Aztec (Mexica)

History

The area of Central America which became the Aztec empire had been settled for at least 3000 years before the Spanish arrived in the C16th and even the Catholic friars which they sent to convert the native peoples were impressed by the level of civilization.

The Toltec empire flourished from about AD 900 to its sudden and violent fall around 1170. The powerful capital, Tula or Tollan, controlled a large proportion of what is now the state of Mexico. It was traditionally thought that Toltec warriors conquered the Yucatan peninsula, helping to form the Toltec-Maya states but archaeological investigations are beginning to indicate that there was more of a mutual influence. It is not yet clear why the Toltec collapse came about but there is a theory that the highly military culture was not able to cope with population movements brought by a long period of drought in the northern area. Tula was destroyed by fighting, with buildings showing signs of fire and deliberate demolition having been excavated.

Refugees settled in some of the towns of the southern Valley of Mexico and in the C13th, other tribes came from the north to the central plateau, four of which influenced the rise of the Aztec Empire. These were: the Chichimecs under the legendary leader Xolotl, the Tepanecs who were probably from Toluca, the Acolhua who moved to the uninhabited eastern area and the Mexica, a mixture of several groups who settled on the islands that became the capital, Tenochtitlan. The state of Acolhuacan (Tetzcoco) began to develop during the C13th and C14th.

The term Aztec means 'man of Aztlan', the place where the Mexica came from, but was not commonly used until it was adopted by C18th and C19th historians. The Aztec people called themselves Mexica after the migration and this was how they were known to the Spaniards, hence the name Mexico.

The various groups developed rapidly to form the Aztec empire, based in Lake Tetzcoco around the island cities of Tenochtitlan (where Mexico City is now) and Tlatelolco by the C14th.

As most Mexican rulers had many wives and children, power did not pass automatically from father to eldest son. The next king was elected but the choice was often affected by politics and an important wife had a better chance of having her son chosen.

Tenochtitlan had about 250 000 - 300 000 inhabitants yet it fell to a small force of the Spanish invaders who had arrived in 1519. The Aztec Emperor, Motecuhzoma II (Montezuma), seems to have believed that their leader, Cortes, was the legendary god-king, Quetzlcoatl, returned to claim his kingdom as he had prophesied. He welcomed and honoured the Spaniards but was taken prisoner and forced to surrender although some sources state that he was a guest of the Spanish so he may possibly have done this willingly due to his religious beliefs. Despite this easy victory, fighting broke out during the Toxcatl ceremonies of 1520 after the Spanish had attacked and killed a large group of Aztec lords, and Motecuhzoma was killed. His brother, Cuitlahuac, was elected to take his place. He does not appear to have shared his predecessor's attitude to the invaders and continued to resist until dying of smallpox in December 1520.

After the defection of the city of Tetzcoco early in 1521, the Aztec Empire was substantially weakened and Cortes' men isolated and surrounded Tenochtitlan and Tlatelolco. The new Aztec leader, Cuahutemoc, was captured trying to escape in August 1521 after a three month siege and surrendered to Cortes, bringing an end to the great native civilizations of Mesoamerica.

Mexicans died from disease in huge numbers in the years after the conquest as they were not resistant to many of the illnesses common amongst the Spanish. This and the suppression of Aztec culture and religion by the invaders led to the abandonment of many tradititonal customs. Many of the indigenous inhabitants of the Estados Unidos de Mexico now have Spanish names and are Catholics although some Aztec cults remain.

Aztec names

Male

Female

Name Elements

Pronunciation

In Nahuatl words, the penultimate syllable is always stressed.

Religion

Gods

Goddesses

Calendars

Tehalpohualli (Count Of Days)

This was a 260 day calendar. Each day had a name consisting of a figure from 1 - 13 and one of 20 words. When they were used up, the numbers began again with a different sign. The calendar was recorded in a book called a Tonalamatl. These dates also formed part of most Aztec's names (the leader Quetzlcoatl was known as Ce Acatl after the year of his birth before gaining power).

Xihuitl

Months

These did not always begin on the same day and there were variations within central Mexico as to which one began the year. There were 18, each containing 20 days, in a year with 5 extra days called 'nemomteni' at the end.

Years

These were indicated by 4 day signs : Reed, Flint, House, Rabbit

Every 52 (4 x 13) years there was a renewal ceremony.

Festivals

Rulers

Aztec Emperors (Tlatoani)

Tepanec

Tetzcoco

Cuitlahuac

This collection of names was compiled by Kate Monk and is ©1997, Kate Monk.

Copies may be made for personal use only.