Mexicanist peels back the layers of Aztec civilization. Discover their achievements, beliefs and way of life. Learn the truth about this fascinating culture.
History
The cocoa bean, a sacred commodity in Mesoamerica, was prized for its nutritional value, ritual significance, and economic importance. The bean was used as currency, a symbol of status, and a central element in religious ceremonies.
History
Aztec, Maya, and Inca empires flourished in pre-Columbian Americas. Aztecs, known for their warlike nature, built a vast empire. Maya excelled in astronomy, math, and art, creating independent city-states. Inca, skilled engineers and administrators, ruled a vast Andean empire.
Cuisine
The Aztecs, a highly advanced civilization, incorporated a variety of insects into their diet. The Aztecs' culinary traditions, which included preparing insects in various ways, have survived through centuries and continue to influence modern Mexican cuisine.
History
The Coatlicue sculpture, a colossal andesite carving, is a central figure in Aztec mythology. It depicts the Mother Goddess adorned with symbolic motifs of life and death. Discovered in Mexico City, it's believed to have served as a powerful political statement.
History
Teotihuacan, an ancient Mexican city, holds mysteries. Once a powerful civilization, its true name is lost. Legends say it birthed the sun. Explore its towering pyramids, unearthed artifacts, and whispers of the past waiting to be revealed.
History
Jesuit rebel priest Clavijero resurrected Mexico's past, defying dogma with Aztec language, science, and a dash of wit. His “Ancient History” and Baja California tales ignited debates and opened doors to understanding a lost world, proving history's magic lies beyond dusty dates.
Aztecs
The Aztecs had a diverse and fascinating religion that blended beliefs from different eras and cultures. Aztec priests blended these diverse beliefs into a cohesive system that influenced everything from politics to weather forecasts.
Aztecs
Tlatelolco's Aztec market was a vibrant explosion of trade, boasting exotic goods from across Mesoamerica and everyday essentials. A pre-Hispanic Amazon where jade shimmered, chocolate melted hearts, and life pulsed with every haggle and barter.
Aztecs
Uncertain estimates cloud the Aztec economy, but we glimpse a vibrant society with gendered roles, diverse crafts from farmers to featherworkers, and all sustained by the common folk's harvest of corn, beans, and tribute.
Aztecs
In the Aztec politics, the huey tlatoani orchestrated divine authority, while the cihuacóatl covered in his absence. Supreme councils and dignitaries added flair, and tribute, overseen by the cihuacóatl, fueled the empire's financial pulse.
Aztecs
Unraveling Aztec society's complexity: Macehualtin, vital laborers; Pipiltin, noble rulers; Pochtecas, unexpected bourgeoisie. Threads of toil, privilege, and alliances wove the vibrant tapestry of their civilization.
Aztecs
In 1325, the Aztecs settled on an islet, paying tribute to Azcapotzalco. Prophecies, a temple, and a quest for a ruler led to a royal twist in the 1370s, transforming the Aztecs from reed-dwellers to a society of social hierarchies and nobles, all while holding onto ancient calpullis structures.
Aztecs
From Teotihuacan's inspiration to Tenochtitlan's grandeur, the Aztecs' artistry left Spaniards awestruck. Their complex temples, skilled stone carving, featherwork, and distinctive codices reveal a vibrant artistic journey.
Aztecs
In 1502, Motecuzoma II rose as the Aztec ruler, merging priesthood with authoritarian rule. Faced with the Spanish conquest and wavering faith, he met a tragic end, marking the fall of the Aztec Empire's ascendancy from obscurity.
Aztecs
From a confederation of city-states, the Aztecs transformed into a formidable empire. Led by Motecuzoma Ilhuicamina, they conquered, thrived, and paved the way for commoners to participate in public life, marking a remarkable chapter in Mesoamerican history.
Aztecs
In the heart of ancient Mexico, a power struggle unfolded as Itcoatl, the “White Serpent,” rose to challenge Azcapotzalco's usurper chief, Maxtla. Guided by Tlacaelel, this alliance-builder transformed Tenochtitlan, setting the stage for the Aztec Empire's grand ascent.