Aztec Civilization

Aztec Civilization

The Aztecs were very unique in every aspect of life. Their civilization, in my opinion was one of the best, based on their social structure, advanced farming, and architecture. They were a very important contribution to our modern world.
The Aztec Indians, who are known for their domination of southern and central Mexico, are believed to have migrated from Azatlan, the homeland of the north. The group that eventually founded the Aztec Empire, the Mexica, migrated to the Valley of Mexico in the middle of the 13th century. As late arrivals, the Mexica, a hunter-gatherer people, were forced by other groups in the valley to take refuge on two islands near the western shore of Lake Texcoco, one of the five lakes in the area. The Mexica believed in a certain legend, which says that they would establish a great civilization in a marshy area, where they would first see a cactus growing out of a rock with an eagle perched on the cactus while eating a snake. After the Mexica arrived at the swampy site on the shore of Lake Texcoco, their priests proclaimed that they had seen the promised land. The site turned out to be a strategic location, with abundant food supplies and waterways for transportation. The Aztecs built great cities and developed a complex social, political, and religious structure
        Aztec society was highly structured, based on agriculture, and guided by a religion that spread through every aspect of life. The Aztecs worshiped gods that represented natural forces that were vital to their agricultural economy. Aztec cities were dominated by giant stone pyramids topped by temples where human sacrifices were dedicated to the gods. Aztec art was primarily an expression of religion, and even warfare, which increased the empire’s wealth and power. It also served the religious purpose of providing captives to be sacrificed.
By the year 1325 their capital city was finished. Tenochtitlan was the center of the Aztec world. The marvels of...