Rise Of The Aztec Empire Essay
Did the Expansion of the Aztec Empire Lead to Their Downfall?
The Aztec Indians originated from a place called Aztlan, somewhere in north or northwest Mexico. At that time the Aztecs were a small, nomadic tribe living in the border territory on the margins of civilized Mesoamerica. (see map
I) In the 13th century they settled in the valley of central Mexico. The Aztecs finally found refuge on a small island in Lake Texcoco, where about 1345, they founded the town of Tenochtitlan. The island was found through a prophecy which said they would settle where they found an eagle perched on a cactus. (see diagram I) During the next century the Aztecs grew to be greatest power in Mexico.
As they grew in political status they became sophisticated …show more content…
Tenochtitlan had been gradually expanding off the island by the invention of floating gardens and by driving piles into the shallow waters of the lake. Two stone aqueducts provided the city drinking water from a nearby spring. Three concrete causeways thirty feet broad connected it with the main land, while to the east of the islands a dike seven miles long had been built across Lake Texcoco, cutting the lake in two and preventing Tenochtitlan from being flooded by any sudden rise in water level. (Soustelle, Jacques) On the southern side of the city was a broad embankment, lit at night by torches, to which came the peasants of the surrounding towns bringing their tribute of maize and fruits and flowers. The Aztec nobles lived in houses of red or white stone which were built around open patios. In Tlateloco, the northern part of the city, was a great marketplace with a paved floor, where the Aztec merchants displayed products from the other peoples of Mexico. Here were honey
The Aztec Indians originated from a place called Aztlan, somewhere in north or northwest Mexico. At that time the Aztecs were a small, nomadic tribe living in the border territory on the margins of civilized Mesoamerica. (see map
I) In the 13th century they settled in the valley of central Mexico. The Aztecs finally found refuge on a small island in Lake Texcoco, where about 1345, they founded the town of Tenochtitlan. The island was found through a prophecy which said they would settle where they found an eagle perched on a cactus. (see diagram I) During the next century the Aztecs grew to be greatest power in Mexico.
As they grew in political status they became sophisticated …show more content…
Tenochtitlan had been gradually expanding off the island by the invention of floating gardens and by driving piles into the shallow waters of the lake. Two stone aqueducts provided the city drinking water from a nearby spring. Three concrete causeways thirty feet broad connected it with the main land, while to the east of the islands a dike seven miles long had been built across Lake Texcoco, cutting the lake in two and preventing Tenochtitlan from being flooded by any sudden rise in water level. (Soustelle, Jacques) On the southern side of the city was a broad embankment, lit at night by torches, to which came the peasants of the surrounding towns bringing their tribute of maize and fruits and flowers. The Aztec nobles lived in houses of red or white stone which were built around open patios. In Tlateloco, the northern part of the city, was a great marketplace with a paved floor, where the Aztec merchants displayed products from the other peoples of Mexico. Here were honey