1. The Aztec story By Bryce Reynolds
The story of the Aztecs By Bryce Reynolds.

2. geography
The Aztecs empire ran from CE. The empire was comprised of three areas Tenochtitlan, which is better known as Mexico City, Texzcoco and Tlacopan. Together they were best known as the Triple Alliance. Over time the city of Tenochtitlan became the most powerful city and the heart of the Aztec empire.
The Aztecs were located in the middle of a salt-waste lake. Their island was man made and the climate was hot and humid, with lots of rain. The Aztecs had mountains, desert plains and the jungle.

3. religion
The ancient Aztecs religion was based upon many gods. They were farming people who knew the forces of nature and worshipped them as gods. The Aztecs had a deep fear of nature. Aztecs believed that it took the gods five tries to create the world. The most important sun god was known as Huitzilopochtli which means “ the warrior of the south brought back from the dead”.
The Aztecs offered blood to the sun, so that it would rise once again. Sacrificial offerings to the gods was a very common religious practice in Aztec society.

4. The Aztecs achievements were many. The most notable achievements were:
Stone Calendar dedicated to the sun god was a massive carving of Basalt –lava rock.
The Great Pyramid of Tenochtitlan was 197 feet high.
Moctezuma’s Throne also called the “ Teocalli (temple) of the Sacred War.”
The causeways three of them were massive dike like structures that were built to prevent salty flood waters from the lake from mixing with the fresh water surrounding the island.
Despite the fact that the Aztec were mostly farmers. They managed to build great pyramids, stone carvings and bridges. The Aztecs also invented a game called Valador, the flying bird game. They wore costumes designed with beaks and feathers. These are just a few of their achievements.

5. Political system
The Aztec political system had many members similar to the Roman government. The Huey Tlatcani was like an emperor and was worshipped like a god.
City councils held a lot of power. Each council had four members who were chosen to lead, but only one could lead the city. The land was owned by a group of families called the Calpulli. They were responsible for the basic needs of the groups or families.

6. economics
The Aztecs were mainly farmers. They introduced a variety of fruits and vegetables to the world. One of the greatest gifts to the world from Mexico was chocolate. The cocoa bean was a prized possession in the Aztec Empire. In fact, the cocoa bean was used as currency and as Aztec food. Aztec currency was known as chold. Chold was a mixture of two dearly beloved resources chocolate and gold.
The Aztec economy was based on agriculture and trade. They practiced advanced agronomy techniques like crop rotation. Chinampa was unique to the Aztecs people. Farmer placed beds of reed upon the lake and covered them with dirt and cultivated. This allowed them to reclaim the water.

7. Social structure
The Aztec society was divided into four tiers: 1) Emperor or Huey Tlatoani, 2) Lords and Nobles, 3) Merchants and 4) Slaves. The Nobles were government officials, rulers, high priest and military leaders. They were intelligent and wealthy. Commoners worked as farmer, laborers and servants they lived and worked outside the central areas. Serfs worked the town land that belonged to rulers. There were laws for all classes.

8. The Aztecs made clothes from cactus fibers.
Quick facts
Did you know that the Aztecs were the first culture to eat chocolate? They also made chocolate drinks that were mixed with corn. Aztec Warriors and noble men were the only one that could have this food.
The Aztecs made clothes from cactus fibers.
Chia was a popular food sources and a super food because it is rich in omega 3’s, protein, fats and fiber. Aztecs believed that chia made them strong.
The Aztecs had domesticated turkeys before Europe and Spain. They used them for food, religious sacrifices and the feathers for decorations.
The humming bird represents the tribal god of the Aztecs.
The Aztec Empire was a rich culture. Look at what they accomplished.

9. Ancient Aztec Essay
The Aztec Empire was a great nation. They lived in central Mexico in late 1200 CE CE. Aztec were a civilization made of many people with many beliefs. Around the 1300 CE Tenochtitlan was formed and became a mecca for commerce and trade. During this time emperors were treated with great respect almost like gods and held the most power. Most of the noble men, priest and military occupied the central areas of the city. Slaves and commoners lived on the outside of the city. An advanced political system and social structure kept the government organized. The Aztec’s political systems was compared to the Roman empire. Aztecs had a strong fear of nature and worshipped many gods, especially the sun gods. They believed that human sacrifices pleased the gods and would bring goodness into their lives. Aztecs were very creative people and can take credit for developing the stone calendar, water gardens, chinampas, pyramid, causeways and chocolate drinks. The ancient Aztec civilization often fought among themselves constantly and were said to be fierce warriors. The reign of the Aztecs lasted a little over fifteen years and they were eventually conquered by the Spaniard's in 1523 CE.

10. 1. What is the Aztec sun god’s name?
Quick quiz
1. What is the Aztec sun god’s name?
2. Name the crop that was Mexico’s gift to the modern world today.
3. How many groups or tiers make up the Aztec social structure?
4. Which bird represents the most recognized tribal god?
5. What is the bridge like structure that separates fresh water on the island
from the salt water lake?

11. Bibliography
(1996 & 2002). Aztec and Mayan Law. Retrieved May 27, 2012, from Tarlton Law Library Rare Books and Special Collection: http: tarlton.law.utexas.edu
Aztec Food, Calendars and Temples. ( ). Retrieved May 27, 2012, from Aztec History.com: food/calendars/temples
Allan, N. S. (2004).Excavating The Past: The Aztec Empire. Heinemann Library
Donald, F. M. (2008). Aztecs: Dress, Eat, Write and Play. Crab Tree Publishing.
Hiti, M. D. (2009). The Aztec Life in Tenochtitlan. Millbrook Press.
Sonneborn, L. (2005). The Ancient Aztecs. Scholastic Books.

12. 2. Cocoa bean or Chocolate
Quick Quiz Answers
1. Huitzilopochtli
2. Cocoa bean or Chocolate
3. Four Groups or Tiers
The Humming Bird
5. Causeways