Introduction:
Are you in need of a unique vacation spot? I recommend a trip to the ancient Aztec city of Tenochtitlan! It has several interesting places to visit and is a great place to find insight on the Aztec culture and society. There are a couple things you should know before leaving, however, such as commerce, culture, location in trade, religious influences, reasons for growth, and innovations. So what are you waiting for? Book a trip now!
Commerce:
Tenochtitlan had a specialized economy based primarily on trade. It was ironic because most of their trading partners were their enemies, such as the Tarascan Empire. However, they set aside their conflict to help build their economies and generate wealth. The Aztecs in Tenochtitlan sold them obsidian, and they provided a source for bronze and copper goods. Obsidian blades were common in Tenochtitlan and were used as razors, sickles, scrapers, drills, arrow heads, and knives. Items such as these were sold in the markets that were regulated by the government. The main interactions among the peoples occurred in these markets. Definantly a must-see part of the city! Even though trade was technically a barter system, the society used cotton textiles and cacao beans as an unofficial form currency. Items commonly traded include: jaguar skins, tropical bird feathers, rubber, cotton, chocolate, beans, and maize. Experiencing the city's commerce will give you a sense of what it was like to be an aztec citizen in post-classical Tenochtitlan.
Culture and Soceity:
When you visit Tenochtitlan, make sure you are aware of the social structure that exists. At the top of this caste system are nobles, warriors, merchants, priests, and tax collectors. At the bottom, however, are serfs, indentured servants, and slaves. The Aztec people spoke a language called Nahuatl, so I would learn that beforehand. A lot of the city’s culture evolved around religion, and rituals as well as sacrifices were held at the temples. Women in ancient had some power and influence. Although they had household duties, they also participated in markets and some served as teachers and priestesses.
Location on the Post-Classical Trade Networks:
Because the Tenochtitlan was isolated from most of the world, they created trade networks with nearby empires and their own conquered lands in the Mexican Valley. This trade was regulated and carried out by their class of merchants who doubled as spies, also known as Pochteca. The merchants where therefore a crucial part of the Aztec empire.
Religious Influences:
The Aztecs believed they were the chosen people of the sun and war god Huitzilopochtli. They decided to build Tenochtitlan when they saw an eagle perched on a cactus devouring a snake and thought it was a sign. They built the great pyramid which was then used for rituals. The people had a polytheistic religion and believed in many animal gods. Human sacrifice was very common as a gift for the gods, so be careful on your vacation!
Reasons for Growth:
The Aztec empire expanded out from Tenochtitlan. Kings, such as Moctezuma the first, conquered nearby lands in order to grow. It was through this military conquering that trade was established among the empire which helped the Aztec society unify as a whole. With this growth, the Aztecs also became a lot stronger and wealthier.
Innovations:
The people of Tenochtitlan are very well-known for their invention of rubber. You may notice this when visiting because many of their tools and other products are made from this material. Also, they invented an early form of paper for this region of the world from fig trees. In addition to both of these innovative technologies, they also had several of their own new types of medicine. This will be helpful if you get sick on vacation!
Bibliographical Citations:
https://sites.google.com/site/tenochtitlanproject/economy-and-trade
http://www.mexconnect.com/articles/1925-the-post-classic-period-900-1521-part-2-the-aztecs
https://sites.google.com/site/rodriguez207/Home/600-1450
http://www.aztec-history.com/ancient-aztec-government.html
~ By: Emma Maisel
Are you in need of a unique vacation spot? I recommend a trip to the ancient Aztec city of Tenochtitlan! It has several interesting places to visit and is a great place to find insight on the Aztec culture and society. There are a couple things you should know before leaving, however, such as commerce, culture, location in trade, religious influences, reasons for growth, and innovations. So what are you waiting for? Book a trip now!
Commerce:
Tenochtitlan had a specialized economy based primarily on trade. It was ironic because most of their trading partners were their enemies, such as the Tarascan Empire. However, they set aside their conflict to help build their economies and generate wealth. The Aztecs in Tenochtitlan sold them obsidian, and they provided a source for bronze and copper goods. Obsidian blades were common in Tenochtitlan and were used as razors, sickles, scrapers, drills, arrow heads, and knives. Items such as these were sold in the markets that were regulated by the government. The main interactions among the peoples occurred in these markets. Definantly a must-see part of the city! Even though trade was technically a barter system, the society used cotton textiles and cacao beans as an unofficial form currency. Items commonly traded include: jaguar skins, tropical bird feathers, rubber, cotton, chocolate, beans, and maize. Experiencing the city's commerce will give you a sense of what it was like to be an aztec citizen in post-classical Tenochtitlan.
Culture and Soceity:
When you visit Tenochtitlan, make sure you are aware of the social structure that exists. At the top of this caste system are nobles, warriors, merchants, priests, and tax collectors. At the bottom, however, are serfs, indentured servants, and slaves. The Aztec people spoke a language called Nahuatl, so I would learn that beforehand. A lot of the city’s culture evolved around religion, and rituals as well as sacrifices were held at the temples. Women in ancient had some power and influence. Although they had household duties, they also participated in markets and some served as teachers and priestesses.
Location on the Post-Classical Trade Networks:
Because the Tenochtitlan was isolated from most of the world, they created trade networks with nearby empires and their own conquered lands in the Mexican Valley. This trade was regulated and carried out by their class of merchants who doubled as spies, also known as Pochteca. The merchants where therefore a crucial part of the Aztec empire.
Religious Influences:
The Aztecs believed they were the chosen people of the sun and war god Huitzilopochtli. They decided to build Tenochtitlan when they saw an eagle perched on a cactus devouring a snake and thought it was a sign. They built the great pyramid which was then used for rituals. The people had a polytheistic religion and believed in many animal gods. Human sacrifice was very common as a gift for the gods, so be careful on your vacation!
Reasons for Growth:
The Aztec empire expanded out from Tenochtitlan. Kings, such as Moctezuma the first, conquered nearby lands in order to grow. It was through this military conquering that trade was established among the empire which helped the Aztec society unify as a whole. With this growth, the Aztecs also became a lot stronger and wealthier.
Innovations:
The people of Tenochtitlan are very well-known for their invention of rubber. You may notice this when visiting because many of their tools and other products are made from this material. Also, they invented an early form of paper for this region of the world from fig trees. In addition to both of these innovative technologies, they also had several of their own new types of medicine. This will be helpful if you get sick on vacation!
Bibliographical Citations:
https://sites.google.com/site/tenochtitlanproject/economy-and-trade
http://www.mexconnect.com/articles/1925-the-post-classic-period-900-1521-part-2-the-aztecs
https://sites.google.com/site/rodriguez207/Home/600-1450
http://www.aztec-history.com/ancient-aztec-government.html
~ By: Emma Maisel