Gomez1

Vanessa Gomez
Ms. Figueroa
World Literature-Block E
April 29, 2013
The Aztecs
Aztecs: Epoch of Social Revolution
By Philip Dossick
In chapter one, Philip Dossick writes about the historical background of the Aztec
people. Before the Aztecs, the Toltecs inhabited the Valley of Mexico. The Aztecs were
dedicated to agriculture and the arts, while using Toltec traditions but modifying them to
make it their own (Dossick 62). It is estimated that circa 1325 A.D. is when their
historical period started. Their largest city was named Tenochtitlan, a more advanced
commercial center, for the Aztecs were the more civilized people of Mexico (Dossick
87). Dossick then continues to speak of how the Aztec rule is organized, with the calpulli
first, the nobility second, and the warrior group last. Those were the groups that could
own land (Dossick 109). To show rank in society, the Aztecs were distinct clothing to
express their class. Among the most educated people in the Aztec community were the
priests, who had a substantial amount of power in society (Dossick 153).
Aztec childbirth was not a simple subject and was definitely not something that
could be taken lightly, Dossick goes into great detail of the steps of childbirth.
Ceremonies were a huge part of life for the Aztecs, and they usually including the
practice of sacrifice, especially if a boy is given birth to. Midwives, called ticitl were
used to help protect the expecting mother (Dossick 198). The Aztecs believed in the
supernatural, therefore many measures were taken to not anger any spirits. Women who
died during childbirth were given the reward of immortality and eternal happiness in
paradise (Dossick 329). Early childhood for the Aztecs included education and
preparation for adulthood. Children were accustomed to fatigue and hard working
schedules to harden them up for future tasks (Dossick 409). Often times children would
be sacrificed if they were deemed lucky, in order to please gods, or assure a great season
of harvest (Dossick 496). Life for the Aztecs was made up of dos and donts. Omens
were not taken lightly, because the Aztecs believed in the saying Coming events cast
their shadows beforehand (Dossick 627).
An Aztec teenager would be given exhortations by their parents; some of them
obtained from Spaniards, and are now used throughout Christendom today. These
exhortations were to ensure that the kids have manners and morals in their lives (Dossick
796). The type of juridical system in society was made up of clan elders or elected
nobles. Their court system was fair, and was similar to our judicial system today with the
need for evidence, bailiffs, and judges (Dossick 819). Crimes varied from being drunk, to

Gomez2
murder, and all crimes were punishable by death. Slaves could maintain their families,
possess property, or even have their own slaves (Dossick 909).
Aztec religion was an aggregate of dissimilar elements (Dossick 920). It
included some elements of shamanism, nature worship, and at a time military theology.
Government and religion went together almost in all situations. Festivals were the main
events that kept religion in the minds of the people. The numbers of Aztec deities were
too great to count. (Dossick 941). Everything the Aztecs did seemed to be centered on
their belief in gods and goddesses. Aztecs worshipped many idols, and they were often
found near water. Each god or goddess had a specific purpose, and had his or her own
rituals when worshipped.
The military for the Aztecs was important because a lot of their profit came from
the tribute from exploited neighbors. The reason the Aztecs succeeded and grew in
power was because of their military conquests. There was so much emphasis on religion
and military life, that there was not much political control, which may have lead to the
Aztec downfall (Dossick 1406). Training started with simply a father teaching his son
how to fish, use a bow and arrow, then he would go to a school to learn war skills, called
Telpuchcalli. Weaponry included bows and arrows, swords, spears, and slingshots
(Dossick 1538).
The Aztecs werent just focused on religion and military skills; they made great
advances in the arts and sciences. Educated people taught hieroglyphic reading and
writing, astronomy, arithmetic, etc. The Aztecs used direct representation in their writing
and pictures, and their many records helped us understand what we know of them today
(Dossick 1685). The Aztecs lacked the domesticated animals needed for farm work; so
much of the labor was done manually. Timing and the weather was key for Aztec
agriculture, farmers knew many remedies and ceremonies to help crops grow (Dossick
2262).

Gomez3
Review
If you become easily disinterested, and do not have a high desire to learn about
Aztec life, then I strongly do not recommend this book. The reading level is somewhat
higher than what I am used to, but the writing is verystraight out and to the point. I liked
how the chapters are organized, so I can easily maneuver through the pages and find the
information I am looking for, whether I want to know more about their religion or
military, the factsare well arranged. Philipp Dossick himself, states in the introduction
that he does not recommend this book if you fall asleep during lectures. It is college level
reading material, and requires focus and alertness, otherwise the material may be hard to
grasp. My understanding of Aztec traditions, culture, and history has greatly expanded.
Aztecs are usually stereotyped as uncivilized savages, but after reading I was surprised
to find out that the Aztec people are very rooted in their morals and manners. Parents
were strict on children, thepunishments ranged from beatings, to slavery, or even death,
depending on social class. Their religion was complex, like their civilization, in
comparison to other peoples in the area. Not only does Philip Dossick cover the basics
such as history, military, and religion, he also goes into detail about childbirth,
punishment, and early life of Aztec children. Ive learned the Aztecs had a court system
similar to what we have today. Crimes were taken seriously, for the Aztecs had high
morals and did not tolerate small crimes such as intoxication. It was interesting to find
out that in periods of war, even women would fight, along with teenagers above the age
of 15. To my astonishment even the disabled would help in war with the use of slingshots
and bows and arrows. After all, the Aztecs military success is what gained them so much
power and territory. I overall, enjoyed reading Philip Dossick's work. By the end of the
book, youll feel as if you lived during the time of the Aztecs. I recommend this book, to
those searching for a general history lesson on Aztecs.

Gomez4

1.What is their occupation? What are they known for?

The Aztecs are know for their military skills, religious ceremonies, moral
traditions, and their advancements in the arts, sciences, and architecture. The rise to
great political power of the Aztecs from their former position of subjugation in the valley
of Mexico was due to their military prowess and achievement, and the people were aware
of this factor (Dossick 1385). There was a constant fight for honor in society, which
could be achieved through military success; warriors were highly regarded especially if
they were great fighters and conquerors. Children were taught at an early age to be tough,
and were taught to use weapons such as bows and arrows, spears, and clubs in order to
ensure their ability to fight (Dossick 1406). Schools called the Telpuchcalli were created
to train young men, were they ran, wrestled, and even played the sport of tlatchli, a ball
game (Dossick 1495) In times of war, almost everyone was called to serve, including
women, and children over 15 years old. A battle started with warriors using slingshots to
propel stones towards the enemy, then archers, then the warriors would charge with
swords and shields. The main objective was to capture the enemy; killing was only
resorted to if necessary (Dossick 1560).
Religious ceremonies were almost always taking place. They believed in many
gods, and believed each god controlled something, whether itd be rain, the sun, the
harvest, or military success. Sacrifices were made to please the gods, and festivals took
place to worship the gods. The method of the sacrifice, generally, in killing the victim,
was to place his body upon a temple altar, cut open the breast to get at the heart, cut it,
remove it, and offer it to the sun and idols (Dossick 941). Animals were sacrificed for
these gods, food was offered up as well, and censers were used to please the Gods
(Dossick 984). The temple of the Huitzilopochtli cult was the greatest Aztec religious
center. Its debatable that when the Spanish conquered, that the Aztecs were evolving
towards monotheism with Tezcatlipoca as a main god (Dossick 1028). Movies today,
sometimes display these Aztec religious ceremonies, especially the sacrifices.
The Aztecs werent just savages, they had many morals and had great manners.
Parents endeavored to teach their children good habits of polite speech, and resorted to
severe punishments for any breach of good conduct (Dossick 687). Parents would give
their children exhortations, which were basically instructions on how to live life. Some of
these exhortations included not to mock, interrupt an elder, imitate bad behavior, and
dont eat voraciously (Dossick 729).
Aztec art, science, and architecture were greatly advanced compared to other
peoples during that time. We know that the higher priesthood representing the learned
class taught hieroglyphic reading and writing, oratory, and arithmetic, the calendar,
divination, astronomy and astrology, medicine, history, geography, poetry, songs and
hymns for the gods, dancing, music, mythology, law and tradition.(Dossick 1685). The
Aztec people were known for their ability to keep track of time. They created a calendar
called Toxcatl, an essential part of their life (Dossick 380). Paintings including not just
the picture but also incorporated writing in the form of hieroglyphics (Dossick 1687).
Architecture took precise skill, without the use of sophisticated tools. Great monuments
were built with just manual labor. They built large temples and pyramids with great walls
surrounding them, mainly for their chiefs or gods (Dossick 2591).

Gomez5
2.What are their cultural origins? 3.What was their personal history?
The Aztecs got many traditions of their culture from their predecessors, which
were the Toltecs. The Aztecs, who similarly were to borrow every feature of the daily
life of the Toltecs, and their achievements in cultural lines, were the last of the invading
Nahuan tribes to reach the valley of Mexico (Dossick 62). It wasnt until later, when the
Spaniards invaded their territory, that Aztec culture was influenced by European culture
(Dossick 63). The complex culture of the Valley of Mexico which the Spaniards found,
did not, however, originate with the Aztecs. The Toltecs were the builders of a high
civilization, and built the foundation for the Aztecs. About a hundred years later, the
Aztecs settled on the Mexican plateau, surrounded by the marshes around the lake of
Mexico (Dossick 62). Early in the fifteenth century, nearly one hundred years after the
founding of Tenochtitlan, the Aztecs broke loose from their subjugation to surrounding
tribes, and formed an offensive and defensive alliance with two neighboring and kindred
groups at Tezcuco, (the Acolhua branch of the Nahuan), and Tlacopan (Dossick 82).
Gradually, the Aztecs built up their power and became the great empire we read about
today.
4. What is the history of their country? How did the history impact their success or
failure?
During the 6th century, the Nahuan peoples migrated to Mesoamerica from
northern Mexico, and they populated central Mexico, spreading political influence
towards the south. Nomadic peoples also mixed in this area, some settling in
Mesoamerica. (Aztec par 10). Once the Aztecs settled in the Valley of Mexico, they
were a tributary of Azcapotzalco, but after the assassination of its ruler, his successor
Itzcoatl allied with the ruler of Texcoco, who allied the ruler of Tenochtitlan, together
they were a triple alliance who defeated Azcapotzalco in 1428 (Aztec par 11). This
alliance impacted the Aztecs because without it, they would have never gotten the
foundation to rise to power and become dominant (Aztec par 12).
Also occurring in Mexico was Spanish conquest. The Spaniard Corts conquered
the capital of the Aztec Empire, Tenochtitlan in 1519 (Aztec par 15). Eventually, after
the death of the ruler at the time, Moctezuma II, the empire weakened, and the Spaniards
took down the capital of Tenochtitlan (Aztec par 16). This impacted the Aztec empire
negatively, because after that, much of its culture was lost. Not only did Spanish rule help
to the Aztecs decline, but their diseases also contributed. Small pox was the final blow to
Tenochtitlan, killing about 10-50% of the population (Aztec par 18).
5. What group is associated with them?
The group associated with the Aztecs are the Spaniards. Moctezuma, the ruler at
the time, first heard of the landing of Cortes on the Mexican coast, verbally, then with
paintings that showed what they looked like. Charles V, to whom he sent information,
sponsored Cortes mission. (Dossick 1964). The Spaniards were in search of new lands,
new people to use as slaves, and communities to trade with.
6. What are the practice/traditions of the group associated with them?
The Spaniards were focused on expanding into other regions, such as
Mesoamerica. Once they starting conquering the Aztecs, they imposed their own

Gomez6
practices on them. This included their religion of monotheism or the belief in one God.
(Dossick 1037). Spanish priests tried to impose their beliefs on the Aztecs, by educating
them. (Dossick 2964). The Spanish were quick to destroy Aztec buildings such as statues
of gods or temples because the Spanish did not want them worshipping false idols
(Dossick 2539). The Spanish leaders used tactics to help them conquer peoples, such
tactics included forming allies, which they did to conquer the Aztecs. They allied with the
Aztecs enemy, the Tlaxcalans. (History Curriculum Homeschool par 8).
7. Do they practice a religion, philosophy, belief system or other devotion?
The Aztecs were polytheistic, which meant they believed in many gods and
goddesses. They worshipped nature, had shamans, and worshipped many idols (Dossick
920). So strict were the priests in the practice of honesty and chastity, than any deviation
there from could be punished with death. It was felt that if they were there as ministers of
god, and they were beheld indulging in vicious habits and profane behaviors, it would
ultimately lead their followers to undervalue their faith and treat it with derision. Religion
was not taken lightly, but it was one of the key elements to Aztec daily life.
Festivals were held to thank the gods, and ceremonies took place to worship or
keep the gods happy. Some traditions that the Aztecs practiced include, fasting,
prostrations, kneeling, and sacrifice. Sacrifices were either done by killing and taking out
the victims heart, or drowning in the lake (Dossick 941). For agricultural festivals,
infants were the preferred victims for sacrifice, especially those with twisted tufts of hair
on their heads, or infants born under a lucky sign.
The reason for these high monuments that the Aztecs built were that they could be
closer to the skies, where the Gods were present. Clothing was influenced by their
religious practices as well. The Topiltzin, or chief of priests, wore a red habit, crown of
feathers, gold earrings, and a turquoise pendant under his lip. The other five ministers
were dressed in white habits of the same make, but embroidered with black; their hair
was wrapped up, with their heads bound with leather thongs, their foreheads armed with
little shields of paper pained various colors, and their bodies dyed black all over
(Dossick 962). Animals such as quails and falcons were sacrificed as well, along with
rabbits, deer, and coyotes. Bowls of boiling food, and special dishes were given up to the
Gods too (Dossick 984).
The Aztecs had four main Gods; one was Huitzilopochtli, the tribal war god, and
supreme god to the warrior class (Dossick 1006). Tezcatlipoca, was the all around
powerful god of the Nahuan people, he judged and punished sinners. Tlaloc was the god
of water, rain, clouds, thunder and mountains, he was important to the farmers.
Quetzalcoatl was the special god of the priest class, the god of wind and air. He was
gentle, and the invention of the calendar was attributed to him (Dossick 1028). Aztecs
believed confession would absolve them from their crime, so they would confess to
Tlacatectl the goddess of confession (Dossick 1072).
8. What impact have they had on the world?
The Aztecs impacted the world today because they came up with the number zero,
and our modern day calendar came about with their ancient Aztec calendar. The words
coyote, mesquite, and tomato came from the Aztec language. The Aztecs created an early
form of chocolate, and their usage of ink on their bodies, are like our modern day tattoos.

Gomez7
They also did not allow young people drink alcohol and become intoxicated, which is
like our society today where we have laws that prohibit underage drinking (Yahoo
Answers: Aztec life and culture affect our world par 1). Much of what we know in
medicine, science, and math came from the ideas of the Aztecs.
9.Would you be interested in meeting them? Why?
Yes, I would be interested in meeting them. I would want to hear their language
and how they say certain words, because from what Ive read, I cant pronounce any of
their words. I would want to see their village, and religious temples, because of their
advanced architecture. I would love to wear some of their ceremonial garments, with the
feathered headdresses and gold jewelry. I would want to play the game tlatchli with them.
I would only want to meet them if I was on some sort of peace agreement, I wouldnt
want to seem like an intruder and be captured and/or sacrificed to a god.

Gomez8
Works Cited
Aztec Wikipedia. N.p., n.d. Web. April 28, 2013.
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aztec#Migrational_period>.
Dossick, Philip. Aztecs: Epoch of Social Revolution.
Bloomington: IUniverse, 2011.
"How did Aztec life and culture affect our world today? - Yahoo! Answers." Yahoo!
Answers - Home. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Apr. 2013.
<http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=1006021713713>.
Tenochtitlan, the time Cortez arrived in. History Curriculum Homeschool | Heritage
History. Heritage History. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Apr. 2013.
<http://www.heritagehistory.com/www/heritage.php?
Dir=wars&FileName=wars_aztecs.php>.