Warm-Up #12

1. Warm-Up #12 • Where was the Aztec Empire located? • Retell the Aztec myth about founding their capital city, Tenochtitlan?

2. Aztec Warfare How did the Aztec’s become so powerful?

3. Triple Alliance • The Aztec civilization was based upon a military alliance between the cities of Tenochtitlan, Texcoco and Tlacopan • They were able to control a large area in central and southern Mexico

4. Military Structure • The bulk of the Aztec army was composed of commoners • The nobility were organized into exclusive warrior societies and ranked by their achievements

5. Why did they fight? • For the Aztecs, religion and war went together. It was basically a much bloodier version of the Maya religion. • The Aztecs went to war to capture enemy soldiers to be sacrificedin religious ceremonies. • One source says that during religious ceremony over 20,000 people were killed in 4 days. • This is probably exaggerated. • Either way, sacrifices were common for the Aztecs. • To make money by conquering enemy city statesand collecting tribute

6. Why Fight cont… • Aztecs played Tlachtli, the Aztec version of Pok a Tok. • Legend says the gods fought for control of man by playing this game. • The losers, and sometimes the winners, would be sacrificed.

7. Flower Wars • Sometimes the Aztecs would set up limited battles where both sides would agree to a set amount of combatants. • The objective of these battles was to provide all sides with enough captives for sacrifice without risking their entire armies

8. Warrior Societies • After capturing four warriors you were eligible to become an Eagle or Jaguar Warrior • The Jaguar warriors wore skins over their bodies • The Eagle warriors wore feathered helmets • The most prestigious society was the “Shorn Ones” who swore not to take a step backwards in battle upon pain of death

9. Weapons and Armor • The Aztecs did not have metal, and made all of their weapons from wood, stone, obsidian and bone • The Aztecs did make use of armor, including helmets and shields