...Aztec assignment 1. The role and importance of warfare in Aztec society. Role (warriors)- The Aztec empire was constantly expanding so it's no surprise that the Warriors and warfare is Itself played a very important role is the culture of the Aztecs. Aztec society was very inflexible and had a class system in which each class had a role specifically to support Aztec warriors. In saying this we can see Warfare was the main power force of both Aztec economy and religion.The military itself also played a huge role in Aztec society. The Aztecs were also extreme concerned about growing their slave labour trade and also capturing live sacrifices for their Gods. In order to maintain these two things and other resources they had to establish and...
Words: 1480 - Pages: 6
...130 Individual Research Paper The Aztecs and the role of Human Sacrifice The Aztec was a culture that dominated the Valley of Mexico in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. All the Nahua-speaking peoples in the Valley of Mexico were Aztecs, while the culture that dominated the area was Tenochca. At the time of the European conquest, they called themselves either "Tenochca" or "Toltec," which was the name assumed by the bearers of the Classic Mesoamerican culture, stated in Manuel Aguilar-Moreno’s book, Handbook to Life in the Aztec World. Sadly, many of the Aztec didn't survive after the arrival of the Europeans. But during the earlier years, the Aztec became one of the most advanced civilizations because of their religion, war, and agriculture. The Aztecs gained an infamous reputation for their bloodthirsty human sacrifices with explicit tales of the beating heart being ripped from the still-conscious victims, decapitation, skinning and dismemberment. All of these things did happen but it is important to remember that for the Aztecs the act of sacrifice was a strictly ritualized process that gave the highest possible honor to the gods and was regarded as a necessity to ensure mankind’s continued prosperity. The Aztecs were not the first civilization in Mesoamerica to practice human sacrifice; human sacrifice was practiced to some extent by many peoples in Mesoamerica and around the world for many centuries. But it was the Aztec empire that really took the ritual to...
Words: 4995 - Pages: 20
...The Aztecs The religion of the Aztecs was a dynamic factor that transformed other aspects of the culture. The state religion of the Aztecs gave them powerful advantages over other groups in central Mexico, and encouraged them to capture vast territories in a very short amount of time. War was seen as a religious duty, were the people would honor their gods, gain prestige, and acquire wealth. Constant warfare was required for two reasons: to meet god’s needs for human sacrifice, and acquire warriors for the next phase of imperial expansion. The Aztecs worshipped many deities, many being gods or goddesses with some having dual natures. However, with as many deities as they worshipped the real conflict was between order and disorder. Disorder was associated with uncleanliness or filth; while order was associated with cleanliness. The sun was thought to be the source of all life, and had to be kept moving in its orbit to protect the Aztecs...
Words: 488 - Pages: 2
...Aztecs and Conquistadors The Role and Importance of Warfare in Aztec Society: The Aztecs had two different main reasons why they would go into warfare, the first reason was purely political, as they attempted to conquer the territory of their enemies to expand their empires as well as they’re political power and hegemony. The second reason was to do with the Aztec religion, the Aztec’s would search for worthy sacrifices and held them captive the religious ceremonies where they would then be sacrificed to the Aztec Gods. The warfare that was practiced by the Aztecs was largely impacted by these objectives in warfare. But of the two objectives in Aztec warfare, it was mainly driven by the desire of political expansion and was powered by their...
Words: 791 - Pages: 4
...people who have heard about the Aztecs and their empire, but are they aware what truly brought the Aztec civilization to a screeching halt? Among other things the Conquistadors had the largest influence in the downfall of the Aztec Empire. According to a well-known historical anthropologist by the name of Ross Hassig the conquest to Mexico (which was where the Aztecs lived) has captured historians' interest for centuries and the expedition has undergone relentless investigation. The conquistadors took over the Aztec Empire which became known as Mexico, and later became under Spain's control. Since the Conquistadors were from a different civilized part of the world, they had advanced weaponry to aid them in the great feat. Not only did the Spanish, or better known as conquistadors, bring unknown weapons they also brought unknown diseases which was a detriment to the fall of the Aztec Empire. Spain sent conquistadors to Mexico to expand their empire and Herman Cortes was ultimately considered the Gran Conquistador since it was his expedition that led to the conquest of Mexico and the fall of the Aztecs (Levy, 332). Cortes arrived on the shores of Mexico with an army of conquistadors with the intent to expand the Spanish empire. On his journey he schemed to covert the native inhabitants to Catholicism and carry of a fortune of gold, of course the only thing that stood in his way were the Aztecs. Tenochtitlan, the city in which the Aztecs resided, was where Cortes met his...
Words: 933 - Pages: 4
...The Aztecs, also known as Mexicas, dominated northern Mexico all the way to the early 16th century until Hernan Cortes invaded during a Spanish conquest. Legends reveal they originated in Aztlan, somewhere in northern Mexico. In the 12th century they extended their wandering to new boundaries and settled in the central basin of Mexico roughly a century later. Refuge was found in 1325 on the islands in Lake Texcoco where the major city Tenochtitlan was founded. What is now modern-day Mexico, this city quickly flourished and was inferior to only Paris and Constantinople in population size. The fall of the Aztec empire created ripples throughout history. What was once the most prominent and powerful empire, suddenly ceased to exist, in only two years time. The tactics of Spanish conquistador Hernan Cortes, the religious affiliation with the invasion, cultural sacrifices, and the disease and natural disaster that was brought upon the Aztecs, contributed greatly to the rapid downfall of a major world superpower. Sacrifice It is widely believed that the religious rituals of sacrifice the Aztecs participated in contributed to the decline, in multiple ways. The killing of thousands of people is detrimental to society, never beneficial. The population took a drastic hit and the civilizations established around the Aztec empire never allied because of the violent measures they took. Tlaxcala is a prime example. Many of their people had been killed and they inevitably joined the...
Words: 781 - Pages: 4
...Ancient Aztec Religion: A complex interaction of gods, dates, directions and color that dealt mainly with fear of nature, and of the world. The Aztecs are famous for their sacrificial rituals that were held in order to repay the gods for the sacrifices they had made in order to bring humans life. For instance the sun god Huitzilopochtil, who gave up movement to be the sun will stop if he is not appeased bringing the world to an end, something the Aztec people feared would occur every 52 years if they made one wrong step. The main city of the Aztec Empire was Tenochtitlan(Mexico City) where they ruled and were the military power until the Spaniards came in 1519. They formed alliances with the two other major cities Texcoco and Tlacopan. Government: .The family unit was the basic unit of the Aztec government .Nobles and priest had a large amount of power, and although nobility provided leadership, they weren’t automatically placed into government. .The true power belonged to the city councils. Each council had an executive council that consisted of four individuals. Of those four there would be a Hatcani or Leader of the city. (The city council of Tenochtitlan has been compared to the Roman senate) .The Huey Tlatcanin (emperor) was worshipped as a god who’s rule is supported by city councils, priests, judges, governers , etc. He has absolute power in a sense –could be removed by a democratic system. The Fall: .The last Aztec Emperor Cuitlahuac surrendered to...
Words: 377 - Pages: 2
...at the last moment, impressed by Abraham’s show of devotion. Religion is something that is practiced solely out of faith. To have faith is to believe in what cannot be seen or heard, what cannot be held; a belief that is not based on proof. The bible describes the Christian god as more of a present being, but to the Aztec, their gods were spiritual. Abraham had the voice of god to tell him that sacrifice was not what he truly wished but what if there was no presence there to stop him? For the Aztec there were no voices. They had developed the idea that their purpose on earth was to appease the gods for all that they had given them, and that is life. That being said, the most logical way to repay them for the life they had given is to give it back, bringing the Aztec upon human sacrifice. The number of lives taken by their people is unknown, however what is known, is that the number is much larger would care to believe. The Aztec, as Abraham had prepared himself to do, sacrificed themselves out of devotion to the gods. The Aztec sacrifice of humans was attributed to religion, but in what aspect of religion is it said to give your own life to repay christ? (The Aztec felt worship to hundreds of gods opposed to christianity where there is but one) Legend has it the creation of the earth was not an easy task, created only to be destoyed time after time. The fifth and final creation...
Words: 1441 - Pages: 6
...The great Aztec flower war started with an Aztec emperor named Tlacaelel. In the 1400s Tlacaelel made the Aztec empire very powerful. With Tlacaelel being so powerful he started destroying every piece of evidence he had on the Aztec history and he preached over and over to his people that they were chosen from the gods. One of the most essential Gods for the Aztecs was Huitzilopochtli. Huitzilopochtli is also known as the god of war and the god of sun. The Mexicas were very religious and loved to battle and go to war. Because of the Mexicas characterizes men were hired as warriors and soldiers there presence were known and very useful, but the people feared them. The Aztecs honored over a hundred of different gods but Tlacaelel stressed the...
Words: 275 - Pages: 2
...The story of the conquest of the Aztec Empire by a small band of Spanish conquistadors and their Indian allies is one of the most famous episodes from history. It is well known not only for its historical significance, but also for its outrageous and hair-raising feats of derring-do. Hernando Cortez, acting essentially on his own, with an army of only about 500 men overthrew the wealthiest, most sophisticated, and most powerful empire on the American continent. The Aztecs were not a passive, peace-loving people. They had enormous armies of experienced warriors and dominated the tribes and territories for hundreds of miles around. Their cities were large, complex and strongly fortified, and their civilization was prosperous and sophisticated. The Spaniards won a victory over the Aztecs against almost insurmountable odds through a combination of diplomacy, treachery, ferocious combat and good luck. So great was the conquistadors love of gold and glory that they stood firm in nearly impossible circumstances and their sheer audacity won the day. Cortez was unquestionably brutal and merciless at times, but on the whole, he was an exceedingly skilled tactician and a charismatic leader of men. He accomplished a great deal by diplomacy and treated his Indian allies fairly. He had several Indian children whom he acknowledged and provided for, and won the respect of many native leaders. If his plans had not gone awry he might have conquered the Aztec empire with little bloodshed, and...
Words: 2009 - Pages: 9
...September 25,2012 In 1492 meanwhile Spaniards reconquested the last Muslim kingdom that fell into Catholicism, Columbus’ voyages embarked with conquerors heading for fame, fortune and most of all to expand the Roman Catholic faith. One of these conquerors was Cortes who was under the authority of Diego Valazquez governor of Cuba, like most conquerors Cortes broke away from Valazquez and headed to conquer Mexico, which he heard is a country full of riches. Cortes’ use of leadership played a fundamental role the result of the conquest of Mexico. From the very beginning he to induced fear into the Mexicas with the usage of technology, he made them believe they were tueles by acting god like, he befriended many enemy states and most of all his military technique when they entered Tencohtitlan lead to their conquest of Mexico. Moctezuma’s leadership on the other hand lead to the conquest of Mexico, he would give gifts and praise the Spaniards not inflicting fear. He lost all power over the Mexicas once he was captured which lead to their conquest. Leadership, military and political strategies led to the conquest of Mexico. The Spaniards finally arrived at the Port of San Juan de Ulua, they were greeted by two ambassadors sent by Moctezuma. These ambassadors were accompanied with painters to take pictures back to their prince. Cortes saw this as a chance to make an impression of their technology and strength. “Cortes Ordered our gunner to load the lombards with great charge...
Words: 2452 - Pages: 10
...How and when did the Aztec and Inca empires fall? . The Aztec and Inca names do not necessarily refer to people who inhabited the Americas but they reference the empires themselves. The empires were made up of many groups. The Aztec Empire encompassed the ethnic groups of the Acolhua, the Tepanecs and the Mexicas. The Aztec Empire was ruled by the Mexicas. The Mexicas were warriors. They built their capitol in a city called Tenochtitlan. It was located where central Mexico is today (Chasteen 28). Hernan Cortes was a Spanish leader who had a lot of experience with the indigenous people by the time he came upon the Aztec empire. The Mexica had no clued what the Spanish wanted or their intentions. After the Mexica accepted the Spanish into their land, Cortes took their leader Moctezuma hostage. Next Cortes made allies with long time Mexica enemies (a common tactic by the Europeans) and waged war on the Mexica. The Mexica also suffered from a rapidly spreading sickness which worked to Cortes advantage to decimate the Aztec Empire. The Inca Empire was located in the areas of what today makes up Columbia, Peru and Chile. It was south of the Aztec Empire and its capitol was called Cuzco. It was made up of a federation of four governments. The Chinchay Suyu , Anti Suyu, Kunti Suyu, and Qulla Suyu (Wikipedia). A distant relative of Cortes by the name of Franscisco Pizarro used similar techniques to defeat the Inca Empire. Pizarro took the Incan leader hostage and eventually killed...
Words: 440 - Pages: 2
...in forming what is presently known as Mexico. During the century XVI the indigenous princess was born into an aristocratic family until she was sold “como un esclava a los aztecas.” Quickly the beauty and intelligence of La Malinche set herself apart from the other slaves. Thus when the Spanish conquistador, Hernan Cortes, arrived Malinche was presented as a useful present. Her previous knowledge of the Nahuah and Mayan languages and her rapid proficiency in Spanish made her Cortes’s ideal translator and consultant. La Malinche continuously proved her loyalty throughout the Spanish conquest. Not only did Malinche warn Cortes of possible ambushes (emboscadas) but she also convinced gente to form an alliance against Montezuma, the Aztec emperor. Over time, Malinche formed a relationship with Cortes and eventually gave birth to his son. The son of Malinche and Cortes marks beginning of the mestizo race, which dominates the population of Mexico in this day in age. Malinche “fue testigo del fin de una civilizacion y el augue de otra nueva y se convirtió en la madre simbólica del Nuevo group étnico” que shapes Mexico today. The role of La Malinche in the construction of present day Mexico is both revered and condemned. Historically, the consensus was that the traitorous alliance between Malinche and the Spanish conquerors was unforgivable. Recently, however, many have attempted to rewrite the unjust reputation of la “Eva Mexicana.” The song “La Maldición De La Malinche”...
Words: 1003 - Pages: 5
...Martin Feichtenschlager FORL 2150 08.06.2003 Question #1: Understanding of Amerindian/Native Americans October 11th (12th), 1492, the coast was rather quite, except for a moderate wind. The breeze was pushing the waves evermore further on the beach, slowly but surely reaching the foot of a dark-skinned native who was keeping watch along the shore. It was after midnight, as the Indians started crying out that they had seen large objects floating towards them. Soon smaller vessels with people, people not yet seen before, their skin so pale and their hair streaming with gold and some brown, was moving towards the shore. Aboard was a man, quite of stature, blond hair (wearing a hat) and a distinct nose, jumped out of the boat with two soldiers and walked towards the indigenous people. This was the first recorded meeting of the Europeans (Christopher Columbus) and the Indians of South America, the first of their kind called the Arawaks. This marked the opening of a New World and new opportunities for the Europeans, but not the Indians, for them it was mainly a disaster as was mentioned in the book Born in Blood and Fire, written by John Charles Chasteen, “Neither the Europeans’ “Old World” nor the “New World,” as they called the Americas would ever be the same afterward.” (Chasteen, pg. 29) They had somehow managed to live peacefully and resourcefully before the white man came. Life in Central and South America was socially and religiously quite simple compared to...
Words: 929 - Pages: 4
...husband and son; her mother either sold or gave her to Mayan traders. Her death was faked by showing the townspeople the body of a dead child who had belonged to a slave. There is no way to possibly know how she was treated while being a slave. I believe she may have been useful to the Mayan traders because of her ability to learn languages. Being quite beautiful and intelligent she was given as tribute to Cortez in 1519 upon the defeat of the Cacique of Tabasco Mayans; she was among 20 young women. Malintzin then became a gift from Cortez to Alonzo Hernando Puertocarrero, a well born member of his expedition. When Puertocarrero went back to Spain, Cortez took her for himself. Besides her native tongue of Nahuatl, the common language of the Aztecs, she also learned several dialects of the Mayan languages from the time she had spent with them. Another member of Cortez expedition was a priest who could speak...
Words: 719 - Pages: 3
