Aztec Flashcards, test questions and answers
Discover flashcards, test exam answers, and assignments to help you learn more about Aztec and other subjects. Don’t miss the chance to use them for more effective college education. Use our database of questions and answers on Aztec and get quick solutions for your test.
What is Aztec?
The Aztecs were an ancient Mesoamerican civilization that flourished in central Mexico from the 14th to 16th centuries. The Aztecs were known for their complex and highly advanced culture which included a rich religious, political and social structure. They also developed an intricate system of writing, art and architecture, as well as an impressive network of trade routes between their city-states. The Aztecs were made up of many different ethnic groups who had migrated to the region during the 10th century CE. At the peak of their power in the 15th century CE they controlled a large area consisting of much most of modern-day Mexico. This powerful empire was ruled by a succession of rulers from various city-states and was linked together by a common language, Nahuatl, as well as other shared cultural elements such as religion and art. The Aztec religion was complex with elements from both Mesoamerican cultures before them and those introduced by them through conquest or trade such as human sacrifice to appease gods. Priests played a major role in this faith having knowledge about rituals for ceremonies for every stage in life such as birth, marriage, death etc., and temples throughout their cities served as gathering places for worshiping gods like Huitzilopochtli (god of war) and Quetzalcoatl (god of fertility). Aztec society was organized into classes with nobles at the top followed by commoners who were divided into different vocations like farmers or merchants etc. Women had more autonomy than other Mesoamerican societies including owning property, participating in business ventures or even being warriors if they chose to be so. Slavery existed but it wasn’t widespread; instead captives taken during wars could be enslaved if they weren’t sacrificed instead or offered up to gods during ceremonies most commonly done with prisoners taken during battles with other city-states like Tlaxcala or Texcoco whom Aztecs fought often because they wanted control over more land resources like food supplies which fuelled their economy.