Aztec Innovations: Tenochtitlan, Education, Medicine, and Art
The Mexicas, known as the Aztecs, established a remarkable civilization highlighted by Tenochtitlan, an education system, advanced medical practices, and unique artistic expressions. They migrated from Áztlan and settled by Lake Texcoco around 1179 AD, where they developed Tenochtitlan with its iconic floating gardens and dams. By the year 1521, the city was estimated to house 200,000 residents. The Templo Mayor, honoring Huitzilopochtli and Tlaloc, was a key structure. Following a 93-day siege, Hernán Cortés devastated the city. Their educational institutions, calmecac and telpochcalli, focused on religion and science. Emperor Moctezuma the Elder created a botanical garden (1440-1469) featuring 2,000 species. The Badianus Codex (1552) documented 180 medicinal plants. The Aztec Sun Stone represents their artistry, while human sacrifice was integral to their beliefs. Spanish-introduced diseases played a significant role in their decline.
Key facts
- The Aztecs, or Mexicas, settled on an island in Lake Texcoco around 1179 AD after migrating from Áztlan.
- Tenochtitlan, built with chinampas and dams, may have had 200,000 inhabitants by 1521, possibly the world's largest city.
- After a 93-day siege, Hernán Cortés destroyed Tenochtitlan and began constructing Mexico City.
- Aztec education was mandatory; at age 15, children attended calmecac or telpochcalli, learning subjects like astronomy and military training.
- Emperor Moctezuma the Elder established a botanical garden with 2,000 plant species between 1440 and 1469.
- The Badianus Codex of 1552 documents 180 medicinal plants used by the Aztecs.
- The Aztec Sun Stone weighs 24,590 kg and has a diameter over 3.5 meters, featuring symbols related to astrology and religion.
- The Mesoamerican ballgame, ōllamalīztli, used a rubber ball up to 4 kg and had over 1,500 ballcourts in Mesoamerica.
Entities
Artists
- Diego Rivera
- Hernán Cortés
- Moctezuma the Elder
- Moctezuma II
- Bernal Díaz del Castillo
- Antonio de Mendoza
- Fray Bernardino de Sahagún
- Charles V of Spain
- Huitzilopochtli
- Tlaloc
- Macuilxochitl
- Tezcatlipoca
Institutions
- The Collector
- Metropolitan Museum of Art
- British Museum
- Library of Congress
- Bodleian Library
- University of Texas at Austin
- Los Angeles County Museum of Art
- Santa Cruz de Tlatelolco
Locations
- Tenochtitlan
- Mexico
- Áztlan
- Lake Texcoco
- Tula
- Toltec Empire
- Cholula
- Tlacopan
- Texcoco
- Texcotzingo
- Mexico City
- Spain
- Oxford
- Nayarit