Eclipses Of The Aztecs

People often wonder how a civilisation as advanced as the Aztecs could have collapsed within 2 years of the arrival of foreigners. The Aztecs arrived in Tenochtitlan (modern Mexico City) in 1325 CE, and the empire collapsed 200 years later, in 1521 CE. The pivotal event that assisted in the collapse of the civilisation was the arrival of conquistador Hernan Cortés. The main factors that assisted Cortés were tribal warfare, the Aztec religion, disease, and the difference between Aztec and Spanish military technology. Disease played a significant role in the downfall of the Aztecs, because it killed 25% of the population, including major military leaders. (The Fall of the Aztec Empire, 2006)

The Aztecs cosmology was a unique combination of mythology. Their beliefs about themselves and their purpose were not something they took lightly. “The mystic-militaristic approach characteristic of Aztec religion…felt that the purpose of man’s creation was to provide blood for the maintenance of the Sun’s life” (Leon-Portilla, Aztec Thought & Culture, 122). With this perspective of themselves, the Aztecs believed that human sacrifice was not only justified but necessary for the lives of civilization. Simply put, mankind was “food” for god.

The Aztecs had one of the most successful and advanced empires of all time. They had a dwelling culture The Aztec civilization was located directly in the middle of two mountain ranges in the central valley of Mexico ( Platt 10). Although the Aztec empire eventually came to an end they were able to do well as an empire. Contributing factors that led to the rise of the empire was their political structure, social components, and religious traditions which they preformed earnestly.

     The Aztecs were an American Indian people who ruled a mighty empire in Mexico from the 1400's to the 1500's. The Aztecs had one of the most advanced civilizations in the Americas and built cities as large as any in Europe at that time. They also practiced a remarkable religion that affected every part of their lives and featured human sacrifice. The Aztecs built towering temples, created huge sculptures, and held impressive ceremonies all for the purpose of worshipping their gods. The Spaniards destroyed their magnificent empire in the year 1521, but the Aztecs left a lasting mark on Mexican life and culture .

The great Aztec Empire, Tenochtitlán was overpowered and taken by Hernán Cortés. When the empire fell, many Aztecs were infected with a disease from Europe, smallpox. It was their first exposure to the disease and they had no immunity. Over a course of months, the culture and civilization of the fallen empire have changed.Numerous people wonder about the Aztecs who have survived and still remain in Tenochtitlán. On a trip to the city, we stopped an Aztec resident on the street to answer a few questions. The resident requested to remain anonymous for safety reasons.

The first chapter, The Birth of Philosophy among the Nahuas, describes the beginning of Aztec thought outside of what was the basic ideals and morals of this civilization. Within the first paragraph the author references the work of Alfonso Caso,stating that he “has recreated the essence of the Aztec concept of the universe, demonstrating that the various cosmic beliefs of the Nahuas revolved around the great solar myth which enthroned the Aztecs specifically as “the people of the sun.” Meaning he was able to explain the Aztec mythology and its connection to

that were very intricate and important to the culture as a whole. The Aztecs, at the height of their greatness, ruled 5-6 million people and over 500 city-states. However every great civilization in history, including the Aztecs, have a rise and have a fall. The Aztec Empire fell to the Spaniard’s conquest because of the Aztec’s religion, disease, Spanish weaponry, and native alliances.

For centuries we have been taught about different ancient civilizations. Civilizations that individually give us genuine reasons and facts which we remember them by. Whether it'd be for their customs or agriculture each civilization has contributed to our technology in the way we grow our food and the way we build. Today I would like to remember the Aztecs. They have been famous for their agriculture, their cultivation of land and creating artificial islands in the lakes.

The Aztecs believe they felt justified in believing in this calendar because of numerous events that changed the course of history for them. Because Aztec Indians were fervent astronomers, they tracked the stars and correlated that between the days to create this sun calendar. Examples of events happening within the timeline of the calendar stone being built are these: Between 1452 and 1454, their capital city Tenochtitlan suffered from flood and famine, the following year on 4/16/1445 (Julian calendar) there was an eclipse of the sun. From 1473-1479, there were 4 more solar eclipses within a five year time frame (Aveni, Calnek). During this time the Aztec nation conquered and

The Aztec and Inca were two of the largest civilizations and shared many strengths and weaknesses at the time of European contact. Both empires were great builders, the Aztec built pyramids and complex waterways while the Inca built their communities into the side of the Andes mountain. Another strength between the two empires include of being large and powerful. Next are the weaknesses, which stem from the two empires both being young and lacking pertinent experiences. Also, both governments were not completely united, leaving great probability for conflict. The Aztec also have another weakness because they were composed of many different cultures that were loyal to their ethnic leaders. Even though they were two of the largest civilizations,

The Aztecs lived in what is now Mexico city. This region is located in Northwest Mexico. The Aztecs lived near The Great Lake and near mountains. The weather was always hot, humid and 80 or above degrees.

The events that occurred between the Aztecs and Spanish Conquistadors have many sides and opportunities for debate. One of the most debated topics being; Who was more savage and who was more Civil? Both the Aztecs and Spanish had powerful and thriving empires. These empires displayed their dominance through their advanced technology and flourishing military. Though it may seem that the Spanish were more advanced than the Aztecs, the Aztecs and Spanish were actually quite close to being equal in technological advancements.

The Spanish conquistadors emphasized all the negative aspects of the Aztec culture to justify their means to satisfy their own greed. The Spanish wanted gold and wanted to negatively envision the Aztecs as a whole. The Aztecs ignorance lead to their barbaric ways and the Spanish used this to their advantage. The Spanish taught the Europeans back home to hate and fear the Aztecs for their cruel actions.

A Spanish conquistador who invaded Aztecs and took the land for Spain. Orders were made for and expedition but however were cancelled. He “ ignored the order and set sail for Mexico with more than 500 men and 11 ships that fall” (http://www.biography.com/people/hern%C3%A1n-cort%C3%A9s-9258320#early-life) During his invasion, he took King of the Aztecs, King Montezuma and hostage so his men could raid the city. Soon he was overrun by the aztecs and left, but came back to take the city again and Prince Charles appointed his as governor for new spain but his position was taken way and died wanting recognition.

What was happening in a few civilizations around the world during the Golden Era was that they were making advancements in mathematics, sewage, warfare and expansion, long distance trading, education, and medicine. The Aztecs developed causeways between islands for transport, then they also made aqueducts to carry fresh water, and sewers to dispose of waste. The Aztecs had in Tenochtitlan a few pyramids, palaces, and market places. They made an alliance called the “Triple Alliance” with the lords of Texcoco and Tlacopan. The Aztec empire grew, and by the start of the 1500s the empire stretched from the Atlantic to the Pacific and into Guatemala and Nicaragua. They designed roads for travel by foot as they did not have draught animals,