Aztecs Question Flashcards
Why were mountains considered sacred sites?
The Aztecs believed that the closer they were to the sky or the higher they were, they were more physically connected to God. They also built some temples on mountains, as well as their political buildings.
Why did the Aztecs choose to make their home where they did?
For religious reasons. Their God had told them that if they found an eagle on a cactus eating a snake that would be their permanent settlement and there, they would gain more power and authority. They wondered for 200 years before they found an eagle perched on a prickly cactus eating a snake in the middle of Lake Texcoco where they built their home.
Describe the landscape, including geography and
climate.
The Aztecs decided to settle on an island in the middle of a lake called Lake Texcoco. This would have been a strategic location if not for the fact that they were completely surrounded by saltwater that could easily harm them. Surrounding the lake on both sides were mountains that blocked them off from the rest of the world. They were located in what is now known as the Mexico Valley. The climate there was mostly warm because it was usually desert but they had occasional floods.
Mexico’s landscape includes deserts, mountains, tropical forests, ranchland, rich farmland, and sea coasts on the west and east. Mexico is found in mesoamerica and has a desert-like climate along with tropical coastal areas.
What is one benefit of the mountains and what are two drawbacks of the mountains?
ONE BENEFIT:
- They were shielded from the outside world and so no other tribe attacked them.
TWO DRAWBACKS:
-The mountains surrounding them were quite steep so the rainwater slipped down and flooded their lake.
-The rainwater wold also fall and make the soil salty thus harder to grow crops in.
How did the Aztecs use Lake Texcoco to protect them?
Lake Texcoco was obviously surrounded by water, making it relativity hard to cross over and attacked them. The Aztecs built three bridges called causeways, that connected the island to the mainland. In case of an invasion, these bridges could be destroyed so that the enemy may not enter.
Explain two ways the Aztecs altered the geography to help them survive.
- The Aztecs were surrounded by saltwater and the saltwater also affected the surrounding soil. The soil was to salty to grow any crops and could not be used for agriculture. To fix this problem they built something called a Chinampas also known as a “floating garden” This plot of land would be built on top of the water. First they would stick a piece of wood in the ground to create the border of the Chinampas, they would stick it in the ground underneath the water that was probably 6-8 feet tall. Next they would put mud and roots on top of the soil in the water. They would then put a net made out of weeds on top of the soil. Then on top of this net they would put proper soil for farming which they would farm on. These were Chinampas that helped them survive.
- Ironically the Aztecs had no idea how to get their water, since they were surrounded by saltwater. They had discovered how to built adequate. Adequates were water pathways. The Aztecs were creative and built beautiful fountains for this water with their God of Rain watched above. These adequate flowed in fresh water, safe for them to drink and bathe in.
- Aztec engineers built an earthen dam across the lake to the east of the city to provide protection from flooding
Where is modern day Mexico City located?
Mexico City is located in the valley of Mexico.
What are the two Aztec calendars and what three parts make up the Calendars?
The solar calendar. This was their main calendar called xiuhtlapohualli
The sacred calendar.
The months, the days and the weeks made up the calendars.
Describe the xiuhtlapohualli calendar in 2-3 sentences.
xiuhtlapohualli, also known as the sun calendar, was the main calendar used by the Aztec people. This calendar consisted of 365 days and existed long before the Europeans discovered there were 365 days in a year. This calendar controlled agricultural activities and also determined market days for the Aztecs.
Describe the tonalpohualli calendar in 2-3 sentences.
tonalpohualli, also known as the sacred calendar, determined activities associated with religion. Such as when religious rituals and sacrifices should take place. Each day on this calendar can be associated with good or evil. The Aztecs were named after the day they were born on this calendar.
Why do you think time was important to the Aztecs?
I think time was so important to the Aztecs because it determined what months were good for agriculture and which months weren’t. It was important to them because if they didn’t complete stuff on the right day they thought the world would end.
Would the Aztec Sun stone be considered a primary source or secondary source?
I think that the Aztec Sun Stone is a primary source. i think this because people in that culture recorded their own information.
How are the two calendars related?
The two calendars are related because every 52 years the calendars would start on the same day and that would mark the occasion with a great ceremony, known as the great ceremony of fire. They also have symbols that represent days and each day devoted to a god.
What kinds of information is on the Sun stone?
in the center of the stone it represents their sun god, and the tongue represents a sacrificial knife. surrounding the God in the middle are 4 suns. Each sun explains how the world ended 4 times. Surrounding the outside of the circle are two serpents that meet at the end.
How are the calendars similar and or different than the one we use today?
The calendars the Aztecs used are similar to the calendar we used today because their main calendar or sun calendar has 365 days, as does our calendar today. The calendar the Aztecs used and the calendar we use today are different because they had more days in a week and each day was represented by a god.
