World, Education, And Characteristics Of The Aztecs

The Aztecs were a remarkable civilization. Th is civilization were distrusted and disliked because they tended to push others out of their way. They ruled an empire in Tenochtitlan in the time of 1350 to 1519. They also were known for their agriculture and human sacrifices. Agriculture was a very important part of their h istory because without their farming method the Aztec couldn't have created such great civilization. According to Document A of the Aztec DBQ, states that the Aztec empire grew more than 200 miles west to east, and north to south. Th is means that with the growth of the empire the population also grew and more effective agriculture techniques were needed to feed the people. They created the method of ch inampas because they

The Aztecs were sophisticated for their organized government. The Aztec government consisted of strong rulers. Their prestigious rulers led them through conquests such as how their ruler, Itzcoatl did in 1427 (doc C). Itzcoatl was a ruler who vastly contributed to the advancement of the Aztecs by leading them in the claiming of more land. Aztecs had their own capital, Tenochtitlan. They were cultured and their population grew to 300,000 in 1519 (doc F). The Aztecs were sophisticated because of their rapid population growth and their strong rulers.

The ancient Aztec civilization is usually thought of as a barbaric, unintelligent people throughout modern society. This could be an ideal carried down from the Spaniards that concord the native lands or even something as simple as today’s society creating overblown stereotypes because of conjoined lack of understanding and overall knowledge. But, because of the extensive research and studies done by Miguel León-Portilla we are able to discover the true nature of the Aztec peoples way of life. Within the book “Aztec Thought and Culture” the author explains the develop of the Aztec civilization through education and philosophy as well as describing the Aztec people as an advanced society rather than the popular belief of a savage people and culture.

In the book Daily Life of The Aztecs On the Eve of the Spanish Conquest by Jacques Soustelle you are walked through what life was like for the Aztecs. You are in 16th Century Mexico, or to them Mexico-Tenochtilan. Soustelle does an excellent job immediately putting you in character with the introduction of the book. The book is broken down into seven different main chapters detailing major aspects of the Aztecs lives in the late 1500’s. You learn about where they lived, to the wars they fought, and what life was like for them from birth to death. In this paper I will further discuss four topics that were very crucial in the daily lives of the Aztecs. I will help you find a better understanding in their daily life as well as the many changes they migrated through over time. The four topics I will be discussing are: 1. Culture and Customs of the Aztecs 2. Civilization vs Barbarism 3. Art and Architecture 4. Education and Home Life.

According to Aditia Rinaldi “Every end should be followed by great new beginning”. The ending of the Toltec and Chavin civilizations marked the new beginnings of the Aztec and Incan cultures. The cultures of former civilizations in Mesoamerica developed technology that aided in the creation of the Aztec and Incan civilizations. The culture of these civilizations was also impacted by their location. The Aztecs were built on cities next to lakes and plentiful water sources while the Incans were founded on mountainous, rough soil. The soil type determined the number of crops that could be grown and trade patterns. Another important aspect of Incan and Aztec culture was social class structure. The class structure of the Aztecs started with monarchs/religious leaders and ended on slaves with warriors, craftsmen, and traders located in the middle. The Incan hierarchy was based on the lower class (poor families) working for the upper class (monarch and government). Both class structures had a majority of low class poor workers. The cultures of both Incan and Aztec empire were greatly affected by civilizations before them, geographic location, and social class structure.

Some major aspects of the Aztec civilizations were farming and trading. The Aztecs were hunters and

     The Aztec and Inca peoples lived in militaristic and expansionist societies whose ideals were fueled by their religious convictions. Expansionism was necessary for both societies to support their religious beliefs. The religious zeal of these two civilizations became something that the leaders of the empires could not control. These empires were built through ideologically driven conquests, which became the cornerstones of their societies and something beyond the control of the rulers.

Aztec is civilization created by the ancient Indian, which was mainly distributed in central and southern Mexico. Aztecs were a tribe with a lower level of development at first, but they absorb and fuse with other outstanding cultural traditions of Indian in the region that they rose rapidly. Aztec had developed agriculture and the main crops were corn, beans, squash, potatoes. Religion played an important role in the life of the Aztecs. The inhabitants believed in the immortality of the soul and Supreme domination. They adored the natural god that one of the peculiar was to use the living person for sacrifice.

Pre-Columbian Aztec Tribe was a very complex and hierarchical society that settled among the Aztecs of central Mexico in the times prior to the Spanish seize of Mexico. It was erected on the cultural bases of the bigger area of Mesoamerica. The culture was structured into self-governing city-states, called altepetls, which had smaller divisions. These city-states were further composed of one or more large kinship cluster (History.com). Nobles and commoners were the most fundamental social division in the Aztec empire. Noblemen were given more privileges that were not shared by the commoners most significantly the right to get protection from commoners on their land. The common individuals were exempted to own and cultivate land and to handle their possessions, while yet accomplishing the requirements of the lords and their calpulli, such as protection payment and military help. Nevertheless, at the same time were given some privileges equal to those of the lesser nobleness. During the rise of an Aztec empire, there were so many problems that the community experienced to conquer other lands and survive. This article illustrates some of the main problems that the Aztec tribe experienced. Among them are diseases, feeding a large population, ritual sacrifices, political problems through rivalry and prejudice and technological problems.

The Aztecs has a class system. First in the class system was the Emperor, the emperor was the almighty ruler of everyone. Second, Nobles came after the emperor, they ran the government and army usually. Third in the class system were the artisans, the artisans were usually artisans or market people. Fourth in the system were the commoners, the commoners were usually farmers. Finally in the class system were slaves, slaves were usually war captives, and if war captives didn´t become slaves, were usually used a sacrifices.

Women played a subordinated role to men in Aztec society. Gender dictated what roles and occupations a member of Aztec society was to be involved in. Men traditionally spent their time battling in wars and

     The Aztecs society was structured in a hierarchy with nobles at the top. Social status was determined primarily at birth. All members of the nobility could trace their lineage to the first Aztecs ruler Acamapichtli . The only way one could rise up to another class in the system was to perform an outstanding military achievement.

     The culture of these two civilizations are also similar and different in many ways. Religion was very important in the lives of the Aztec as well as the Maya. Both civilizations worshiped many gods. The Aztec and Maya worshiped gods such as the “corn god.”They believed in this god, because the economy of both civilizations was based on farming. The Family life was also similar. The typical Aztec and Maya households consisted of both families, and all members of the extended family, such as the husband’s relatives. Each member of the family helped with most of the work. The husband’s responsibilities were to support the family usually by doing craft work. The wife’s duties included weaving the families clothing, and cooking their food. However, the Maya had no schools. The children learned various skills by observing adults and helping them. On the other hand, the Aztec’s did things differently. Boys were educated by their father until about the age of 10. Then they attended school fun

groups and political leaders and allowed variation from one group to another. As long as Inca or

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.