Childrens Illustrated Encyclopedia

60

More than 700 years ago a civilization was born in what is now Mexico. the

aztecs, founders of this civilization, were the last native american rulers of Mexico.

they were a wandering tribe who arrived in the Mexican Valley during the 13th

century. the olmecs and toltecs had already

established civilizations in this area, and

influenced the aztecs. over the next

200 years, the aztecs set up a mighty

empire of some 12 million people.

the aztecs believed that the world

would come to an end unless they

sacrificed people to their sun

god, huitzilopochtli. they

built pyramids and temples

where they sacrificed

prisoners from the cities

they had conquered.

In 1519, spanish

conquistadors

(adventurers) arrived in

Mexico and defeated the

aztecs. Moctezuma II, last

of the aztec emperors,

was killed by his

own people,

and the aztec

empire collapsed.

Aztecs

huMan sacrIfIces

aztec priests used knives with

stone blades to kill up to 1,000

people each week, offering the

hearts to their sun god,

huitzilopochtli.

Ceremonial

jade mask

aztec artIsts

the aztecs made beautiful jewelry using

gold, turquoise, pearls, shells, and feathers.

they also used other valuable stones,

such as obsidian and jade.

Temple precinct

at Tenochtitlán

Causeway

Find out more

conquistadors

south america

south america, history of

Aztec pyramid with temple at the top

The bodies of sacrificed

victims were thrown

to the ground.

Victim being

sacrificed on top

of the temple.

Preaching

priest

tenochtItlán

the aztec capital, called tenochtitlán, was a “floating city,” built in

lake texcoco, on one natural and many artificial islands. to reach

the mainland, the aztecs built causeways (raised roads) and canals

between the islands. today Mexico city stands on the site.

trIbutes

the aztecs became very

rich by collecting tributes

(payments) from conquered

tribes. cloth, corn, pottery,

and luxury goods were

brought to tenochtitlán from

the conquered cities by porters,

and exchanged in four huge

markets. officials made lists of all

the tributes in picture writing. the

aztecs declared war on any tribe

that refused to pay tribute.

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