The AztecsThe Aztec empire centred on Tenochtitlan (modern Mexico City) embraced nearly all the peoples of central America during the 15th and early 16th centuries. Renowned for their architecture, agriculture, jewellry and textiles, the Aztecs also developed a form of pictographic writing and a complex calendar system. However, they are chiefly, if unfortunately, remembered for their human sacrifices; tearing the heart from the living body to offer to their Sun god. This introduction to one of the world's most fascinating lost civilizations examines its history and culture, and concludes with an account of its violent destruction by the Spaniards in 1521. |
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52-year cycle Acamapichtli Ahuízotl conquers America archaeology Axayácatl Azcapotzalco AZTEC ACCOUNTS Aztec civilisation Aztec Empire Aztec history Aztec society Aztlan Bernal Díaz BRENDA RALPH LEWIS cactus calpulli campaign causeways ceremony Chalco Chapultepec Chimalpopoca chinampas coast Codex Mendoza Coixlahuaca Conquest Cuba Cuitláhuac Culhua Culhuacan culture death Díaz del Castillo died Durán elected feathers fire gods gold Grijalva Gulf of Mexico Huitzilíhuitl Huitzilopochtli human sacrifice imperial Itzcóatl ixiptla labour Lake Texcoco land later Lord macehualtin maguey maize markets Maxtla merchants Mexico City military Montezuma Ilhuacamina Montezuma Xocoytzin Nahuatl nephew Nezahualcóyotl nobility Oklahoma Press Oztoma priests Quahtemoc Quetzalcoatl reign ritual royal ruler of Tlatelolco Sahagún Serpent Spain Spaniards stone SUTTON POCKET HISTORIES Tarascans tecuhtli Temple of Huitzilopochtli Tenochtitlan Tenochtli Tepanec Empire Tepanecs tetecuhtin Tezcatlipoca Tezozómoc Tira Tizoc Tlaloc tlatoani Tlaxcala Toltecs Totonacs trade tribute Triple Alliance Tula Tulsa University of Oklahoma Valley of Mexico Xochimilco Xoyoctzin