HIST1083 Lecture Notes - Lecture 5: Lake Texcoco, Itzcoatl, Tepanec
Document Summary
Originated as a nomadic tribe in northern mexico. Mesoamerica = the south-central region of pre-columbian mexico. Aztecs came just after (may have caused the fall of) the toltecs. Founded city where an eagle was sitting on a cactus on the southwest border of lake texcoco. Found tenochtitlan in 1325-->had 140k people in its height. Grew maize (corn), beans, squashes, potatoes, tomatoes, and avocados. Had intensive cultivation of land and irrigation methods. Fished and hunted local animals-->rabbits, armadillos, snakes, coyotes, and wild turkey. Under itzcoatl, formed alliance with texcocans and the tacubans to defeat the powerful tepanec and conquer their capital (azcapotzalco) Montezuma i is itzcoatl successor, remembered as father of aztec empire. By early 16th century, ruled 500 small states and 5-6 million people. Top were nobles, bottom were serfs, indentured servants, and slaves. Faith was similar to other mesoamerican religion (i. e. mayans)-->human sacrifices. European invasion and fall of the aztec civilization.
