ORIGINS
What was the name of the Tribe from which the Aztec came?
Mexica
Where is Tenochtitlan? (What kind of landscape is it in?)
A lake - What is the name of the lake? (Bonus)
What is a Vassal/Tributary?
A people who are under the Aztecs and pay them tribute yearly - How do you become a tributary/vassal? (Bonus)
Who is on the top of the pyrimad?
Ruling class, Emperor
True/False - The Aztecs were Polytheistic
True, they had many gods and worshiped them for different purposed.
Where did they say they came from? (the story they created)
Aztlan
What was the sign from the gods that the Aztecs should settle on the island?
An eagle with a snake on a cactus
What is an Ally and why weren't they under the Aztecs?
They were people who were strong enough to resist Aztecs or were respected by them. They went to war together and traded.
True/False - The Aztec system was designed to keep people in one class
False, It was designed to allow for people to do the most good for the Aztec empire
What did the Aztecs think of blood?
It was vital to the gods because it sustained them and gave back to them for their sacrifices.
The Aztecs started as city builders - True or False
False - Why? (Bonus)
What is a Chinampa? What is its purpose?
An artificial island made from wooden stakes, woven nets and filled with earth/stone to create more land for living space, buildings and farming
What is tribute? Why is it important?
Goods/wealth given to the conquering culture, it is important because is sustained the empire's people, armies and trade systems
What are the main ways to changes classes in the Aztec social system? (At least 2)
Marriage, Achievement, Birth, Failure, Enslavement , Divine intervention
What is the purpose of bloodletting?
Self-Sacrifice and hallucinations to see the will of the gods
As Nomads they did what for other cultures?
They worked as mercenaries - What is a mercenary? (Bonus)
How did they get to the mainland?
By boat or causeways - What was the benefit of this? (Bonus)
True or False - If the Aztecs conquered you then you lost all control of your lands and could not worship your own gods.
False, You were allowed to live and rule your lands as you liked so long as you supplied yearly tribute, obeyed the emperor and worshiped Huitzilopochtli in addition to your own gods.
How could you become a slave? 3 ways
Battle Captive, Debt or criminal - How did you get out? (Bonus)
Did the calendar have anything to do with their religion?
Yes it let them know when to venerate, worship, a certain deity or group.
Why did the Aztecs (Still the Mexica) flee to the island that would be there future home? What did they do?
Sacrificed the Daughter of the chief of a nieghboring tribe
What were two of the most important buildings in the city?
The great temple
The palace of the Emperor
Why do we consider the Aztecs and Empire and not a civilization? When did the change happen?
They control and have many other civilizations within them and a central base of power (Emperor). They became an empire when they began to expand and subdue others into their society.
True/False - only men could be priests
False, Women often were priestesses and very active in their society
What would the Aztecs do with the heart of their sacrifices?
Depends on the god they worship at the time, typically dried out in the sun or burned it to send it to the gods.