The Aztecs :: essays research papers

The AztecsThe Aztec people ruled from the Gulf of Mexico to present day Guatemala. Therecapital city was Tenochititlan.The greatest authoritative force was religion. It was shown in their architectureand sculpture. They also had writing, numbers and a calendar. They had recordeddates for religious holidays.The children were taught respect, courtesy, truthfulness and self control. Aztecboys learned practical tasks from their fathers at home. Then when they reached15 they went to a youth house. There elders taught the boys religion,citizenship, history, traditions and art. They also learned war.Girls could also learn to be priestesses in temple schools.The Aztecs were divided into tribes that were dived into clans. Each clan hadits own officials that equal them at tribal meetings.The land was dived up by the tribes. They controlled the land but the peasantsfarmed it having to give some of it to the chiefs and priests.The Aztecs worshipped a host of gods that represented nature. To w in the gods charge they performed rituals and offered penance. Human sacrifice played animportant role. Since life was a mans most valued possession it was the bestthing to offer up to the gods. As the Aztec conglomerate grew so did the humansacrifice.Sometimes the Aztecs performed cannibalism, believing they absorb the virtues ofthe slain. The sacrificed people were thought to be given a high place in heaven.The average Aztec was a farmer. He lived outside the city and grew crops for histribe. Farming was the most important means of survival due to the warm, humidclimate. They lived in small huts. The male was the head of the family. He wouldoften arrange marriages for their children. The language they spoke was theNahuan language that originated from the west coast of the united states. Theywore elaborate colorful clothing made from animal skins that were traded from