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The Aztecs were the last characters on the cultural stage of ancient Mexico. They created a splendid Aztec civilization and initiated the most prosperous period of the Aztecs. Let's get a rough understanding of this civilization from a simple understanding of the historical process of the Aztec Empire and its various aspects. The Aztecs are a hunting people who are barren and have no fixed place in the north. Later, they invaded the Mexican valley and conquered the original inhabitants, the Toltecs. Before the Spanish invasion in the 16th century, tenochtitlan, as the center of the Aztec Empire, was one of the most prosperous cities in the world with a population of 2,-3,. Its culture not only has the characteristics of its own nation but also has the characteristics of other tribes, and its religious belief is one of the more obvious aspects. Under the protection of religion, the Aztec economy has developed by leaps and bounds. The development of economy further promoted the development of Aztec education, scientific research, astronomy, calendar, writing and art. The brilliant civilization of the Aztecs was finally destroyed by Spanish colonists, and its history was cut off from now on.

Aztec legend In the Aztec language Nāhuatl, Aztēca' means people from Aztec; However, the Aztecs called themselves Mexi'ca or Tenochca. According to legend, the ancestors of the Aztecs came from a place called Aztec in the north, and they went south to Lake Scocco in the Anahuac valley according to the instructions of the sun's great power, Chiropochtree. When they came to the island in the middle of the lake, they saw an eagle with a snake resting on a cactus, which told them that they should build a city here. In 1325, the Aztecs established Tenochtitlán in this place, a huge artificial island, which is now the center of Mexico City.

[ Edit this paragraph] Searching for Homes

Aztec culture is a part of the ancient Indian civilization in Central America, and the history that can be recorded in more accurate historical materials began in the middle of the 12th century. According to the Oracle, if the Aztecs saw an eagle standing on a cactus and pecking at a snake, that was where they settled. In order to find such a place, they wandered about the plains and highlands of Mexico for two centuries.

In the early 13th century, the Aztecs arrived in the Mexican Basin, where there was a wide lake area with abundant water plants and fertile land, which had already nourished another ancient civilization-the Tortec civilization. Finally, they decided to settle down there. The Aztecs looted the Tortec capital and took control of the Mexican basin.

[ Edit this paragraph] The history of the Aztec Empire

Teotihuacan civilization is a typical urban civilization in ancient Mexican civilization. In about two centuries BC, Teotihuacan took the form of a city, with an area of about 2 square kilometers and a population of about 5,. From 35 to 65 AD, Teotihuacan was the most prosperous period, with a population of about 2,. "death avenue" extends three kilometers to the south, opening up an east-west street. Cross streets divide the city into four parts. The Artel Temple of Ketsarko is in the center of the city. At the northern end of death avenue stands the Moon Pyramid, and there are many temples on both sides of the street, including pyramid of the sun. At the southern end of "death avenue" is Quetzalcoatl Temple. Teotihuacan is an urban society with many classes and occupations, and at that time there was already a sound civilized life. From 65 to 75 AD, this civilization was destroyed. Archaeological evidence shows that this city should be destroyed by a man-made fire.

After the demise of Teotihuacan, a new period of Tortek followed, which was also formed after a long period of cultural exchange and mixed population. The pioneers of these civilizations inherited the characteristics of Teotihuacan civilization and established a new civilization in the valley of Mexico. The Toltecs are mainly composed of foreign tribes. They came to Kulhuakan around the 9th century and established their own capital in Tula.

Later, the Aztecs inherited the Toltec civilization, and combined with their own creation, established the last Indian civilization in the ancient Mexican valley. This is a process of cultural alternation.

As we mentioned earlier, the Aztecs are not the aborigines of the Mexico Valley, but a nomadic people. About 1276 AD, the Aztecs entered the Mexican valley and settled in Chapultepec, chapple. Because of their bellicose nature, they constantly invaded neighboring tribes, which made their neighbors angry. So they joined forces to make a crusade. As a result of the war, the Aztecs were defeated, most of them were captured, and a few people fled to the island. The captured Aztecs were taken to Kulhuakan, a dynasty composed of descendants of Toltecs, and lived under the supervision of the chief of Kulhuakan, Cox Cox. Later, his reputation soared because of his meritorious service in a battle in Kurhuakan. In about 1325 AD, these Aztecs moved to live on an island in Lake Teskoko, and joined the people who had fled here before. Later, the island developed into Tran City, Nociti.

The real development of the Aztecs should begin with their fourth-generation leader, Ites Koatl (1426 ~ 144), and Motecuhzoma Ilhuicamina (Montezuma I) consolidated the rule of the Aztecs. Under the rule of Assaia Cartel (1449 ~ 1481), Tizoc (1481 ~ 1485), Ahuizotl (1486 ~ 152) and Montezuma II (152~152), Aztec

in 1519, the Spanish invaders led by cortes launched a war of conquest against tenochtitlan. According to Spanish records, Montezuma II was stoned to death by his own people. According to Indian history, he was strangled by the Spanish. After the death of Montezuma II, Quedrake succeeded to the throne, but died of smallpox a month later. The last chief was Kuotmok, who organized the defense of tenochtitlan and was hanged by the Spanish four years later.

[ Edit this paragraph] Aztec economy

This religious belief has had a far-reaching impact on social, political and economic life. Under the protection of religion, the Aztec economy has developed by leaps and bounds. The development of economy further promoted the development of Aztec education, scientific research, astronomy, calendar, writing and art.

The worship of gods by the Aztecs was the driving force for the development of Aztec handicrafts at that time. Every family in tenochtitlan has an altar, and all actions are protected by some kind of god. Aztecs often hold religious ceremonies for these gods. People always pray with the most pious attitude and offer their best objects. Every family tries to worship the gods more than before. Therefore, the sacrificial supplies fully demonstrated the best local handicrafts.

At that time, obsidian was the most valuable item, and it was used to make various items, among which the knife used for sacrifice was the most common item, which required high technology and needed to be made thin and sharp. They also used this rock to install eyes for the gods. The most distinctive one should be the obsidian cup carved by the Aztecs. Because obsidian is hard and brittle, it is not easy to make this kind of cup.

The most famous industry in tenochtitlan is feathering. The raw materials are tributes from other places, which are used by craftsmen to make samurai headdresses and shields.

As in religion, the Aztecs also inherited all the excellent cultural traditions in culture, and on this basis, they brought forth the new and carried them forward. In terms of education, they have schools at all levels. Children and teenagers are male and female, and everyone has to go to school and learn. Since childhood, Aztecs have not only received education in nature, history, law, religion, sports, military affairs and science, but also received moral education. And the Aztecs' scientific research has reached a certain level. They have special research on plants, and they have also built botanical gardens to observe the growth process of various plants, study and classify their characteristics and uses, and apply them to medical care, handicraft production, food production and so on. There are four famous botanical gardens in the empire, which are located in tenochtitlan, Iztapalapan, Tescoco and Huaxtepec. Many botanical gardens focus on medicinal botany. Some botanical gardens also have clinics to treat diseases. On the basis of the widespread application of medicinal plants, each tribe has a hospital to treat civilians. In addition, there are some specialized hospitals.

[ Edit this paragraph] The Aztec military

*** three samurai groups: Panther (Tiger Warrior), Eagle Warrior, Bow Warrior, and others: Obsidian Blade Lancer, Skeleton Warrior, etc., and the warriors are very belligerent because of the idea of winning the crown war.

[ Edit this paragraph] Aztec calendar

The Aztecs also made their own calendars quite accurately according to the laws of the sun and the moon and the seasonal changes. There are two calendars: one is the "solar calendar", which divides a year into 18 months and 365 days; 2 days in a month, the remaining 5 days, plus one day in leap year (every four years). The second is the "moon calendar", which lasts for 13 months and 26 days a year; A month is also 2 days. Every 52 years, the two calendars coincide. These two calendars of the Aztecs play an important role in many aspects: first, in agriculture, determine the farming season and guide agricultural production activities; Secondly, in the aspect of chronology, it is used to record the development of history and the occurrence of historical events; Thirdly, in the aspect of sacrifice, we can determine the date of holding sacrifice ceremony to guide people's religious festivals; Finally, in astronomy, we can record the laws of celestial bodies and astronomical phenomena.

[ Edit this paragraph] Aztec astronomy

In astronomy, the Aztecs have a certain understanding of the operation of celestial bodies based on years of observation. They not only measured the time of solar and lunar eclipses, but also recorded the movement cycles and trajectories of some planets that can be observed by the naked eye, such as Mercury, Saturn and Venus. These show that the Aztecs have a high level of mathematics and a set of accurate calculation methods.

[ Edit this paragraph] Aztec script

Like other ancient civilizations, the Aztecs also created hieroglyphs, and they also made paper for writing, thus leaving many ancient books for future generations. Their characters are ideographic and pictographic. For example, burning a temple to show that a place has been conquered; Use an antler to represent a deer. Besides paper, deerskin and cotton cloth are widely used as writing materials. Some are written on stones.

The counting method used by the Aztecs is the decimal method. This method is widely used in their daily bookkeeping, trading and tax registration.

[ Edit this paragraph] The Art of Aztec

In the Aztec period, stone carving was a common technique used to depict characters. These stone carvings are usually gods and goddesses in Aztec mythology. In this rough copying process of male and female gods, it still shows the natural ability of ancient craftsmen to capture the light of characters' lives in this art field.

The Aztecs' painting art is embodied in ancient handwritten books. In order to record historical events, exchange ideas and transmit information, they designed various ideographic figures on paper. The use of color is another artistic feature of the Aztecs. Red and black are the most commonly used among them, and the Aztecs colored manuscripts and sculptures to distinguish different gods.

Aztec religious belief-the great Quetzalcoatl

Among the gods worshipped by Aztecs, the great god who is in charge of the whole Central American civilization-the snake god Kunzokot has an extraordinary influence. It is said that Kunz Ocott is a religious leader. The religion he leads emphasizes light and knowledge, and creates a kind of harmony and balance between man and nature.

In Aztec legends, the original image of Kunzokot is not very clear. People only know that he has gray skin and a beard, and is active among their ancestors, so he is a god with human nature. Some people also describe him as a tall priest, leading a religious sect, ruling a small empire outside the central city of Aztecs, and keeping close contact with Aztecs. In short, in the Aztec legend, Kunzokot represents the power of light and helps the Aztecs to fight against evil forces.

Aztec human sacrifice

Aztecs do eat people. There is no doubt that the existing information introduces the steps of this in detail. As for why Aztecs eat people, I think it's more about cultural traditions than physical needs.

Turkey is one of the main agricultural products of Aztec. According to the records of Telat Locke, a city near the Aztec capital where the Spanish just arrived, there was a big market in that city, and the Spanish were frightened by the variety of goods in the market. Through the Spanish description at that time, we can confirm that there are not only fish (Telat Locke itself is surrounded by lake water), but also all kinds of birds and animals, including rabbits, deer and castrated dogs. The Aztecs, who may like it very much, eat dog meat, which can't bark. Judging from the pottery figurines of this dog made by the Aztecs, it is as fat as a pig. In size, I guess it may be similar to a suckling pig. Having said that, I think I know about the source of animal protein of the Aztecs. They are not short of protein. Considering that they also eat a lot of local insects, this is even less of a problem. Just look at the current Mexican recipes. The Aztec dietary tradition can be seen to some extent. Aztec land is very fertile, and a farmer can support his family for up to seven weeks. I can't see that they will eat people because of famine.

So I believe that Aztecs are different from cannibal tribes. The reason why Aztecs eat people is more of a religious ceremony, or a part of it. Their complicated and tedious cannibalism ceremony deepened my impression. Not everyone in Aztec is qualified to take part in such cannibalism. Such sacrificial activities are mainly concentrated in warriors and businessmen, the two Aztec social classes.

There are many ways to kill people in the Aztec sacrifice ceremony, usually by cutting out the heart with a stone knife, or being beheaded, shot with arrows or javelin. Of course, there are some more civilized ones, which are called "skinning people". I don't know if this title is Aztec slang or belongs to the Spanish conqueror. But it is relatively simple and vividly illustrates the result of this process. Simplicity is sometimes a kind of beauty.