Amazing Aztec Facts
Friday, Aug 28, 2020, 5:45 pm
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1.Their Capital City Was Tenochtitlan
Tenochititian was the capital city of the Aztecs and was located in the Valley of Mexico on the island called Lake Texcoco. During the 15th century, Tenochititian it was the capital of the Mexican Empire until the Spanish Conquest in 1521. Considered the largest city, the ruins are now found in central Mexico City.
2.They Kept Dogs As Pets
The Aztecs liked pets just as much as we do and they had their own special breeds, such as the Xolo, short for Xoloitzcuintle, a hairless dog that ranged from regular size to toy and miniature. Looking kind of like a chihuahua, these dogs had pointed snouts and large ears that stood up.
3.They Used Gold For Ornaments
Art and jewelry was own by the elite Aztecs, such as the emperors. The jewelry was made from craftsmen who dedicated their lives to the art of making fine pieces. The gold items were called ornaments, and some actually were used as what we think of ornaments today. The Aztecs were rich in silver, copper and emerald as well.
4.They Wore Expensive Head Dresses
Montezuma, the Aztec Emporer during the Spanish Conquest, wore a special featherwork head dress made of quetzal mounted in a base of gold studs made out of precious stones. Residing in the Museum of Ethnology, Vienna, there is no other remnant of it in Mexico. Even though the feathers have disintegrated over the years, it is still a beautiful piece that marks an important time in history.
5.Invaded by Hernando Cortez in 1519 In 1519, Hernando Cortes led the Spanish conquest, overtaking the Aztec Empire.
The war continued for over two years, with Cortes being considered a god. Fighting with horses and guns, the Aztecs were unprepared and had never seen these types of weapons before. The collapse of the Aztec Empire made way for the New Spain, in 1535. Cortes equipped the expedition with his own fortune.
6.The Used Human Power For Agriculture
Without machines to do the work, the Aztecs cropping was all done by human power. Very resourceful and strong, the Aztecs were able to do everything by on their own. Using what is called Chinampa as their method of farming, they grew crops on shallow lake beds in small rectangular areas.
7.Sold their Children
Most Aztecs were so poor that they sold their children to put food on the table. Often having too many children, they would sell one to keep the other's alive, otherwise they would all starve to death. The children that they sold were treated as slaves, and often abused throughout their childhood.
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8.Day of the dead
When an Aztec died, family members buried them in their houses. Influenced fom the Mayan culture, they believed that it kept the spirit close. Today professional burials are done through funer@l homes with burials in graveyards marked with grave stones. There may still be some dead bodies under houses, or underground.
9.11 Million Aztecs
There was once 11 million Aztecs. The term Aztec refers to people living in central Mexico from the 14th to 16th centuries. The term itself referred to several ethnic groups where not all of them spoke the same language. The majority of Aztecs spoke Nahuati and were part of the Mesoamerican civilization.
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10.They're Called Mexica
The Aztecs called themselves Mexica and lived in the Valley of Mexico. Named for the interconnection of their settlements in the valley, that today is called Mexico City. At the wake of the Spanish conquest, the area was expanded and called New Spain. Today both mexicans and the spanish speak spanish, but there are variations between traditional spanish and mexican spanish.
11.Their Principal Food is the Tortilla
The Aztecs primary food was the tortilla, made of ground corn, tortilla means small cake in Spanish. Made from maize flour, the tortilla became known for being a mexican food along with bean dishes in mexican restaurants throughout the United States. Today, soft tacos and tostadas are served on warm tortillas.
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12.Their Language is Nahuatl
The language of the Aztecs was Nahuati. The language used to be called Aztec by other cultures, due to it being spoken by the Aztecs, but the Aztecs called themselves Mexica and the language Mexicacopa. Today people who speak Nahuati call the language Mexicano. Nahuati is pronounced na-wa-tee.
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