A L L A B O U T A Z T E C S

ALL ABOUT AZTECSALL ABOUT AZTECS

Fourth GradeFourth Grade

University School of NashvilleUniversity School of Nashville

Ms. Noel’s Wonderful Ms. Noel’s Wonderful StudentsStudents

Who Were the Aztecs?Who Were the Aztecs?The Aztecs were a group of nomads who The Aztecs were a group of nomads who

conquered numerous tribes while searching for a conquered numerous tribes while searching for a place to settle. When they grew too large to easily place to settle. When they grew too large to easily move from place to place, they settled in what is move from place to place, they settled in what is now known as Mexico. There they built their now known as Mexico. There they built their capital city, Tenochtitlan. capital city, Tenochtitlan.

The Aztecs were a sophisticated culture. The Aztecs were a sophisticated culture. Their society was patriarchal and governed by a Their society was patriarchal and governed by a Tlatoni. They had strict laws, worshiped numerous Tlatoni. They had strict laws, worshiped numerous gods, and fought fierce battles. They had a gods, and fought fierce battles. They had a bustling marketplace, family responsibilities, and bustling marketplace, family responsibilities, and an interesting way of farming. an interesting way of farming.

Aztec LawAztec LawBy JamieBy Jamie

Every city had its own laws. Courts and Every city had its own laws. Courts and Judges had to be completely fair and never take Judges had to be completely fair and never take bribes. Lying to the court was like lying to the bribes. Lying to the court was like lying to the gods. The penalty was death. Anyone could go gods. The penalty was death. Anyone could go to court but nobles got much harsher to court but nobles got much harsher punishments because they should know better. punishments because they should know better. It was death if a tax collector took too much It was death if a tax collector took too much money or if someone disobeyed in battle. The money or if someone disobeyed in battle. The laws covered every aspect of Aztec life laws covered every aspect of Aztec life including the work people were allowed to do, including the work people were allowed to do, the clothes they wore, and even what they ate. the clothes they wore, and even what they ate. There was a pattern; the 1st time they did There was a pattern; the 1st time they did something bad their house was knocked down, something bad their house was knocked down, the 2nd time they did something bad, it was the 2nd time they did something bad, it was death. Sometimes, instead of death, if they death. Sometimes, instead of death, if they were lucky, they might get sent into slavery. You were lucky, they might get sent into slavery. You could also get sent into slavery if you could not could also get sent into slavery if you could not pay your debts.pay your debts.

GovernmentGovernmentby Jenny LaChanceby Jenny LaChance

The Aztec government was strong and The Aztec government was strong and well- organized. Europeans in the sixteenth-well- organized. Europeans in the sixteenth-century commented about the Aztecs, “It’s century commented about the Aztecs, “It’s astonishing to see order and government that is astonishing to see order and government that is maintained everywhere!” In every Aztec maintained everywhere!” In every Aztec government, there was always a Great Speaker. government, there was always a Great Speaker. In the 1500’s, Montezuma was the most In the 1500’s, Montezuma was the most influential Great Speaker. All the other people influential Great Speaker. All the other people paid tribute to him.paid tribute to him.

Health and Health and MedicineMedicine

By Metta Devine- QinBy Metta Devine- Qin

Aztecs used all kind of healing plants like Aztecs used all kind of healing plants like Tobacco, Psilocybin mushrooms, Peyote, and Morning Tobacco, Psilocybin mushrooms, Peyote, and Morning glories for medical reasons. Aztecs used the mind glories for medical reasons. Aztecs used the mind drugs and thought they could see if their patient drugs and thought they could see if their patient made contact with the spirit world and learned what made contact with the spirit world and learned what their illness was. Aztecs had very few medicines. their illness was. Aztecs had very few medicines. They used faith healing. When you were an Aztec you They used faith healing. When you were an Aztec you would believe that the gods could cure you. Holy would believe that the gods could cure you. Holy water was always stored in a temple ready to sprinkle water was always stored in a temple ready to sprinkle on sick people and children. They also believed that on sick people and children. They also believed that their gods sometimes gave them diseases. They their gods sometimes gave them diseases. They believed Amimitl caused cough and Tlaloc gave you believed Amimitl caused cough and Tlaloc gave you ulcers. You might get them to cure you by giving ulcers. You might get them to cure you by giving them gifts and food. The gods might hear your them gifts and food. The gods might hear your prayers. They might speak to and your doctor in your prayers. They might speak to and your doctor in your dreams, or they might think it's time for you to die. dreams, or they might think it's time for you to die.

AZTEC HOUSINGBy: Maria Allen

Some Aztecs were wealthier then others. They had better homes. Those homes were bigger, sturdier, and better. In every home a statue of Xuihtectuhtle was placed on the hearth. The Aztecs had little furniture, they slept on little mats in the corners. It was very hard for the Aztecs !!

FOODFOOD By: Gracie HoffmanBy: Gracie Hoffman

In Aztec times they didn’t have very appetizing meats. Regular Aztecs often couldn’t afford meat, so they ate corn ground into flour and cooked as porridge, tortillas, or tamales (stuffed as dumplings). Basic foods were served hot, such as spicy bean and veggie stews. They prepared gruel (thick soup) made out of a seed from wild sage plants called Chia. Meat and fish were only served on special occasions; there were not any cows. This meant that there was no cheese or milk! Aztecs didn’t know that sheep and horses existed. Aztecs got their meat from wild animals like rabbits and deer and domesticated animals like dogs.

What Is Hot and What Is NotWhat Is Hot and What Is NotBy Madeline By Madeline

Soldiers, this is for you! You need to wear cotton Soldiers, this is for you! You need to wear cotton as your uniform! These uniforms are tunics made of as your uniform! These uniforms are tunics made of

quilted cotton. When you`ve captured an enemy, you’re quilted cotton. When you`ve captured an enemy, you’re promoted promoted

to be a Jaguar knight, and you wear a Jaguar skin uniform. to be a Jaguar knight, and you wear a Jaguar skin uniform. It looks cool even if it feels hot! If you’re an officer you It looks cool even if it feels hot! If you’re an officer you

wear a festive umbreila-like cover made of a thick wear a festive umbreila-like cover made of a thick material.material.

AZTECAZTEC JEWLRYJEWLRY

By Caroline ZhaoBy Caroline Zhao

Ever wonder what jewelry you would wear if Ever wonder what jewelry you would wear if you were an Aztec noble? Well this might help. Noble you were an Aztec noble? Well this might help. Noble women wore jade, shell, turquoise, and gold women wore jade, shell, turquoise, and gold necklaces. Now Aztec necklaces made of gold, spirally necklaces. Now Aztec necklaces made of gold, spirally or plain designed, are rare because the Spaniards or plain designed, are rare because the Spaniards either took them or burned them. Green stones were either took them or burned them. Green stones were valued more than any other material in Mesoamerica. valued more than any other material in Mesoamerica. Some noble women wore coral necklaces. Both Some noble women wore coral necklaces. Both farmers and nobles wore shell necklaces. Warriors farmers and nobles wore shell necklaces. Warriors wore gold ornaments in their noses like nose rings. wore gold ornaments in their noses like nose rings.

SCHOOLSCHOOLBy Elena EscalasBy Elena Escalas

Have you ever wondered what Aztec children did Have you ever wondered what Aztec children did everyday? Well, nowadays, a child would go to school. So everyday? Well, nowadays, a child would go to school. So why couldn’t Aztec children do the same? Well, they why couldn’t Aztec children do the same? Well, they could. So what exactly did the Aztec children learn? The could. So what exactly did the Aztec children learn? The Aztecs thought that writing was very important to learn. Aztecs thought that writing was very important to learn. But instead of using letters and words, they used But instead of using letters and words, they used symbols. It was also very important that they learned how symbols. It was also very important that they learned how to behave. To make the children behave, the teachers to behave. To make the children behave, the teachers punished them using harsh manners. One of the punished them using harsh manners. One of the punishments was holding the child over a fire with punishments was holding the child over a fire with burning chili peppers. The teachers were priests, who burning chili peppers. The teachers were priests, who were also warriors. It is very interesting that the Aztec were also warriors. It is very interesting that the Aztec children did some of the same activities that we do today. children did some of the same activities that we do today.

By Kennedy TurnerBy Kennedy Turner

Even gods play some cool games… The game Even gods play some cool games… The game that they play is called Tlachtli. Now all the games that they play is called Tlachtli. Now all the games that we are going to talk about were played by the that we are going to talk about were played by the

AZTECS!!! You have probably never hard of that. But AZTECS!!! You have probably never hard of that. But if you think that is a crazy name, you my think of this if you think that is a crazy name, you my think of this as a crazy game. Imagine if you had to do what the as a crazy game. Imagine if you had to do what the

Aztecs did. That would be a very crazy thing.Aztecs did. That would be a very crazy thing.

Aztec gamesAztec games

The Gods The Gods By Robert Raulston. By Robert Raulston.

The Aztecs worshiped many different kinds of Gods.These are some of the most well known; Quetzalcoatl, the godof wisdom and of wind, and Xochipilli, the God of love, dance &dawn. Another God was Huehueteotl, the God of fire. And there was Tloque Nahuaque, lord of everywhere. Many times a day people were sacrificed to keep the Gods filled and satisfied. First, the priest of the God would cut out the victimsheart and then they ate the victims arms and legs. After that,they put the victims skull on a skull rack and sometimesthey used the victims skin as capes.

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Aztec temples were like pyramids Aztec temples were like pyramids in shape. Unlike pyramids, they were in shape. Unlike pyramids, they were built one on top of the other. Each built one on top of the other. Each generation had their own. They were generation had their own. They were also decorated with carvings of snakes also decorated with carvings of snakes and otherand other fierce animals. Temples also fierce animals. Temples also hosted sermons or sacrifice. Only the hosted sermons or sacrifice. Only the children of nobles could become the children of nobles could become the priests who worked in the temples.priests who worked in the temples.

AZTEC PRIESTSAZTEC PRIESTSBy Francesca EluhuBy Francesca Eluhu

These were the people who did not wash their hair or take baths. These were the people who sacrificed others. These, oh so-special people were… The Priests!!!

It was hard to be a priest. You had to kill the right type of people. What was the “right type of people?” The right type was the tough, healthy, good-looking ones. The worse part was that you had to sacrifice people you knew and loved. What if, at this very moment, you had to sacrifice one of your siblings? You would think more people would have been sorry for them.

Priests had been the most powerful people for a while and probably would have stayed that way.

SACRIFICESACRIFICEBy George PlummerBy George Plummer

Sacrifice was very gruesome, there was Sacrifice was very gruesome, there was blood and gore everywhere! To be an Aztec blood and gore everywhere! To be an Aztec sacrifice you had to have good hair, teeth, skin, sacrifice you had to have good hair, teeth, skin, and health; you had to be perfect. Sacrifices fasted and health; you had to be perfect. Sacrifices fasted for four days; now that’s harsh! Luckily we don’t for four days; now that’s harsh! Luckily we don’t make sacrifices nowadays! make sacrifices nowadays!

AZTEC ARMYAZTEC ARMY

By Nicholas GrizzellBy Nicholas Grizzell

The Aztecs aimed to conquer other cities and captureprisoners. The army assembled in units of 800 men. Adult men were expected to leave their homes. It was more honorable to be killed fighting, or to be sacrificed, than to survive. They felt it was shameful and wrong to try to escape their fate.

AZTEC AZTEC WARRIORSWARRIORS

By Joshua HuangBy Joshua HuangJaguar and eagle knights fought more Jaguar and eagle knights fought more

fears than any warrior. The main items that they fears than any warrior. The main items that they used were; a camana, which is a paddle spiked used were; a camana, which is a paddle spiked with obsidian, a spear spiked with obsidian, an with obsidian, a spear spiked with obsidian, an ax, a bow and a shield. Obsidian was mainly ax, a bow and a shield. Obsidian was mainly used for putting on weapons to make them used for putting on weapons to make them sharp! Eagle knights and jaguar knights were sharp! Eagle knights and jaguar knights were called this because they wore armor made of called this because they wore armor made of jaguar skin and eagle feathers. Their armor was jaguar skin and eagle feathers. Their armor was made of animal skin because the Aztecs made of animal skin because the Aztecs thought it would give the warrior the power of thought it would give the warrior the power of the animal. Each Aztec warrior fought very the animal. Each Aztec warrior fought very bravely in battle, but the jaguar knights and bravely in battle, but the jaguar knights and eagle knights were braver. eagle knights were braver.

THE SPANISH THE SPANISH INVASIONINVASION

BY TOM KOCHTITZKYBY TOM KOCHTITZKY The Spanish arrived in huge The Spanish arrived in huge

boats, bigger than any the Aztecs boats, bigger than any the Aztecs had ever seen. When they arrived had ever seen. When they arrived on shore they were treated to gold on shore they were treated to gold and Quetzal feathers and they and Quetzal feathers and they obviously went straight to the gold. obviously went straight to the gold. The Aztecs were very surprised by The Aztecs were very surprised by this, because feathers were prized this, because feathers were prized by Aztecs. Later, they found out by Aztecs. Later, they found out that the Spanish were actually that the Spanish were actually trying to conquer them!!trying to conquer them!!

Even with the mighty powers of the warriors of Even with the mighty powers of the warriors of Tenochtilan, the Spaniards were a problem for them. By Tenochtilan, the Spaniards were a problem for them. By the time the Aztecs surrendered, there were only 30,000 the time the Aztecs surrendered, there were only 30,000 people left in Tenochtilan. In 1600, the population of people left in Tenochtilan. In 1600, the population of Mexico was one quarter what it had under the reign of Mexico was one quarter what it had under the reign of Montezuma. Spaniards built Christian churches on top of Montezuma. Spaniards built Christian churches on top of the land. Children were baptized and given Spanish names the land. Children were baptized and given Spanish names and sent to Spanish schools. Aztecs worked as farmers or and sent to Spanish schools. Aztecs worked as farmers or miners for their new bosses. The Spaniards had blown up miners for their new bosses. The Spaniards had blown up all they could of the Great Temple with several hundred all they could of the Great Temple with several hundred barrels of gunpowder. The great land that used to be barrels of gunpowder. The great land that used to be Tenochtilan is now Mexico City.Tenochtilan is now Mexico City.

INVASION OF INVASION OF THE SPANISHTHE SPANISHBy Jack AylorBy Jack Aylor

BIBLIOGRAPHY

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