History of Aztec culture: who they were, economy, society

In the vast tapestry of Mesoamerican history, the Aztecs stand out as a civilization whose greatness and legacy endure to this day. Also known as Mexica, the Aztecs left an indelible mark on the region, from their mythical founding to their collapse before the arrival of the Spanish conquerors.

The Origins of the Aztecs

The history of the Aztecs is intertwined with mythology and reality, forming an epic tale that begins in Aztlán, their mythical land of origin. According to legends, the Aztecs, originally known as Mexica, embarked on a journey in search of their definitive home, guided by the signs of their gods. This journey, steeped in sacrifices and trials, became a symbol of perseverance and determination for the Aztec people.

Aztlán, described as a land of abundance and prosperity in central Mexico, represented the starting point of their migration. The Aztecs, led by their god Huitzilopochtli, embarked on a journey full of adversity and challenges, facing natural dangers and confrontations with other tribes on their way south.

After decades of wandering, the sight of an eagle devouring a snake on a cactus, the symbol that today adorns the Mexican flag, marked the place where they should establish their definitive home. This place was an islet in the middle of Lake Texcoco, where they founded the majestic city of Tenochtitlán in the year 1325.

The founding of Tenochtitlán marked the emergence of a new era for the Aztecs. With impressive engineering, they built canals and dams to control the lake's waters and transformed the inhospitable island into a center of civilization and power. Its architectural and urban achievements surprised the first European explorers who arrived centuries later.

However, the greatness of the Aztecs was not limited to their construction skills. Their culture flourished amid a landscape of dualities, where the earthly and the spiritual were intertwined in a single worldview. Their gods were both protective and demanding, demanding human sacrifices to maintain cosmic balance and ensure the survival of the world.

The Aztecs forged an empire through war and diplomacy, expanding their borders at the expense of neighboring peoples and establishing a network of tribute that fueled their growing power. This territorial expansion not only consolidated their dominance over the region, but also provided them with a solid economic base, fueled by the exchange of goods and products with the subjugated peoples.

Despite their military strength and political ingenuity, the Aztecs were not exempt from internal and external conflicts. Rivalries between the royal houses and tensions with other Mesoamerican cultures often threatened the stability of their empire. These internal divisions, combined with the arrival of the Spanish conquistadors in the 16th century, marked the beginning of the end for Aztec domination in Mesoamerica.

The Aztec Society

Aztec society was organized in a hierarchical structure, with a dominant class made up of nobles, priests and warriors, and a lower class made up of artisans, peasants and slaves. The Aztec nobility was made up of the leaders of the different royal houses, who governed the city-state of Tenochtitlán and its conquered territories. Priests occupied a prominent place in society, as they were responsible for religious rituals and maintaining the relationship with the gods.

The Aztec Worldview

Religion played a central role in the life of the Aztecs. They believed in a pantheon of gods who governed different aspects of the natural and human world. Among its most important deities were Huitzilopochtli, the god of the sun and war, and Tlaloc, the god of rain and fertility. The Aztecs practiced human sacrifice as part of their religious rituals, believing that this would ensure the survival of the world and the well-being of their civilization.

Economy and Agriculture

The Aztec economy was based on agriculture, with a system of terraces and chinampas (artificial islands) that allowed them to make the most of the fertile land around Lake Texcoco. They grew a variety of products, including corn, beans, squash, chiles, and cotton. In addition to agriculture, trade played an important role in the Aztec economy, with exchange networks extending throughout Mesoamerica.

Art and Architecture

The Aztecs were masters of art and architecture, as evidenced by the magnificent structures they built in Tenochtitlán, including temples, palaces, and pyramids. Stone carving and masonry were prominent skills, and their art was adorned with intricate geometric designs and religious motifs. Aztec ceramics were also highly developed, with decorated vessels that reflected the life and beliefs of the culture.

The Aztec Empire

Throughout the 14th and 15th centuries, the Aztecs expanded their empire through a combination of military conquest and political alliances. Using their formidable army and cunning diplomatic strategies, they managed to subdue neighboring peoples and establish a vast empire that spanned much of Mesoamerica. However, this expansion also generated resentment among the subjugated peoples, which would eventually contribute to the fall of the Aztec empire.

The Meeting with the Spanish

In 1519, the Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés arrived on the coasts of Mexico and began his march towards the interior of the country. Taking advantage of the political divisions among the Mesoamerican peoples and the belief in the arrival of a white god, Cortés managed to form alliances with disaffected indigenous groups and advanced towards Tenochtitlán. After a prolonged siege, the city fell to the Spanish in 1521, marking the end of the Aztec empire and the beginning of European colonization in the New World.

The Legacy of the Aztecs

Despite their disappearance as a political entity, the legacy of the Aztecs endures to this day. Its art, architecture, religion and traditions continue to influence Mexican culture and Mexico's national identity. Furthermore, their language, Nahuatl, continues to be spoken by millions of people in Mexico and in indigenous communities throughout the country. The Aztecs have also left an indelible mark on world history, serving as a reminder of the richness and diversity of Mesoamerican civilizations.

The Aztecs, with their rich history, complex society and cultural splendor, remain a source of fascination and admiration in the modern world. Despite its disappearance as an empire, its legacy endures as a testimony to the greatness and complexity of Mesoamerican civilizations. By studying and appreciating the history of the Aztecs, we can gain a deeper understanding of the richness and diversity of human heritage.