1. AD 1300s came to power in Mexico
The Aztecs
AD 1300s came to power in Mexico

2. Tenochtitlan Present day Mexico-City
Settled by Aztecs after they saw the sign they had been in search of-an eagle perched with a snake in its beak
Switched from hunting to farming
Built chinampas: artificial islands made of earth embedded in a shallow lake bed; they were essentially floating gardens in which they grew corn, squash, and beans
They later built canals for transportation

3. The Aztec Empire
In the 1400s they greatly expanded their territory through fierce conquests and various alliances
Spread empire from the Gulf of Mexico to the Pacific
Aztec people- approx. 30 million
War brought power and wealth
Tribute/taxes helped turn their capital into a great city

4. Government and Society
Had a single ruler chosen by nobles and priests
Nobles and political leaders wore luxurious feathered cloaks and gold jewelry
Majority of people were commoners who farmed
At the bottom of society were slaves- criminals and prisoners of war; however, they could own land and buy their freedom
Aztec power also secured long distance traders who brought and carried goods and also served as spies

5. His pyramid temple towered above the capital city
Religion
Chief Aztec god was Huitzilopochtli-the sun god
His pyramid temple towered above the capital city
Battled forces of darkness each night and reborn each morning
There was no promise that the sun would always win-to give the god strength they offered human sacrifices through the priests

6. Other cultures implemented the concept of human sacrifice but not on the scale of the Aztecs and of course the Mayans
They carried out almost continual warfare
Among the conquered peoples, discontent and rebellion gradually rose up among the people
This created an advantage for the Spanish who would later arrive

7. Education and Learning
The Aztecs believed that illness was punishment from the gods
However, priests did use some medical practices
The Aztecs, like the Mayas, had 2 accurate calendars: 365 for harvests and 260 for religion
Priests were keepers of Aztec knowledge-they recorded laws and events
They also utilized math and astronomy

8. By the early 1500s, the Aztecs were conquered by Spanish conquistadors.
Warfare and introduced illnesses