Aztecs Chapter 8 Flashcards
Define omen.
A sign of something going to happen.
Define ocelot.
A nocturnal wildcat that has a greyish or yellow coat and black spots.
Define calpolli.
Units of organization in Aztec society.
Define artisan.
A skilled craftworker.
Define quetzal.
A brilliantly coloured bird that lives in the tropical rainforests of Central and South America.
Define Calmecac.
The Aztec school for nobles.
Define Telpochcalli.
The Aztec school for commoners.
Define glyphs.
Pictures or symbols used in writing.
Define retributive justice.
Dealing with law-breakers by punishing them.
Define restorative justice.
Dealing with a law-breaker by requiring the offender to repair the harm done.
What was the Aztec school for nobles called?
Calmecac.
What was the Aztec school for commoners called?
Telpochcalli.
Dealing with law-breakers by punishing them.
Retributive justice.
Dealing with law-breakers by requiring the offender to repair the harm done.
Restorative justice.
What was the Aztec society based on? (2) Guided by? (1)
- Agriculture.
- Trade.
- Religion.
What was the Aztec society with regards to structure?
Highly structured.
What was the Aztec society dominated by?
Pyramids topped with temples where human sacrifices provided the gods with human blood.
What were the pyramids and temples good for?
This was where human sacrifices were made to provide the gods with human blood.
Who was Moctezuma?
A great and powerful leader of the Aztecs.
What signs did Moctezuma see? (3)
- Lake Texococo turned red as blood.
- Threat of the 5th sun being destroyed by earthquakes.
- The star serpent (meteor).
What did the Aztecs call meteors?
Star serpents.
What did the meteor that Moctezuma saw mean?
That the Aztec empire would fall; death and destruction.
What were the two major social classes?
- Nobles.
2. Commoners.
Could you move up ranks in society?
Yes.
How could you move up ranks in society?
Warriors could rise to the greatest levels even if they were only a poor peasant to begin. Then, you could become an emperor because they were chosen from the nobles.
What is another name for the Emperor?
“Great Speaker”.
How was the Emperor treated?
Like a god, even though the people realized he was a human.
What was the Emperor given?
Every possible privilege and luxury.
Could you question the Emperor?
No one questioned the Emperor.
Where did the Emperor live?
In a magnificent palace with private gardens and zoos.
What did the servants of the Emperor do when he was out in public?
Servants carried him when out in public, while other servants swept the streets ahead of his arrival.
What were the responsibilities of the Emperor? (3)
- Chief priest.
- Commander-in-chief.
- Head of state.
What were the critical qualities of the Commander of the Army? (3)
- He himself was a skilled warrior.
- Excellent knowledge of military strategy.
- A great leader; knows how to lead others.
- He himself was a skilled warrior.
- Excellent knowledge of military strategy.
- A great leader; knows how to lead others.
Were the qualities of…
The Commander of the Army.
What did being the Head of State look like? (3)
- Asked for advice from his council of priests and nobles.
- Ultimate decision-maker.
- Responsible for the good of the entire empire.
Who is the number one in the nobility class?
The Emperor.
Explain which social class came after which. (Top to bottom.)
Emperor -> nobility + priests -> merchants, artisans, soldiers -> farmers, fishers, women -> slaves.
How were the Aztecs expected to conduct themselves? What happened if they didn’t?
In an exemplary way. They were punished more severely if they were disobedient.
How much of the population were the nobles?
10-15%.
What were the characteristics of the nobles? (2)
- Very wealthy.
2. Had a lot of political power.
Who could study to become a priest?
Boys from all classes.
What was the most important job of a priest?
To offer human sacrifices to the gods.
Could men in the priesthood marry?
No.
Could women become priests?
Yes.
What was the job of female priests?
Female priests received specific jobs worshipping goddesses.
Which was the middle class?
The commoners.
How could commoners improve their status?
By gaining recognition in the military or by becoming a priest, merchant, artisan or trader. The best way to get recognized and move up in society was by achieving success on the battlefield.
How were warriors seen?
As equals to the nobility.