Aztec

Question 1

What and when were that Aztecs? And what was the language they spoke, how did they keep power?

Answer 1

The Aztecs (Mexica) also known as the People of Atlan (Their mythical homeland) were the dominant political power in Mexico at the time of contact with Europe with power far beyond only Nahuatl speakers (the language of the Aztecs). Their artworks and materials are what drove their imperial exspansion. They reached Tenochtitlan (the capital) in 1325 CE as prophesized by their sun and war God Huizipotchtli when an eagle lands on a cactus they will know they have found home, and this is a symbol used on the mexican flag today. They used taxation on materials to craft status symbols or prestige luxury goods.

Question 2

What materials were taxed/reviered to Mexica

Answer 2

Emrald feathers, lip plugs, any green stone. Jade mosaic masks worn in funerals. Jaguar hide or other rare animals also taxed.

Question 3

Templo Mayor - The great temple of the Mexica

Answer 3

Continually remodelled to be larger by later rulers. It’s purpose was to pay tribute to the layers of the universe and it had twin temples dedicated to twk main deities: Tlaloc and Huitzilopochtli.
The top temples where “God images” were kept which took many forms but were mostly made with precious stones. It was believed that the spirit of the deity depicted resided in the art object so the interactions with these objects were highly meaningful, like Darshana in Hinduism. (Shared gaze)

Question 4

The Aztec Solar Stone

Answer 4

Question 5

What were Aztec beliefs on sacrifice

Answer 5

Question 6

Brief History of Spanish invasion

Answer 6