Chapter 7-8 Flashcards
What is and aqueduct?
a channel used to move water usually supported on a bridge structure.
What is a Chinampa?
Floating islands built in water to grow crops.
Wha is an omen?
A sign that something is going to happen.
What is an ocelot?
A wildcat with a greyish or yellow coat with black spots.
What is conscription?
mandatory military service.
What are glyphs?
Pictures or symbols used in writing.
What is retributive justice?
Dealing with law breakers by punishing them,
What is restorative justice?
Dealing with law breakers by requiring the offender to repair the harm done.
What are codices?
Aztec books made of deerskin and treebank that contained images and records. The Book folded like an accordion.
According to the Aztecs what two landscapes did the world consist of?
The physical and the sacred.
What are the pros and cons of being surrounded by mountains?
Pros: Isolation and protection from enemies
Cons: Mountains caused flash fooding
Mountains kept the clouds out so there was less rain and fresh water was more scare.
What ways did the Aztecs alter there environment for their own good?
- They built barriers to prevent flooding of the lake
- They built aquaducts to turn the lake water drinkable
- Built cosways to connect them to the mainland ( could destroy cosways if enemies were attacking to cut them off from the island)
- Built Chinampas so they didn’t have to make room for farmland. The land was not suitable for farming because they were on a swampy island.
Who were the Aztec gods and what did they believe they were responsible for?
Hultzilpoca
- god that encouraged the Aztecs to settle in the valley of mexico
- the aztecs sacrificed human blood to him so the sun would rise the next day
- possessed war like aspects
Tezocatipoca
- he was the most powerful of the gods
- could see visions of the future
- his name means smoking mirrors
- he was known as the lord of the night sky
Quetzalcoatl
- he was known as the god of the wind
- he was offered flowers, insence , and birds
- it was believe that he left the valley of mexico after a fight with another god. It was prophosized that he would return in the year “one reed” and bring destruction to the aztec empire.
Tlalco
-he was the god of rain
- could unleash deadly floods or could prevent rain from falling for years
- he could cause drought and famine
- it was believed that he controlled the survival of the aztecs
What was the aztecs worldview?
- Very religious, believed they had to please the gods or the sun would not rise the next day and they would be punished, they showed their respect by sacrifice
- education was valued, is was important for everyone to go to school
- their society was a hierarchy
- they believed in the good of society, it was more important to benefit to society than it was to benefit an individual
What was the main goal of aztec education?
To turn people into good responsible citizens and prepare them to be contributing members of society.
What roles could women hold in aztec society?
- could be doctors or healers
- priestesses
- match makers
- midwives
- served as educators
What were the virtues of aztec society?
- courage
- self-sacrifice
- modesty
- clean living
- obedience
List what caused the destruction of each era?
1) jaguars
2) hurricanes
3) fiery rain
4) flood
5) and it was anticipated the fifth would be destroyed by earthquakes
Why is Mexico sinking?
Mexico city was built on the ruins of Tenochtitilan. To provide people living there with water they use water from beneath the city. They are draining the water and since there are so many people living in Mexico City it is draining faster than it can refill.
List the three areas of responsibility of the empire and the duties under each one?
Commander-in-cheif - leads the army -must be a skilled warrior -know military strategy to lead others Head of state -good of the empire rested on his shoulders - had the final say in all decisions Chief priest - interpreted omens - preformed religious ceremonies ( sacrifice)
List the three most common ways of indicating social structure in aztec society?
- clothing
- jewellery
- location and size of your house
What were some of the advantages of choosing the island as a site for the city?
Isolation
- protection from enemies
- you were able to focus and preserve your culture because you are isolated and there is no other influences around.
Describe the punishments an Aztec could receive for breaking the law?
For minor crimes, large fines and slavery were often the punishment and for serious crimes most often death because they did not have prisons.
Describe the process that was used to decide if an aztec was guilty or inocent?
Commoners laid complaints before judges and noblemen, who studied and recorded the case and tested the truth of each complaint. They sought out witnesses and the made a decision based on evidence they found . If an aztec had a problem with a decision the case could be taken to higher court.
