The Aztecs

Gerald Neal

Professor Isaias

World History II

14 October 2016

The Aztecs

The Aztecs was a great empire in year 1519. They were very strong and their capital city Tenochtitlan was the largest city in the world at that time. They were extremely intelligent, skillful and knew how to use their strength wisely. They were so clever, that they built a bridge across the lake which was 7 feet deep. The Aztecs were also good at farming. Even though Mexico is a dry land, they managed to carry water from the mountains using irrigation. They used science and technology to build gardens that contain natural medicines. These miraculous creations prove that the Tenochtitlan was a loss to history.

Although the Aztecs were very smart and creative, they were also foolish. Because religion was so strongly embraced, they did anything they could to provide to their god. They believed that sacrificing humans would please their god. During the sacrifice, the priest would painfully cut the live man’s heart out of the body. They believed that if they didn’t form the sacrifice, the sun wouldn’t rise and the earth would die.

The Aztecs had many wives, but adultery was not okay. The death of a women had occurred after she cheated on her husband who was a moon goddess. He decapitated her and shoved her body down a hill. After the death of her, Aztecs began doing that very same style of killing. They needed to give a thanksgiving to their gods. Their most precious treasure was human blood, therefore, that was what they offered. The heads of the dead were placed on spears.

        In 1519 after sailing from Cuba, the Spaniards landed with 500 men on the Gulf of Mexico. The tribes were speechless and curious of the animals and boats they had brought. The tribes who resisted them were slaughtered. Other tribes welcomed the Spaniards and his men and provided him with their men. Cortez were offered not only men, but also women for sexual and household service. They caused chaos with Montezuma, the lord of the Aztecs, and sought to leave until they were attacked by the Aztecs. About 400 men were killed. After this attack, Cortez managed to cut off all water and food supply. The leaders of the Aztec were killed and their people died of diseases. Because of the Spaniards, the Aztec empire had vanished along with the legendary achievements.