The Aztecs:
The War Machine
Tenochtitlán
was a fabulous city of the Aztec Empire. It was much cleaner than
any city in Europe at the time. The city was built on a small, snake
infested island in the middle of a lake. The Aztecs have a legend
which explains why they chose this remote and unhealthy site upon which
to build thier capital.
An Eagle, sitting on
a cactus eating a snake. This was the prophecy from the Aztec gods.
This spot would become thier homeland. The Aztec travelled in the
desert as nomads for many years before finding such a site. The island
became their home because the surrounding tribes that shared the lake's
many resources, found the Aztecs to be blood thirsty, barbaric, and violently
psychotic people. They simply refused to let them live anywhere else.
The Aztec were oftene
used as mercenary forces by these tribes in thier many disputes.
The Aztec became fierce warriors due to this. It gave them a chance
to take ceremonial captives and to flex thier military muscles. Over
time, they became such great warriors that they were able to conquer thier
neighbors outright. This was the beginning of a long reign of dominance
over what is now central Mexico.
The Aztec created this
city as a fortress, but there are also many religious and domestic buildings
located among the sprawling metropolis. The Spaniards who saw it
for the first time in the 16th century were amazed at it's size and glory.
However, this was not enought to keep them from destroying it. The
Spanish leveled the city. Mexico City is built on the cite of ancient
Tenochtitlán and still, today there is an occasional discovery of
pyramid foundations when city workers, digging water lines or rebuilding
roads, come across massive stone structures beneath the ground. The
lake has been drained, but the city still waters the economy that grows
in Mexico.
See these areas for
more information:
Aztec Pyramids and Buildings
Aztec Mythology
Aztec War Tactics
Aztec Culture and History
Aztec Cool Links
