Aztec Quiz Review

What does this map best reveal to us about the Aztec Empire?

• Tenochtitlan had many buildings, which is a characteristic of a civilization. 

• The Aztec Empire includes a very large geographical area that shows how powerful the Aztec people were.

• The Aztec Empire started being built in 1427 and covered a small area of land.

• Tenochtitlan was on an island in Lake Texcoco; it had a grid of causeways or roads that shows how organized the Aztec Empire was.

The Aztecs created a calendar stone. What characteristic of civilizations does this best match?

• Accumulated learning

• System of tribute

• Trade

• Centralized government

Moctezuma's Throne: This artifact was built to honor the ruler of the Aztec Empire in 1507, Moctezuma. The artifact represents a temple (a building devoted to worshiping the gods). According to legend, being seated on the throne meant being seated over the Earth and the underworld.

Part A

What characteristics of civilizations does Moctezuma's throne reveal about the Aztec civilization? Choose the two correct answers.

• Centralized government

• System of tribute

• Accumulated learning

• Organized religion

• Surplus food

Moctezuma's Throne: This artifact was built to honor the ruler of the Aztec Empire in 1507, Moctezuma. The artifact represents a temple (a building devoted to worshiping the gods). According to legend, being seated on the throne meant being seated over the Earth and the underworld.

Centralized government & Organized religion

Part B

Choose two of the characteristics from above and explain why the throne is an example of that characteristic.

• Centralized government - the people of the empire rebelled against the Gods and made their own rules.

• Centralized government - Moctezuma was a ruler and he created rules for his people to follow.

• Organized religion - because the artifact represents a temple (a building devoted to worshiping the gods).

• Organized religion - the Aztec Empire built the temple because they disliked the Gods and they were bored.

Part A

What characteristic of civilizations is shown in the map of Tenochtitlan?

• System of tribute

• Economy and job specialization

• Centralized government/ state systems

• Planned infrastructure

Part B

What piece of evidence from the picture shows that characteristic of civilization?

• Planned infrastructure - this map shows the Combined knowledge to help create a smarter society.

• Planned infrastructure - this map shows causeways, canal systems, and other things that were built to help people.

• Planned infrastructure - this map shows the belief system of a civilization.

• Planned infrastructure - this map shows the payment to government of taxes (money or food).

What does the tzompantli (skull rack) reveal about the Templo Mayor/Aztec Empire?

• The heart of the city was the tzompantli (skull rack), and it was symbolic of the Aztec's spiritual beliefs.

• The tzompantli (skull rack) was used to show the passing of time, which showed the Aztecs had a high level of mathematical thinking.

• The tzompantli (skull rack) showed that religion and human sacrifice played a central role in the lives of the Aztecs in Tenochtitlan.

• The tzompantli (skull rack) served as an indicator of Aztecs' place in social hierarchy. Those who lived closer to the tzompantli (skull rack) had a higher status in society.

Part A

What characteristic of civilizations is shown in the model of the Tenochtitlan marketplace?

• Accumulated learning

• Economy and job specialization

• Civilization

• Arts

Part B

What piece of evidence from the model shows that characteristic of civilization?

• Accumulated learning - It shows people from the empire learning in school with Mr. Price.

• Economy and job specialization - It shows a marketplace where items are sold and traded and that shows economy.

• Civilization - It shows a group of people advancing and learning together.

• Arts - It shows a group of people painting, sculpting, and dancing.

Think about the Aztec Empire. We know it is a civilization.

Pick three characteristics and examples to support the chosen characteristics.

• Accumulated learning - some examples are the Aztec Stone and Symbols.

• Planned infrastructure - some examples are painting, dancing, and music.

• Trade - some examples are the Aztec Market District and swapping goods.

• Centralized government/ state systems - some examples are sacrifices to the sun god and the skull rack.

• Surplus food - some examples are farming different crops and fishing.