Acamapichtli built up the city's agricultural base by expanding the chinampa system ("floating" gardens) around the island, and by capturing lakeshore chinampas from other cities, particularly Xochimilco. He also made improvements to the city's architecture — the earliest excavated level of the Great Pyramid, Temple II, dates to his reign.
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Was Acamapichtli a good leader?
Acamapichtli was an astute politician who strengthened his position more by alliances with his neighbors than by wars (of which there were only two or three during his reign). He avoided difficulties with the more powerful rulers, in the case of Tezozómoc, by paying the demanded tribute.
What did itzcoatl do?
Itzcoatl reigned over the Aztec Empire from 1427 until 1440, and is best remembered as the leader who saw the Aztecs become the most powerful Mesoamerican society in the Valley of Mexico.
How long did Acamapichtli rule for?
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.
What did Ahuitzotl accomplish?
The aggressive Ahuitzotl succeeded his brother, Tizoc, to the throne. He proved an effective warrior, conquering tribes as far south as present-day Guatemala and in territory along the Gulf of Mexico, using such tactics as forced marches, ambushes, and surprise attacks.
Why did itzcoatl destroy records?
Why did the leader Itzcoatl destroy records of his people's history? So he could tell a different story of their past. At the Great Temple, the Aztecs built a shrine to Tlaloc, the rain god.
Who burned the Aztec codex?
The Grolier Codex, sometimes referred to as the Sáenz Codex or the Maya Codex of Mexico. There were many books in existence at the time of the Spanish conquest of Yucatán in the 16th century; most were destroyed by the Catholic priests. Many in Yucatán were ordered destroyed by Bishop Diego de Landa in July 1562.
When was Acamapichtli born?
1355Acamapichtli / Date of birth
Who has the most power in Aztec society?
The Aztec government was similar to a monarchy where an Emperor or King was the primary ruler. They called their ruler the Huey Tlatoani. The Huey Tlatoani was the ultimate power in the land. They felt that he was appointed by the gods and had the divine right to rule.
Who was the best Aztec warrior?
The Aztecs were tough, hardcore ball-busters whose penchant for violence and righteous unrelenting groin-kicking didn't leave much to the imagination, but in the late fifteenth century there was one badass warrior who dared to defy their ever-expanding empire of blood – Chief Tlahuicole of the Tlaxcalan tribe.
Who was the greatest Aztec emperor?
Montezuma II, also spelled Moctezuma, (born 1466—died c.
Is ahuizotl real?
The ahuizotl (from the Classical Nahuatl: āhuitzotl for "spiny aquatic thing", a.k.a. "water dog") is a legendary creature in Aztec mythology. It is said to lure people to their deaths. The creature was taken as a mascot by the ruler of the same name, and was said to be a "friend of the rain gods".
Why was itzcoatl important to the Aztecs?
According to the Florentine Codex, Itzcoatl ordered the burning of all historical codices because it was "not wise that all the people should know the paintings". Among other purposes, this allowed the Aztec state to develop a state-sanctioned history and mythos that venerated Huitzilopochtli.
What does the name itzcoatl mean?
Itzcoatlnoun. The name of the 4th ruler of Tenochtitlan. Etymology: From Classical Nahuatl Itzcoatl, from itztli "obsidian" + coatl "snake".
Why did the Aztecs make human sacrifices to Huitzilopochtli?
According to Aztec cosmology, the sun god Huitzilopochtli was waging a constant war against darkness, and if the darkness won, the world would end. The keep the sun moving across the sky and preserve their very lives, the Aztecs had to feed Huitzilopochtli with human hearts and blood.
What rights did slaves have in Aztec society?
Slaves had the right to marry, to have children, to substitute another individual in their place, and to buy their freedom. Slaveowners were responsible for housing and feeding their slaves, and slaves generally could not be resold.
What was Acamapichtli's political alliance?
Acamapichtli forged political alliances through strategic marriages, perhaps as many as twenty. He was regarded as a descendant of the god Quetzalcoatl and also performed certain religious duties, such as rain making and sacrifices. However, belief in his divinity may have developed after his death.
What was Acamapichtli's blood line?
The link with the Toltecs made Acamapichtli's blood line especially prestigious, as they were renowned warriors. To integrate these ties with the city of Tenochtitlan, Acamapichtli took a wife from each Tenochca calpulli (in addition to his first wife, the Culhua noble Ilancuetl).
What did Tenochtitlan fight for?
During his reign, Tenochca forces fought for Azcapotzalco against various city states, notably Chalco, and were eventually allowed to wage war on their own. Expeditions were sent against Cuauhnahuac (modern Cuernavaca) and Xochimilco. Built in the middle of Lake Texcoco, Tenochtitlan suffered from limited farmland.
What did the Toltecs speak?
The Toltecs, like the Aztecs, spoke Nahuatl and shared many religious and cultural traditions. On the death of Tenoch, the previous ruler, in 1375, the elders of the Tenochca calpulli (council) decided to elect a tlatoani who could secure the fledgling city's position through ties to powerful groups in the region.
How did Acamapichtli build up the city's agricultural base?
Acamapichtli built up the city's agricultural base by expanding the chinampa system (floating gardens) around the island, and by capturing lakeshore chinampas from other cities , particularly Xochimilco. This ingenious farming system transformed a poor agricultural base into a highly productive one.
Who was Acamapichtli's father?
Acamapichtli was the product of one such union. His father, Opochtzin, was a Mexica leader, while his mother Atotoztli was the daughter of the Culhua tlatoani, Nauhyotl. He also had ties to the Acolhua of Coatlinchan.
Was Acamapichtli a native of Tenochtitlan?
Acamapichtli was not a native of Tenochtitlan. Blood relationships between rulers were an important aspect of politics in fourteenth-century Mexico, and as relative newcomers, the Mexica were at a disadvantage. Although the Culhua had only recently ejected the Mexica from Tizaapan, some intermarriage had taken place between the two peoples during their period of association. Acamapichtli was the product of one such union. His father, Opochtzin, was a Mexica leader, while his mother Atotoztli was the daughter of the Culhua tlatoani, Nauhyotl. He also had ties to the Acolhua of Coatlinchan. He is said to have been descended from the Toltecs, who dominated Central America between the tenth and twelfth centuries. The Toltecs, like the Aztecs, spoke Nahuatl and shared many religious and cultural traditions.
How did Acamapichtli improve Tenochtitlan?
Regardless, Acamapichtli improved Tenochtitlan in several key ways, including: building up the chinampa ‘floating garden’ system around the city to improve agriculture, and building temples and public buildings. Acamapichtli died in 1395 and was succeeded by his son Huitzilíhuitli.
Who was Acamapichtli married to?
Acamapichtli further established his connection to the Toltec when he married a Culhua royal princess. Despite his prestige and power, Acamapichtli struggled to expand the Aztec empire out from under the control of its neighboring societies, such as the Tepanec.
How is the name of the acamapichtli drawn?
In both glyphs his name is drawn most clearly by a drawing of hand grasping a bundle of arrows or reeds – Aca-mapichtli.
What does Acamapichtli mean?
The name Acamapichtli – Aca (tl)=reed, mapichtli=handful – meant ‘a handful of reeds’ , sometimes depicted as arrows with blunted tips, has carved itself into Tenochtitlan ’s history as one of the corner stones, or the true Tenochtitlan’s beginning. He was the son of a prominent Mexica warrior who had married into a noble family of Culhuacan.
Why did Acamapichtli listen absently?
He listened absently as one of the elders complained about the water supplies in his district. The less appealing aspect of being a ruler was the necessity to listen to nonessential information that should have been making its way into his advisers care. However, this man was the leader of his district since before Acamapichtli had come to power, so he listened patiently and promised to take care of the problem.
Where was Altepetl located?
Back in those times, the mid to the end of the 14th century, Culhuacan was still highly prestigious, imposing, influential altepetl (city-stated) located on the southern side of Lake Texcoco. Equal to the Tepanec Azcapotzalco in its dominance and influence, both altepetls were poised as a sort of friendly rivals, competing but not in a hostile way.
Where did Acamapichtli grow up?
Still, for some reason, Acamapichtli wasn’t brought up in Culhuacan but rather grew up in either Texcoco or Coatlinchan, among Acolhua people who populated the eastern shores of the Great Lake. It is there, where Tenochtitlan’s elders, heads of various city districts and clans, came in their search for the legitimate ruler.
What were the roads stretched and paved all over the island?
Roads were stretched and paved all over the island, canals for easier transportation of goods in and out of the city dug, residential areas regulated, divided into more defined districts, extensive building projects commenced. Taking no break between this flurry of activity, he enacted new laws, regulating the growing altepetl ’s life, putting it on the regional map with great determination. Everywhere around the island chinampas were spreading, the floating farms the lack of agricultural land dictated.
When was Azcapotzalco anointed?
It was only after seven years passed, in 1383 or Chikueyi Acatl-Eight Reed, with Azcapotzalco relaxing its watch and Acamapichtli doing nothing to provoke his city’s stern overlords, that he might have been anointed with the ultimate title of Tlatoani.
