At peak in 6th century- Teotihuacan had as many as 125,000 people…one of largest cities
in the world at the time
 Heart of city was giant Pyramid of the Sun
 200-foot-tall pyramid was larger at its base than Egypt’s Great Pyramid
 Most valuable trade item was obsidian: hard glassy green, or black rock
 City abruptly declined, 750 virtually abandoned
 Named later, Teotihuacan= “City of the Gods”
Toltecs Take Over
After fall of Teotihuacan, no single dominated central Mexico for decades
Around 900, the Toltecs
o Ruled over the heart of Mexico
o Capital at Tula
o Built pyramids and temples
o Carved tall pillars in the shape of armed warriors
o Extremely warlike people who empire was based on conquest
o Worshipped fierce war god who demanded blood and human sacrifice
o Quetzalcoatl= Feathered Serpent god who magically merged with Topilzin
 Exiled from Tula
 Promised to return one day, bringing a new reign of light and peace (year 1
Reed on the calendar)
Aztecs Build an Empire
Aztecs arrived in the Valley of Mexico around AD 1200
Aztecs, called Mexica, were poor, nomadic people from the harsh deserts of northern Mexico
o Originally worked as mercenaries, or soldiers for hire to local rulers
Huitzilopochtli, Aztec sun god, told them to found a city of their own, where an eagle perched
on a cactus, holding a snake in its mouth
Settled on the small island in Lake Texcoco in center of Valley of Mexico
o 1325 city of Tenochtitlan was founded
Aztecs Grow Stronger
Gradually increased in strength and number
1428- formed Triple Alliance with Texcoco and Tlacopan
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o Soon gained control over neighboring regions
Empire divided into 38 provinces…population between 5 and 15 million people
Aztecs based their power on military conquest and tribute
Tribute: gold, maize, cacao beans, cotton, jade, etc.
o Brutal response to any resistance
Nobles Rule Aztec Society
Emperor at the top with absolute power
Height of Aztec Empire, military leaders held great power in Aztec society, along with
government officials and priests= noble class
o Owned vast estates
Commoners: merchants, artisans, soldiers, and farmers
Slaves: captives who performed many different jobs
Trade Brings Wealth
Aztecs controlled an extensive trade network
Capital city of Tenochtitlan was a trading hub…market of Tlatelolco
Chinampas: “floating gardens”- woven base with dirt, plant seeds, eventually the roots grow
down and anchor in the marsh
Tenochtitlan: A Planned City
Early 1500’s, extraordinary urban center
Estimated population of 200,000
Causeways build over the water and marshland
Palaces, temples, markets and residential districts were connected by streets and avenues
Canals divided the city
Great Temple in center
Religion, the Center of Aztec Life
Religion played a major role in Aztec society
Aztecs adopted many of their temples and religious structures dedicated to the gods
o Elaborate public ceremonies
Sacrifices for the Sun God
Sun god= Huitzilopochtli
o Believed to make the sun rise every day, but only when he was nourished by human
blood
 Without regular offerings of blood, sun would fall from the sky and all life would
perish
o Aztec priests carried out human sacrifice on a massive scale
 Usually prisoners of war
 Hearts carved out using obsidian knives
Priests required a steady supply of war captives
o Often prisoners of war
o Flower Wars
Problems in the Aztec Empire
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1502- Emperor Montezuma II
Aztec Empire began to weaken
Montezuma II called for even more tribute and sacrifice
o Resentment, rebellion
Montezuma froze and reduced the number of government officials
Arrival of Spanish
o Return of Quetzalcoatl?
o Hernando Cortes