The New Student's Reference Work/Aztecs

Aztecs, the name of the people found in Mexico at the time of the Spanish invasion, 1519, though the name strictly belongs to only one of the seven tribes occupying the country at that time. Aztec tradition represents these people as starting from a place called Aztlan and wandering for about 150 years before reaching Chapultepec. Where Aztlan was, and what was the origin of the Aztec tribes, are still doubtful. Mexico had been previously occupied by a people called Toltecs, a superior race whose ruins still prove skill in the arts of civilized life. These Toltecs were almost destroyed by famine and pestilence in the 11th century, so that the Aztecs found only a few rude, savage races occupying the land. In 1325, they built the City of Mexico, called Tenochtitlan, named after their chief, Tenoch. It was built on a few small islands in Lake Chalco, and was approached only by long and narrow causeways. It was so strongly fortified as to resist even the conquering Spaniards. The Aztecs seem to have been a fierce, savage people, yet with many traces of civilization, some of it probably borrowed from the Toltecs who preceded them. Their chief was chosen by the nobles; the laws were severe, but the courts were open. The records are preserved in the picture-writing of Mexico; the women shared in all the occupations of the men, and were taught to read and write, sing and dance, and were even learned in astronomy and astrology. They believed in one god, but they had many lower gods, of whom the chief was the frightful Huitzilopochtli. His magnificent temples were drenched with the blood of human sacrifices; no less than 20,000 victims, of whom only the heart was used as an offering, were immolated yearly to supply his altars. The priests were a large and powerful class, who had charge of the education as well as the religion of the nation; 5,000 were attached to the great temple of Mexico alone. The last king of the Aztecs was Moctezuma, who was treacherously imprisoned by Cortés and killed by the Aztecs in their reyolt against the Spaniards. See Popular History of the Mexican People and Native Races of the Pacific States, by Hubert H. Bancroft.