Cultural Mosaic
The Aztec Diet
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The Aztec diet was made up of mainly maize and beans; agriculturally grown food. Some other grown food included squash, tomatoes, chilies, amaranth, cacti and many fruits like avocado and guava. Hunted or gathered foods such as fish, frogs, insects, amphibians, reptiles and algae called Tecuitlatl that provided a good source of protein, vitamins, and minerals made up a smaller part of the Aztec’s diet. Rabbits, dogs and turkeys were some of the domesticated animals eaten as well.
Aztec Trade
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Although the Aztecs had no metal money used today, they did have a sort of currency. They used cacao beans, which were used to make chocolate and considered a precious substance. In local markets, cacao beans were traded for items such as tools, clothes, and jewelry (jewelry being very expensive). Caravans of merchants that traveled south towards the region that is now Guatemala, Belize, and Honduras also used cacao beans (and jewelry they used cacao beans to buy) to trade for other rare items like rubber, cotton, and products made from animals (i.e. feathers and skins). Having no transportation of goods, merchants would transport these items by canoe or by slaves. When the goods were to travel through dangerous territory, Aztec warriors accompanied the journey to provide protection.
In the large city of Tenochtitlan, Many items, like jewelry, were expensive, and most people in the empire could only acquire low quality items. Usualy it was the higher-ranked people that could afford, and were allowed, to wear items like jewelry, and usually those items were imported.
In the large city of Tenochtitlan, Many items, like jewelry, were expensive, and most people in the empire could only acquire low quality items. Usualy it was the higher-ranked people that could afford, and were allowed, to wear items like jewelry, and usually those items were imported.
Aztec Sports
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The Ball Game: the Aztec ball game was played on a ball court called tlachtli (the game is sometimes called Tlachtli). The ball game was very important in Aztec culture and the ball court was one of the first things built when the Aztecs settled a new area. It was a very difficult game with a large rubber ball. The ball could not touch the ground and the players could only use their elbows, knees, and hips. They teams hit the ball back and forth, trying to get the ball through a ring.
Aztec Games
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Patolli: Patolli is a type of board game, which was played by the common people as well as the higher-ranked people. The word Patolli comes from the word for small red beans, which were used when playing the game. Patolli was very common, and it was normal to see players roming the streets with their patolli mats ready to be challenged.
Aztec Language
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Nahuatl-speaking people started to gain power by 1000 C.E. One of the last Nahuatl-speaking groups was the Mexica, which was what the Aztec empire was founded from. As the empire grew, so did the popularity of Nahuatl. Eventually it was a language of trade and prestige. It was also used in literature. Like many launguages spoken today, there were many different dialects of Nahuatl. Some dialects were so different that some people couldn’t understand each other.
Aztec Services
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The Aztec government brought many services to its people. One such service was the use of medication, which was very useful because Aztec doctors knew a lot about the human body. The people of the Aztec empire were also taught about their own history and religion. They were also taught about “the art of war” as everyday citizenship. Lastly, the empire was kept in place by simple and harsh punishments, making zero tolerance in crime.
Aztec Religion
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Religion: The center of Aztec religion was a great temple dedicated to Huizilopochtli, the patron god of war, and Tlaloc, a god of rain, that was located in the city of Tenochtitlan. The Aztecs conquered many communities who worshipped gods similar to their own, but usuall were dressed differently from region to region. Aztec warriors helped unify the empire by in religion. People called warrior priests brought back deities that were featured in Aztec religious festivals, which created an all-encompassing religion for everyone to practice.
Sacrifice – sacrifice was a big part of Aztec religion. The people believed that the sun had to be “nourished” with the hearts and blood of sacrificial victims. These victims were usually and preferably enemy warriors captured in battle. Sacrifice was also a way to express thanks to the gods. It was considered an honor to sacrifice your life in order to maintain the world’s balance and order, however, Aztec rulers would also use the punishment of sacrifice to intimidate people under their control.
Sacrifice – sacrifice was a big part of Aztec religion. The people believed that the sun had to be “nourished” with the hearts and blood of sacrificial victims. These victims were usually and preferably enemy warriors captured in battle. Sacrifice was also a way to express thanks to the gods. It was considered an honor to sacrifice your life in order to maintain the world’s balance and order, however, Aztec rulers would also use the punishment of sacrifice to intimidate people under their control.