Texcoco was founded in the 12th century, on the shore of Lake Texcoco. It was an independent Nahuatl city state. It allied itself with Tenochtitlan (modern Mexico City) early on, and became the second most important city politically in the Aztec Empire, by agreement receiving two-fifths of the tribute collected. The city was known as a center of learning within the Empire, and had a famed library including books fro ...

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Texcoco, Texcoco - History, Texcoco - External link

Read more here: » Texcoco: Encyclopedia II - Texcoco - History

Ixtlilxochitl From 1409-18, King of Texcoco, a city-state of the Acolhua Aztec tribe in the Valley of Mexico on Lake Texcoco; he was assassinated by a member of the dominant rival tribe, but his son and grandson became the greatest rulers of Texcoco. (IU 1:548)

(See also: Ixtlilxochitl, Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary, Occultism, Occultism Dictionary)

A snake-eating bird of prey appears in a legend of the Mexica people, who gave rise to the Aztec empire, and it is represented in the Mexican flag: The Mexicas, guided by their god Huitzilopochtli, sought a place where the bird landed on a prickly pear cactus, devouring a snake. They found the sign on a island in Lake Texcoco, where they erected the city of Tenochtitlan ("Place of the Prickly Pear Cactus" – present-day Mexico City) in 1325. (In the Coat of Arms of Mexico this bird is depicted as a Golden Eagle, though it's often said to be ...

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Ophiophagy, Ophiophagy - Ophiophagy in myth and legend, Ophiophagy - Practical use, Ophiophagy - Immunity

Read more here: » Ophiophagy: Encyclopedia II - Ophiophagy - Ophiophagy in myth and legend

The Aztecs were a Mesoamerican people of central Mexico in the 14th, 15th and 16th centuries. They were a civilization with a rich mythology and cultural heritage. Their capital was Tenochtitlan, built on raised islets in Lake Texcoco – the site of modern-day Mexico City. Aztec - Terminology. In Nahuatl, the native language of the 'Aztec', "Azteca" means "someone who comes from Aztlán", a mythical place in northern Mexico. However, the Aztec referred to themselves as Mexica (IPA Including:

• Aztec - Terminology
• Aztec - Legends and traditions
• Aztec - Rise of the Aztecs
• Aztec - The Empire
• Aztec - Aztec society
• Aztec - Class structure
• Aztec - Slavery
• Aztec - Recreation
• Aztec - Tenochtitlan
• Aztec - Education
• Aztec - Diet
• Aztec - Human sacrifice
• Aztec - Poetry
• Aztec - Downfall
• Aztec - Sources

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Acamapichtli was tlatoani (king) of the Aztecs of Tenochtitlan, and founder of the Aztec imperial dynasty. He became ruler in 1376 and reigned for 21 years. Acamapichtli was not a native of Tenochtitlan. Blood relationships between rulers were an important aspect of politics in 14th century Mexico, and as relative newcomers, the Mexica were at a disadvantage. On the death of Tenoch in 1375, the elders of the Tenochca calpultin decided to elect a tlatoani who could secure the fledgling city's position throug ...

Read more here: » Acamapichtli: Encyclopedia - Acamapichtli

An artificial island is an island that has been formed by human, rather than natural means. It is usually constructed on an existing reef or may be an expansion of a small natural islet. Traditional artificial islands are created by land reclamation. Some recent developments have been constructed more in the manner of oil platforms, but whether these structures should be considered islands is not universally agreed. A less distinctive type of artificial island is formed by the incidental isolation ...

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Cuauhtémoc (c. 1502 - February 26, 1525) (also Cuauhtemotzin or Guatimozin; also written Cuauhtemoc without the diacritical mark) was the last Aztec ruler (Tlatoani) of Tenochtitlán and the last "Aztec Emperor". The name means "descending eagle", from Nahuatl cuauhtli (eagle) and temoc (descent); by extension it can be interpreted as "setting sun". Cuauhtémoc took power in 1520 as successor of Cuaitláhuac and was a nephew of the emperor Moctezuma II, and his young wife was one of Moctezuma's daug ...

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The Coat of Arms of Mexico has been an important symbol of Mexican politics and culture for centuries. The current coat of arms has hardly changed since the Aztecs first developed it almost seven hundred years ago. The coat of arms depicts a Mexican golden eagle, purched upon a cactus, devouring a snake. To the Aztecs this would have strong religious connotations, but to the Europeans, it would come to symbolize the triumph of good over evil. Coat of Arms of Mexico - Official story. The Coat of Arms of Mexi ...

Including:

• Coat of Arms of Mexico - Official story
• Coat of Arms of Mexico - The Aztec legend
• Coat of Arms of Mexico - The Creatures
• Coat of Arms of Mexico - History

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Chinampa is an Aztec term referring to a method of ancient Mesoamerican agriculture through floating gardens—small, rectangle-shaped areas of fertile arable land used for agriculture in the Xochimilco region of the Basin of Mexico. Chinampas were stationary artificial islands that are used for growing crops. Chinampas were used for most of the Pre-Columbian period in the central part of modern-day Mexico; it is estimated that food provided by chinampas made up one-half to two-thirds of the food consumed by the city of ...

Including:

• Chinampa - Sources

Read more here: » Chinampa: Encyclopedia - Chinampa

1520 - Events. January 18 - King Christian II of Denmark and Norway defeats the Swedes at Lake Asunde. June - Moctezuma II, Aztec ruler of Tenochtitlan is declared deposed due to his captivity by conquistador Hernán Cortés. His brother Cuitláhuac rises to the throne. June 7 - Field of Cloth of Gold. Famous meeting between King Henry VIII of England and King Francis I of France. July 1 - The forces of Cuitláhuac, Aztec ruler of Tenochtitlan gain a major victory against the forc ...

Including:

• 1520 - Events
• 1520 - Births
• 1520 - Deaths

Read more here: » 1520: Encyclopedia - 1520

Cannibalism is the act or practice of eating members of one's own species and usually refers to humans eating other humans (sometimes called anthropophagy). Cannibalism has been attributed to many different tribes and ethnicities in the past, but the degree to which it has actually occurred and been socially sanctioned is an extremely controversial topic in anthropology. Some anthropologists argue that cannibalism has been almost non-existent and view claims of cannibalism with extreme skepticism, while others argue that the pr ...

Including:

• Cannibalism - Non-human cannibalism
• Cannibalism - Cannibalism among humans
• Cannibalism - Modern cannibalism
• Cannibalism - Historical cannibalism incidents
• Cannibalism - Cannibalism in war
• Cannibalism - 'Cannibalism' as cultural libel
• Cannibalism - Sexualized cannibalism fantasies and real
• Cannibalism - Cannibal themes in myth religion or arts
• Cannibalism - Cannibalism as sympathetic magic
• Cannibalism - Cannibalism as a funeral rite
• Cannibalism - Cannibalism in popular culture
• Cannibalism - Other uses of the word

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Aztec culture is generally grouped with the cultural complex known as the Capulli because of the common language they shared. According to legend, the various groups who were to become the Aztecs arrived from the north into the Anahuac valley around Lake Texcoco. The location of this valley and lake of destination is clear – it is the heart of modern Mexico City – but little can be known with certainty about the origin of the Aztec. In the legend, the ancestors of the Aztec came from a place in the north called Aztlán, the ...

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Aztec, Aztec - Terminology, Aztec - Legends and traditions, Aztec - Rise of the Aztecs, Aztec - The Empire, Aztec - Aztec society, Aztec - Class structure, Aztec - Slavery, Aztec - Recreation, Aztec - Tenochtitlan, Aztec - Education, Aztec - Diet, Aztec - Human sacrifice, Aztec - Poetry, Aztec - Downfall, Aztec - Sources

Read more here: » Aztec: Encyclopedia II - Aztec - Legends and traditions

The Aztec created artificial islands or chinampas on Lake Texcoco, on which they cultivated crops. The Aztec staple foods included maize, beans and squash. Chinampas were a very efficient system and could provide up to seven crops a year, on the basis of current chinampa yields, it has been estimated that 1 hectare of chinampa would feed 20 individuals, with about 9,000 hectares of chinampa, ther ...

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Aztec, Aztec - Terminology, Aztec - Legends and traditions, Aztec - Rise of the Aztecs, Aztec - The Empire, Aztec - Aztec society, Aztec - Class structure, Aztec - Slavery, Aztec - Recreation, Aztec - Tenochtitlan, Aztec - Education, Aztec - Diet, Aztec - Human sacrifice, Aztec - Poetry, Aztec - Downfall, Aztec - Sources

Read more here: » Aztec: Encyclopedia II - Aztec - Diet

The original Aztec city was established in 1325 as Tenochtitlan, and immediately became the center of a growing Empire. Located on a small island on the middle of Lake Texcoco, the layout of the city forced the Aztecs to build artificial islands and create a series of canals to allow the growth of the metropolis. In fact, although the lake was salty, dams built by the Aztecs kept the city surrounded by cl ...

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Mexico City, Mexico City - History, Mexico City - Recent History, Mexico City - Modern Mexico City, Mexico City - Attractions, Mexico City - Sports, Mexico City - Transportation, Mexico City - Urban Problems, Mexico City - Education, Mexico City - Politics, Mexico City - Nickname

Read more here: » Mexico City: Encyclopedia II - Mexico City - History

For the reconsecration of Great Pyramid of Tenochtitlan in 1487, the Aztecs reported that they sacrificed about 84,400 prisoners over the course of four days, almost 15 per minute for 24 hours a day. Since the Aztecs reported the number of sacrifices themselves, they could have inflated the number as a propaganda tool especially if, as reported, Ahuitzotl sacrificed them personally. The estimated population of the metropolitan area of Tenochtitlan was about 80,000 at that time, with as many as 700,000 in the immediate area surrounding Lake Texcoco. Modern estimates of the number sacrificed at t ...

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Human sacrifice in Aztec culture, Human sacrifice in Aztec culture - The sacrifice, Human sacrifice in Aztec culture - Estimates, Human sacrifice in Aztec culture - Sacrifice and society, Human sacrifice in Aztec culture - Cannibalism, Human sacrifice in Aztec culture - Human Sacrifice as a Political Tool

Read more here: » Human sacrifice in Aztec culture: Encyclopedia II - Human sacrifice in Aztec culture - Estimates

Definition and meaning of Mesoamerica

Mesoamerica - [World History]

Mesoamerica includes Mexico and Central America. Sedentary agriculture in the Western Hemisphere developed here and in Peru in South America. This is significant because the cultivation of foodstuffs such as corn ensured a stable supply of food and encouraged groups of people to settle permanently instead of wandering in search of food as nomadic tribes did. This contributed to the rise of civilizations which sustained themselves through their food production and wielded control over less stable societies. Ancient civilizations in the area included the Mayan which extended over a broad region, built monumental architecture, and developed a language, a system of mathematics, and a religion. The Aztec, a nomadic tribe, pushed into the zone of sedentary agriculture and established an empire on the shores of Lake Texcoco after 1325 A.D.

(Source: The Social Studies Center at Texas University )

Also see these pages:  Social Studies, Social Studies Sitemap, History, History Sitemap

There were twelve rulers or tlatoque (singular: tlatoani) of Tenochtitlan: Legendary Founder: Tenoch 1375: Acamapichtli 1395: Huitzilihuitl 1417: Chimalpopoca 1427: Itzcoatl 1440: Moctezuma I (or Motecuhzoma Ilhuicamina) 1469: Axayacatl 1481: Tizoc 1486: Auitzotl 1502: Moctezuma II (or Motecuhzoma Xocoyotzin, the famous "Montezuma", a.k.a. Motecuhzoma II) 1520: ...

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Aztec, Aztec - Terminology, Aztec - Legends and traditions, Aztec - Rise of the Aztecs, Aztec - The Empire, Aztec - Aztec society, Aztec - Class structure, Aztec - Slavery, Aztec - Recreation, Aztec - Tenochtitlan, Aztec - Education, Aztec - Diet, Aztec - Human sacrifice, Aztec - Poetry, Aztec - Downfall, Aztec - Sources

Read more here: » Aztec: Encyclopedia II - Aztec - Rise of the Aztecs

In Nahuatl, the native language of the 'Aztec', "Azteca" means "someone who comes from Aztlán", a mythical place in northern Mexico. However, the Aztec referred to themselves as Mexica (IPA [meˈʃihkah]) or Tenochca and Tlatelolca according their city of origin. Their use of the word azteca was like the modern use of Latino, or Mediterranean: a broad term that ...

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Aztec, Aztec - Terminology, Aztec - Legends and traditions, Aztec - Rise of the Aztecs, Aztec - The Empire, Aztec - Aztec society, Aztec - Class structure, Aztec - Slavery, Aztec - Recreation, Aztec - Tenochtitlan, Aztec - Education, Aztec - Diet, Aztec - Human sacrifice, Aztec - Poetry, Aztec - Downfall, Aztec - Sources

Read more here: » Aztec: Encyclopedia II - Aztec - Terminology

During the age before Spanish conquest of Mexico, several wars ensued between the Aztecs, and several other native tribes. Alliances between the Aztec state and Texcoco had become central to these pre colonial wars. Several of these conflicts were evolved to an organized warfare, known as the flower wars. In flower wars the primary objective was to injure or capture the enemy, rather than killing as in Western warfare. Prisoners-of-war were ritually sacrificed to Aztec gods. Cannibalism was also a center feature to this ...

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Military history of Mexico, Military history of Mexico - Pre–Colonial Era, Military history of Mexico - Spanish Conquest, Military history of Mexico - 19th century, Military history of Mexico - Background to the War of Independence, Military history of Mexico - The War of Independence, Military history of Mexico - Conflicts after independence, Military history of Mexico - Early 20th Century, Military history of Mexico - Mexican Revolution, Military history of Mexico - The Revolution, Military history of Mexico - World War I Era, Military history of Mexico - Mid 20th Century, Military history of Mexico - Cristero War, Military history of Mexico - World War II, Military history of Mexico - Recent developments, Military history of Mexico - 1994 Zapatista Rebellion in Chiapas, Military history of Mexico - Hurricane Katrina, Military history of Mexico - Timeline

Read more here: » Military history of Mexico: Encyclopedia II - Military history of Mexico - Pre–Colonial Era

Poetry was the only occupation worthy of an Aztec warrior in times of peace. A remarkable amount of this poetry survives, having been collected during the era of the conquest. In some cases, we know names of individual authors, such as Netzahualcoyotl, Tolatonai of Texcoco, and Cuacuatzin, Lord of Tepechpan. Miguel León-Portilla, the most renowned translator of Nahuatl, comments that it is in this poetry where we can find the real thought of the Aztecs, independe ...

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Aztec, Aztec - Terminology, Aztec - Legends and traditions, Aztec - Rise of the Aztecs, Aztec - The Empire, Aztec - Aztec society, Aztec - Class structure, Aztec - Slavery, Aztec - Recreation, Aztec - Tenochtitlan, Aztec - Education, Aztec - Diet, Aztec - Human sacrifice, Aztec - Poetry, Aztec - Downfall, Aztec - Sources

Read more here: » Aztec: Encyclopedia II - Aztec - Poetry