The Aztecs were a culture native to Aztlan, a mythical place that gave rise to the name Azteca.
These Aztecs are also called Mexicas, a name given by their leader Huitzilopochtli when they separated from the Aztecs of Coatepec, migrating and founding Tenochtitlán around 1111 AD. There they developed their culture over the Olmec buildings until the arrival of Hernán Cortés in 1519 AD.
Aztec Culture Location
The Aztec Mesoamerican Culture expanded throughout the central and southern region of present-day Mexico, between the Pacific and Atlantic coasts.
Aztec Empire Culture
The culture of the Aztec Empire has a strong influence of the Olmec culture that preceded it in the same region. The culture of the Aztec Empire is known for its 52-year cycles, its blood sacrifices in the Templo Mayor, its mandatory tax system in the area of influence, its habit of taking a bath twice a day and introducing chocolate and tomato .
Architecture of the Aztec Empire
The Architecture of the Aztec Empire stands out for its pyramidal shape and the base can be both circular and square. The most emblematic buildings of the Inca Empire are El Templo Mayor (with the gods Huitzilopochtli – Tláloc ), Malinalc or (temple carved from the rock itself), Twin Temples (double access staircase) and Calixtlahuaca (circular plan pyramid).
Word meanings in Nahuatl
- Aztlan: “Seat of the Herons” or “Place of Whiteness” or Primordial Place. (Also known as Chicomóztoc)
- Chicomóztoc: “The house of the seven caves”.
- Huitzilopochtli: Known as the god of war, representing the sun.
- Tenochtitlán: “The place that the cactus bites”.
- Coatepec: “Snake Hill”.
