Aztecs

5 Pages 1369 Words

Aztecs By: Josef E-mail: Dxyster@aol.com The Aztecs Around 1168 AD, a Nahua tribe called the Aztecs left their mysterious homeland known as Aztlán and migrated south to Central Valley. At first the Aztecs were practically enslaved by the other Nahua tribe, but they continued to struggle for power. By the 1300's the Aztecs had founded two different settlements on Islands in lakes. These places are known as Tlaltetalco and Tenochtitlán. By the 15th century Tenochtitlán was the center of the Aztec world. By the 16th century Tenochtitlán dominated all the other cities in Central Valley. The middle of the Aztec Empire was near the Lerma River. This plateau is made up of five different sections; the volcanic axis lies across the southern part of the plateau. This area still has active volcanoes; they receive a lot of rain and have fertile soil. The bajio is located just north of the volcanic axis; it has an average elevation of 7,000 feet. This is where the Aztec capital Tenochtitlán was located. Accounting for more than half of the plateau is the Mesa Del notre. The Mesa Del notre has an average elevation of 9,000 feet. Along the western ridge of the plateau is the Sierra Madre Occidental. The Sierra Madre Occidental is a long mountain chain that protected the Aztecs from outside invaders. Along the eastern side of the plateau is the Sierra Madre Oriental. The Aztec capital receives anywhere between 30 - 50 cm. Temperatures range from 10 - 15 degrees centigrade in winter, to 20 - 25 degrees centigrade in summer. Aztec society was divided into three classes, the slaves, the common people, and the nobility. The Slave class was mostly made up of criminals and POW's. Slaves could obtain freedom in two ways. The first was to buy it. The second way was to try to escape from their masters. If they reached the royal palace without being caught, they were immediately given their freedom. The commoners, also known as the Maceualtin were given own...