1. Borrowed from Mrs. Valenti’s World History Class
Saddleback Valley, CA
Thanks Mrs. Valenti!

2. The Aztec – Life and Society

3. Aztec Religion
Main Idea 2:
Aztec religion required human sacrifice for keeping the gods happy.

4. Aztec Religion
The Aztecs believed that they had to feed the gods with human blood. Most sacrifices were enemy warriors.

5. Aztec Religion
The Aztecs made the greatest number of sacrifices to their two most important gods:
Huitzilopochtli: the god of the sun and of war
Tláloc (tlah LOHK): the god of rain

6. Aztec Religion
Most Aztec sacrifices went to Huitzilopochtli . Aztecs believed that the sacrifices returned energy to him, the sun god – allowing him to continue the battle against the god of night.
The Aztecs believed
the sacrifices renewed
his energy

8. Aztec Religion
Huitzilopochtli was especially feared by the Aztec because he could destroy the world whenever he wanted
He is also the god who sent the Aztec in search of the eagle on the cactus

9. Aztec Religion
Humans were sacrificed because it was believed that the human hearts and blood would “feed” the gods and keep them strong.
Image of Aztec "Skull Rack" or Tzompantli

10. Aztec Religion
Aztec priests sacrificed as many as 10,000 victims a year in religious sacrifices.

11. Social Structure Main Idea 1:
Aztec society was divided by social roles and by class.

12. Social Structure People in Aztec society had clearly defined roles.
These roles, along with social class, determined how Aztec men and women lived. They had four distinct social classes.
Kings and nobles
Priests and warriors
Merchants and artisans
Farmers and slaves

13. Kings and Nobles
The king was the most powerful person in Aztec society.
The king was in charge of law, trade and tribute, and warfare.

14. Kings and Nobles
The nobles were tax collectors and judges as well as other jobs.
Nobles passed their titles down from father to son.
These hieroglyphs helped the nobility track who had paid their tribute

15. Warriors and Priests
The priests had a great deal of influence over the lives of the Aztecs.
The priests had many duties, but the most important duty was to keep calendars that decided when to plant crops & hold religious ceremonies.

16. Warriors and Priests
Aztec warriors also had many duties. They fought to capture victims for religious sacrifices. They also brought great wealth to the empire.
The warriors were very well respected by the Aztecs.

17. Merchants and Artisans
Merchants gathered goods from all over the empire and sold them in the main market.
Many merchants were very wealthy and used their money to build large houses and send their sons to private schools.

18. Merchants and Artisans
Artisans were also rich and important to the Aztecs. They made gold jewelry and elaborate headdresses.

19. Farmers and Slaves
Most of the people who lived in the empire were farmers who grew maize, beans, and a few other crops. Farmers were very poor and did not own their own land.

20. Farmers and Slaves Most men worked in the calpulli fields
Women cooked, wove cloth, & cared for the young
Around ages 10-14, boys were sent to school to learn about Aztec religion, history, and other things

21. In this scene, Aztec teenagers attend a special school to learn about the Aztec way of life.

22. Farmers and Slaves
Slaves were people who had been captured in battle or who could not pay their debts. They became laborers, and if they did not obey, they were sacrificed to the gods.