The Aztecs Flashcards
What did archaeologists suggest about the Aztecs?
They migrated from modern day Texas in search for food and crop land.
What did the Aztecs believe about where they lived?
God sent them a sign to live there.
What was the sign sent from God?
It was an eagle with a snake in its mouth, perched on a cactus.
What was hard about starting a civilization on a swamp/lake?
It was uneven and they only had a small piece of land in the surrounding marshes. (Water may have been salt water).
What did the Aztecs make the swamp shallow water into?
Chinampas
How did they make island and chinampas?
By piling up mud and reeds in the water.
What was their city’s foundation?
Chinampas
What were chinampas?
Crops used to grow corn, beans, and squash on floating rafts.
What helped the population grow?
Stable food and water sources.
What is the capital of modern day Mexico city?
Tenochtitlan
What did the Aztecs do to overcome water problems?
They planted reeds to absorb the salt and make it fresh water.
What did the Aztecs use as money?
Cocoa beans, feathers, and tools.
What was chocolate viewed as?
A food from the gods.
What happened if you were caught drunk.
The first time caught, you got your head shaved, the second time, you got beaten to death.
What religion were the Aztecs?
Polytheistic
What did the Aztecs believe about caves?
Caves were portals to the afterlife/
What did they believe about how their civilization would die?
They believed the thunder god (white skin and hair on his face) would come and ruin them.
What did the Aztecs do to honor Gods
Festivals and human sacrifice.
What did they believe was the only way for the sun to rise?
Cut open someones heart at the top of the temple.
What happened to Aztec children?
They got thrown into watery caverns and were forced to tread water until death.
