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15 Things To Know About The Aztecs And Their Civilization

Dating back to the 13^th century in the Valley of Mexico is the Aztec civilization. They helped shape the architecture, agriculture, medicine, and other industries in Mexico during their era and beyond.

Additionally, they left marks to be remembered throughout world history. The Tenochtitlan (today鈥檚 Mexico City), the Nahuatl language, and their unique farming techniques are a few of the traces of the Aztec civilization available in the modern day.

What鈥檚 more, though the Aztec Empire was overthrown during the 16th-century Spanish conquest, parts of the community鈥檚 heritage are still passed down from generation to generation. Read on to discover more.

Here are the 15 Things To Know About The Aztecs And Their Civilization.

1. The Aztecs existed between the 13^th to 16^th centuries

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This Mesoamerican community lived in the surrounding regions of Tenochtitlan, which is present-day Mexico City. They occupied the area from around the 13^th century until the 16^th century.

Discover Amazing Facts about Mexico City.

2. The Aztecs’ origin is traced to northern Mexico

As a community, they are grouped among the Nahua-speaking people. They are believed to have come from northwestern Mexico or the Southwestern United States.

Moreover, the first settlers of Nahua in the Basin of Mexico date to around 1250 AD. According to history, the Aztecs were among the last groups of the Nahua to arrive in the Valley of Mexico area.

3. The Aztecs dubbed themselves the Mexica

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They never referred to themselves as Aztecs but the Mexica. The name Aztec originates from the word Aztl谩n which has various translations. It means 鈥淲hite Land,鈥� and is also a correct translation of 鈥淟and of White Herons,鈥� or 鈥淧lace of Herons鈥�.

Additionally, the German explorer Alexander Von Humboldt is credited with popularizing the term during the 19^th century. It was a general reference used to classify the people associated with the Mexica state through any links such as trade, customs, religion, and language.

4. They spoke the Nahuatl language which lives to date

Classical Nahuatl is associated with the Aztec and Toltec civilizations of Mexico. Around the 7th century AD, Nahuatl became the lingua franca in many parts of Mesoamerica.

The language remained supreme until the 16th century when the Spanish language took over. In the modern-day Valley of Mexico, dialects of Nahuatl are spoken and they have a close relationship to classical Nahuatl.

Learn about the Historic Center of Mexico City.

5. The capital of the Aztec empire was Tenochtitlan

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Tenochtitlan which is modern-day Mexico City was established in 1325 C.E (Common Era or Christian era). It became the ancient capital of the Aztec Empire.

Furthermore, the Aztecs believed that their god Huitzilopochtli was crucial to their migration process. He directed them from their Aztlan homeland until they reached the island in Lake Texcoco.

Through mythology, Aztecs founded Tenochtitlan on the island of Lake Texcoco because they viewed it as a prophecy from their god. They saw an eagle perched on a cactus holding a snake in its beak and believed it was a prophecy. Thus they founded Tenochtitlan and the eagle holding a snake became the Mexican flag emblem.

6. The Aztec architecture is evident in this age

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Their magnificent architecture is seen in different structures such as the pyramids, temples, ball courts, plazas, and cities they build. The Templo Mayor, Pyramid of the Sun, Temples of Teopanzolco, Great Pyramid of Cholula, Tulum ruins, and more are some of the preserved heritage sites.

7. The Aztec civilization contributed to the mathematics field

They used symbols such as hearts, arrows, and arms that served as fractions. Hence with such symbols, they made calculations of things like the area of parcels of land.

8. They invented a specialized calendar

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According to the Library of Congress (LOC), the Aztec calendar had 260 days consisting of 13 months each having 20 days. This calendar dictated the life of Aztec society. For instance, the priests used it to come up with conducive days for significant events such as weddings.

9. Aztecs pioneered the chinampa farming system

Farmers in the Aztec Empire implemented the chinampas system of farming to counter the Tenochtitlan swampy environment. The technique was often practiced in Mesoamerican agriculture.

To add on, chinampa entails growing plants in a small piece of fertile arable land which is many times rectangular in shape. Further, the land is raised on shallow lake beds. It is still practiced in today鈥檚 southern Mexico, especially around Xochimilco鈥檚 lake area.

Check out Facts about Xochimilco.

10. Their religion was never a monotheistic affair

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The Aztec religion was focused on many different gods and goddesses. They believed these deities dictated their daily living as well as were responsible for many aspects of the universe. Influencing factors such as weather, agriculture, fertility, and war.

11. Aztec civilization prioritized home and school education

All children needed to receive home and school learning. From an early age, the parents were tasked with instilling practical skills in the children at home.

On top of that, the boys went with their fathers to engage in activities of trade, craft, farming, hunting, and fishing. The girls were taught by their mothers the aspects of managing a household.

This homeschooling took place from around the age of four/five until fourteen years. During this time, the children were also taught the sayings or mannerisms of the community centered on humility, obedience, and hard work virtues.

Afterward, the children joined separate schools. The boys were independent of the girls and vice versa. These schools were grouped in either the noble school (calmecac) or the commoners鈥� school (telpochcalli).

12. Aztec civilization embraced a defined social system

They promoted the caste system. At the top of the hierarchy were the nobles, and at the bottom were servants and enslaved workers.

13. Aztecs had quite the skills in medicine

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Their civilization had a vast knowledge base, beliefs, and rituals relating to human health and sickness. They developed a diverse inventory of medicinal herbs and plants. They also performed surgeries, and rituals in some instances to cure the sick.

14. The Aztec civilization warriors were respected for heroic deeds

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Besides trade and agriculture, the economy of the Aztec Empire also thrived on tribute from conquered enemies during war. Hence the warriors were honored for their outstanding performance during war times.

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15. Their downfall came with the Spanish conquest

During the 16^th century, the Spanish-Aztec War that occurred between 1519 to 1521 led to the Spanish conquest. Thus the Aztec Empire collapsed.

The Aztec civilization is a legacy that lives on. Even after the Spanish conquest, some aspects of the Aztec civilization are reminders of the community鈥檚 way of life in the modern day. Aztec architecture and the chinampa farming system are examples of the culture and traditions of the Aztecs present in the modern day.