ANCIENT AZTEC

Unit 1 Religion
By Henry Dwyer
Introduction:
The Aztecs, who probably originated as a
nomadic tribe in northern Mexico, arrived in
Mesoamerica around the beginning of the 13th
century. The Aztecs were an ancient civilization
located within central Mexico, during the years
1300-1521. They predominately spoke the native
language ‘Nahuatl’ (Nahuatl is a scion of the
language Latin). By the fifteenth century, the
Aztecs had taken control of many of the city
states in the region thanks to their complex
system of social, political, religious, and
commercial organization. They had become the
dominating force in central Mexico. There great
native civilization came to an end in 1521 when
invaders headed by the Spanish adventurer
Hernán Cortés forcibly made the Aztec Empire
collapse by taking it over.
PART A: Culture and
Spirituality
The religion of the ancient Aztecs was fundamental to their civilization
and had a profound spiritual impact on all facets of life. They revered an
enormous pantheon of deities, each of whom was in charge of certain
aspects of the universe. Possibly the most venerated was
Huitzilopochtli, the god of the sun and war, who demanded human
sacrifices to preserve cosmic order and guarantee that the sun would
rise every day. Because he managed the rain that crops need, Tlaloc,
the rain god, was essential to agriculture. The feathered snake
Quetzalcoatl symbolized the more benign facets of the god and stood
for wind, wisdom, and creation. The god of magic and darkness,
Tezcatlipoca, stood for instability and change. The Aztecs held that their
civilization's success and longevity depended on keeping the gods in
balance through ceremonies and offerings.

RELIGION/ GODS/THE ROLE OF

SPIRITUALITY
The central role of sacred myths and legends in Aztec civilization was to
explain natural phenomena and direct religious rituals. The tale of the Five
Suns, which describes the birth and demise of four earlier worlds ruled by
various gods, is among the most significant mythologies. Huitzilopochtli, the
sun god, rules the current world, known as the Fifth Sun, which depends on
human sacrifices to survive. Quetzalcoatl, the feathered serpent god, is
another well-known tale. He was revered as the creator of humanity and as a
representation of civilization and knowledge. His tale contains a prophecy of
his return that affected Aztec beliefs before he left the Aztec homeland.
Legends also recounted brave acts, such as the Aztec migration myth from
Huitzilopochtli led Aztlán to Tenochtitlan. The Aztec beliefs and ideals were
reinforced by these stories, which were recited during ceremonies, portrayed
in art, and passed down through the generations. By connecting the Aztecs
to their gods and the cosmos, they gave them a feeling of cultural identity,
moral lessons, and an explanation of the world around them.

SACRED STORIES/ MYTHS

It is impossible to overlook the significance of
religious rituals in Aztec sites of worship. The Aztecs
erected pyramid shaped temples, in honor of many
gods. The most significant of these was the Temple
Mayor, located in the capital city of Tenochtitlan. At
the top of the enormous temple stood two shrines
one honoring the water or rain god and fertility
goddess Tlaloc, and the other to the battle god and
sun god Huitzilopochtli. They utilized these
structures for sacred rituals like offerings and
sacrifices, which they felt were essential to keeping
their gods pleased and hence happy. In cities, there
were often smaller shrines and temples adjacent to
homes.

PLACES OF WORSHIP
PART B: SOCIETY AND
ETHICS
 Three pillars of Aztec ethics were
community, wisdom, and respect.
They cherished tlamatiliztli, or
wisdom, emphasizing life balance
and study. From an early age,
young Aztecs were taught moral
precepts and societal roles, and
respect for elders, authority, and
nature was paramount. The idea of
tequio," or group effort,
emphasized the value of supporting
and enhancing the community. The
Aztecs placed an emphasis on
social duty and harmony in addition
to human sacrifices, which they
ETHICS considered as essential to appease
the gods and preserve harmony.
Their moral principles, which
placed a strong emphasis on living
in harmony with others and the
environment, were closely tied to
 The Legal structure of the Aztec Empire was
advanced and filled with elements of the local
government, councils, and monarchy. The ultimate
ruler, known as the emperor or tlatoani, was
regarded as a political and religious figurehead. A
council of military commanders, priests, and
nobility backed the tlatoani and assisted in making
crucial decisions. Regional leaders known as
calpixque, who oversaw several empire wide
regions and gathered taxes, ranked behind the
emperor. The laws of the Aztecs covered a wide
range of topics, from marriage and religious rituals
to thievery and property disputes. To keep the
peace, there were stringent laws and harsh
penalties such as fines, enslavement, or death—
that were applied. In order to maintain stability
and authority over their enormous and varied
empire, the Aztec government and judicial system
were created, highlighting the importance of social
order and justice.

GOVERNMENT SYSTEMS/ LAWS

A monarchy governed the Aztec Empire, with the tlatoani, or emperor,
acting as the head of state and religion. Montezuma II, the Aztec
emperor who ruled from 1502 to 1520, was one of the most prominent.
He brought the empire to its pinnacle of expansion, but Hernán Cortés'
invasion of Spain put an end to his reign. Another notable emperor,
Itzcoatl, reigned from 1427 to 1440. He is recognized for having
founded the Triple Alliance, which contributed to the Aztec Empire's
conquest of central Mexico. Tlacaelel, a powerful advisor to multiple
emperors, rewrote Aztec history to fortify their cultural identity and
promoted the value of human sacrifice, both of which had a significant
impact on Aztec civilization. The Aztec political system was centered on
these leaders, and their empire's success.

KEY PEOPLE/ FIGURES/ MONARCHY

PART C: Language and
Arts
Nahuatl, the primary language of the Aztec empire, not only served as a
universal language but also had an impact on various regional tongues.
They created an intricate writing system that combined phonetic
characters, ideograms, and pictographs. These were primarily employed to
record religious texts, historical events, and tribute lists. Codices, or sheets
of bark or deerskin, were prepared by the Aztec scribes, known as tlacuilos
in their native tongue, and then painted with pictures and symbols. Their
history, culture, and religion were preserved and understood through the
use of these codices as a medium of transmission. During the invasion, the
Spanish destroyed a large number of them, but those that survived helped
us comprehend Aztec civilization. The writing system in conjunction with
oral traditions demonstrates the respect Nahuatl, which is the primary
language of the Aztec empire, not only served as a universal language but
also had an impact on various regional languages.

LANGUAGE/ WRITING
Aztec art and dance were essential to the existence of their culture since
they reflected their social structure and religious beliefs. The exquisite and
varied visual arts of the Aztecs comprised sculptures, jewelry, textiles, and
pottery with various motifs that frequently featured gods, animals, and
significant historical occurrences. These objects served as the means by
which the Aztecs expressed gratitude to their gods and demonstrated the
richness and strength of their empire. In the Aztec society, music and dance
were used for social gatherings and festivities in addition to religious rites.
Certain dances were a part of ritualistic activities like paying respect to the
gods and other veneration ceremonies. It was a manner of devotion and
communication with the deities. They would do so while wearing elaborately
beaded clothing, fluffy coats, and vibrant textiles, all to the accompaniment
of drums, flutes, and other traditional instruments. In Aztec society, dancing
and art were highly esteemed, serving as symbols of the people's identity
and spiritual beliefs.

ART/ DANCE
PART D:Nature and
Economy
The Aztec economy and civilization were based mostly on agriculture, with the rich
Valley of Mexico offering perfect farming conditions. Through the invention of
chinampas, or floating gardens, the Aztecs were able to cultivate crops on the shallow
lake beds. Their ability to generate excess food allowed them to feed a sizable
population and fueled the expansion of their empire. The main ingredients of the Aztec
diet were maize, beans, squash, chile peppers, and amaranth, which they grew in
large quantities. Despite having few domesticated animals, the Aztecs did keep dogs
and turkeys, which gave them access to meat and other resources. Animals were
frequently employed in ceremonies and sacrifices and had great symbolic and
religious significance in Aztec civilization. Dogs, turkeys, and Quails were frequently
offered as sacrifices to the gods in order to win their favor and secure bountiful
harvests. Because of their strength and power, animals like jaguars and eagles were
admired, commonly depicted in mythology and art as gods and warriors. These
customs demonstrate the Aztecs' close relationship with nature and the significance of
animals in their daily and spiritual lives.

AGRICULTURE/ ANIMALS /
SIGNIFICANCE OF ANIMALS
The Aztecs left behind significant social legacies that continue to
influence contemporary civilization. They created sophisticated farming
methods that allowed them to cultivate crops on water, such as floating
gardens. There are still some areas of Mexico that employ this
technique. In Tenochtitlan, their capital, the Aztecs demonstrated their
mastery in construction by erecting the Temple Mayor and an intricate
network of roadways and canals. These demonstrate their depth in the
understanding of engineering and planning. Language has also been
impacted by the Aztecs; terms like chocolate, tomato, and avocado
originate in their language, Nahuatl. These contributions demonstrate
how the innovations and culture of the Aztecs still have an impact on
our society today.

CONTRIBUTIONS TO SOCIETY/ THE

MODERN WORLD
PART E: CONCLUSION
 In conclusion, the Aztec civilization was a
complex and highly advanced society with
a rich cultural heritage that continues to
influence the modern world. Their
achievements in agriculture, architecture,
and governance demonstrated their
ingenuity and adaptability. The Aztecs'
religious beliefs and practices were central
to their society, shaping their ethics,

CONCLUSION myths, and daily life. Despite the harsh

aspects of their culture, such as human
sacrifice, the Aztecs valued wisdom,
respect, and community, emphasizing the
importance of living in harmony with their
environment and each other. The legacy of
the Aztecs lives on through their
contributions to language, art, and
agricultural practices, reminding us of their
enduring impact on history and
contemporary society.
PART F: BIBLIOGRAPHY
https://www.history.com/topics/ancient-americas/az
tecs

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aztecs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zHO7FeYEdpc&
ab_channel=AncientCities

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dsQZaxHYsgM
&ab_channel=ManuelBravo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=urFpctOmJZY&
ab_channel=CaptivatingHistory

BIBLIOGRAPHY