Aztecs

rose to power after Toltecs in central Mex. b/c reputation as warriors + fanatic religious followers

Tenochtitlan = capital

became capital b/c according to legend, ideal settlement would be where ppl saw eagle on cactus w/ serpent in beak

conquered ppl = pay tribute (sometimes in food), give up lands, sometimes do military service

state controlled use/distribution of most items & redistributed tribute

people who surrendered to Aztecs paid less tribute than thos who didn't

nobles got more tribute, commoners got less

before settling down, Aztecs were divided into 7 calpulli (clans)

distributed land, organized labor/military units, maintained temple + school

governed by council of family heads - not all families were equal so not all calpulli had equal status

political structure

Great Speaker (ruler of Tenochtitlan) was basically emperor

represented civil power and represented gods on earth

prime minister was usually close relative of ruler

governing council - alliance b/w rulers of different cities

temples were made for human sacrifice ceremonies

more intense/frequent sacrifices compared to Toltecs

war captives = sacrifices

at least 128 major gods: of rain, fire, water, corn, sky, sun, etc. - some taken from Toltecs

each god had male/female form, at least 5 aspects (North,South,East,West +center), some gods were patrons of specific cities/groups/jobs

3 major groupings of gods: fertility/agricultural cycle, creators, warfare/sacrifice

ex: Tlaloc (god of rain - agr.) & Huitzilopochtli (tribal patron - main god of warfare/sacrifice)

religious art/poetry included flowers, birds, songs, human hearts, blood

"flowery death" = death while trying to sacrifice prisoner

most desirable death for noble - ensured eternity in highest heaven (same happened to women who died during childbirth)

basic food supply came from farming done by peasants & food from tribute

tribute also included slaves & sacrificial victims

cacao beans/gold dust sometimes used as currency

Jaguar & Eagle "Knights" and other military groups had distinctive uniform/ritual and fought in separate units

ranks visible through banners/cloaks/etc.

social distinctions were visible through clothes, hairstyles, uniforms, etc.

social classes

slaves = war captives/criminals/people who sold selves to escape hunger

there was a class of workers lower than commoners but higher than slaves - almost like serfs

pochteca = special merchant class who specialized in long-distance trade of luxury itemsundefined

controlled great market at Tlatelolco

nobles belonged to certain privileged families in most distinguished calpulli -> expansion = nobles became those who had more military/administrative powers

most nobles were born into class - commoners could move up to noble class

controlled priesthood & military leadership

scribes/artisans/healers = intermediate social group - important in larger cities

women

peasant women helped in fields but main job was to take care of home/kids/cooking

trained young girls to be future wives

virginity at marriage was most desirable; nobles usually had 2+ wives, peasants usually only had one

could inherit property and pass it to heirs

chinampas = artificial floating islands of aquatic weeds, mud, and earth rooted to lake floor -> system of irrigated agriculture