The Aztec Religion
By: Lauren Maggipinto & Jennifer DiPaula
ANCIENT AZTEC HISTORY
Empire dates back to 15th century
 Descendants of the Toltecs of Tula
 Huitzilopochtli persuaded them to build their own
city
 First city was called Tenochtitlan
 Lived in isolation
 Established relations with the outside world
 Electing a prince helped create alliances (The
Triple Alliance)

HISTORY CONTINUED
Moctezuma I – “Father of the Aztec Empire”
 Calendar and Festivals
 Moctezuma II vs. Hernan Cortes and the
Spaniards
 Destruction of the Aztec Empire and The Triple
Alliance
 Mandatory Christian Conversion
 “Indians” and increased ruling class

AZTEC CALENDAR

There is not just one Aztec calendar, there are two more or less
independent systems. One calendar, called the xiuhpohualli,
has 365 days. It describes the days and rituals related to the
seasons, and might be called the agricultural year or the solar
year. The other calendar has 260 days. In Nahuatl, the
language of the Aztecs, it is called the tonalpohualli or, the daycount.
RELIGIOUS BELIEFS
Their religion was based on fear of nature and
fear of the end of the world
 Aztecs believed it took five tries to create the
world
 A display of sacrifice was then brought into
their religion
 Human and god sacrifices
 Cannibalism

AZTEC FESTIVAL
200-300 important festivals per year
 Xocotl

GODS AND GODDESSES
Huitzilopochtli- sun god, and god of war
 Centeotl- god of corn
 Chalchaiuhtlicue- goddess of lakes and
streams
 Omacatl- god of feasting, holidays and
happiness
 Tlaloc- god of rain and fertility

SIMILARITIES BETWEEN AZTEC RELIGION AND
CHRISTIANITY
Aztec’s had a system of laws; Christians have
the 10 Commandments
 Both place an emphasize religious education

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN AZTEC RELIGION AND
CHRISTIANITY
Aztecs worshipped several gods; Christians
worship one God
 Aztecs promote human sacrifice; Christians
condone sacrifices


Aztecs believe in
slavery and divorce, which are against Christian
beliefs
AZTECS TODAY
Indigenous culture fell to pieces
 Affected by sacrifice and disease decreased
population
 Enlightenment
 Industrialization and difficulties living in natural
habitat
