Where did they live?
They lived in many places in what is now Central America, but their main city was Tenochtitlan. Tenochtitlan was a city-state of the Aztec empire and was located on an island in Lake Texoco in modern-day Mexico. It flourished from its founding in 1325 until its conquering by the Spanish in 1521.
Aztecs Economy
Even though Aztec society became very urban, their economy was based mainly on agriculture and trade, which was provided by the citizens in outlying lands. The Aztecs utilized all arable land, and practiced advanced agronomy techniques, such as crop rotation. Another example is the chinampa farming system; beds of reeds were placed in a lake, covered with soil, and then cultivated. This way, not only did they farm the land, but also reclaimed the water, which provided constant nourishment for the crops.
The market was where farmers and craftsmen presented their goods to about 60,000 village and city residents a day. Goods were bartered, as there was no known currency. There is also evidence of trade with other Mesoamerican cultures; merchants traveled via rivers and the Pacific to the lands of other tribes. The productivity and ingenuity of the Aztecs in these areas saw their wealth and population grow rapidly.
Aztec society was based on a hierarchy of four classes. On the top rested the nobles, then the commoners, then serfs, and finally the slaves. Commoners, mainly farmers, were the majority of the population. The serfs lived and farmed off the land of the nobles. The slaves were treated as property, but unlike in European society, slavery was not racially based. Aztec slaves were generally prisoners of war or criminals. Unlike other cultures, one was not stuck in one class for one's whole life; one had the possibility, mainly through bravery in battle, to rise through the ranks, even if one was a slave.
The market was where farmers and craftsmen presented their goods to about 60,000 village and city residents a day. Goods were bartered, as there was no known currency. There is also evidence of trade with other Mesoamerican cultures; merchants traveled via rivers and the Pacific to the lands of other tribes. The productivity and ingenuity of the Aztecs in these areas saw their wealth and population grow rapidly.
Aztec society was based on a hierarchy of four classes. On the top rested the nobles, then the commoners, then serfs, and finally the slaves. Commoners, mainly farmers, were the majority of the population. The serfs lived and farmed off the land of the nobles. The slaves were treated as property, but unlike in European society, slavery was not racially based. Aztec slaves were generally prisoners of war or criminals. Unlike other cultures, one was not stuck in one class for one's whole life; one had the possibility, mainly through bravery in battle, to rise through the ranks, even if one was a slave.
Society
The Aztec Empire was advanced in agriculture. They used artificial islands to grow their crops. This was called floating gardens or chinampas. The islands were usually 15 to 30 feet big. With this technique their crops would get plenty of water so they would not have to water them as often.
The Incan Empire used a farming technique called terrace. This is when they cut into the mountain creating what looks like huge steps. These steps are now flat and not pointing downhill so they are able to farm on them. The Inca were also very advanced in their engineering skills. The Incas had a complex system of roads uniting its Empire through the Andes Mountains. The Inca Empire had to build their road through the Andes Mountains so they had to go up and down the hills/mountains which made it much harder.
The Incan army was the best organized of its time, in the 15th and 16th centuries. It consisted of several battalions organized in often large scale numbers. Warriors wore tunics, often with checkered patterns, the army's standard dress. They used several weapons
The Incan Empire used a farming technique called terrace. This is when they cut into the mountain creating what looks like huge steps. These steps are now flat and not pointing downhill so they are able to farm on them. The Inca were also very advanced in their engineering skills. The Incas had a complex system of roads uniting its Empire through the Andes Mountains. The Inca Empire had to build their road through the Andes Mountains so they had to go up and down the hills/mountains which made it much harder.
The Incan army was the best organized of its time, in the 15th and 16th centuries. It consisted of several battalions organized in often large scale numbers. Warriors wore tunics, often with checkered patterns, the army's standard dress. They used several weapons
Agricuture in the Aztecs
In the days of the empire, Aztec agriculture was a lot more complex that growing a few stalks of maize. The remarkable farming practices of the peoples in central Mexico has been studied and admired ever since.
Prior to the Spanish conquest of Mexico, Aztec society ruled the central Mexico, built on the foundations of Mesoamerica. Aztec society was highly structured and complex, and the political emphasis was working as a larger unit with smaller parts that worked together.
Just as other aspects of this society, Aztec agriculture was highly developed, and has become famous in studies of history. From the chinampas to the terrace crops grown, the Aztecs planned and organized their farming and worked for the benefit of the culture.
Prior to the Spanish conquest of Mexico, Aztec society ruled the central Mexico, built on the foundations of Mesoamerica. Aztec society was highly structured and complex, and the political emphasis was working as a larger unit with smaller parts that worked together.
Just as other aspects of this society, Aztec agriculture was highly developed, and has become famous in studies of history. From the chinampas to the terrace crops grown, the Aztecs planned and organized their farming and worked for the benefit of the culture.
Chinampas
Chinampas Aztec agriculture in the heart of the empire used chinampas for their crops. Chinampa is a method of farming that used small, rectangular areas to grow crops on the shallow lake beds in the Mexican valley. Chinampas were essentially artificial islands created for the crops.
Aztec farming has become most famous because of the brilliant chinampas system that Aztec farmers used. Certainly there were a number of techniques used in the Aztec empire. But with the great city of Tenochtitlan built on swampy but rich ground, the chinampas became key to the food production of the people.
Chinampas were, of course, not just used for the capitol city, but throughout the Valley of Mexico around the lake bed. As the empire grew, more sources of food were required. At times this meant conquering more land, other times it meant expanding the chinampa system.
Aztec farming has become most famous because of the brilliant chinampas system that Aztec farmers used. Certainly there were a number of techniques used in the Aztec empire. But with the great city of Tenochtitlan built on swampy but rich ground, the chinampas became key to the food production of the people.
Chinampas were, of course, not just used for the capitol city, but throughout the Valley of Mexico around the lake bed. As the empire grew, more sources of food were required. At times this meant conquering more land, other times it meant expanding the chinampa system.
Aztecs Arts
Art in the Aztec empire, like its culture and religion, came from a long history - a history of many different tribes. Techniques and themes in Aztec art were influenced by hundreds, perhaps thousands of years of artistry in this part of the world.