Aztecs
a race of people who settled in Mexico early in the 14th century, ultimately extended their dominion over a their supremacy at the time of the arlarge territory, and were still extending were speedily subjugated. Their political rival of the Spaniards, by whom they organization, termed by the Spanish writers an absolute monarchy, appears to have consisted of a military chief exwriters an absolute monarchy, appears power in civil affairs, in which the counpower in civil affairs, in which the counthe judges had also a voice. Their most was reigning when the Spaniards arcelebrated ruler was Montezuma, who legitimate, but the children of slaves rived. Slavery and polygamy were both AZTECS wore regarded as free. Although ignorant of the horse, ox, etc., they had considerable knowledge of agriculture, maize AZTECS cord events they used an unsolved hieroglyphic writing, and their lunar calendars were of unusual accuracy. Two special deities claimed their reverence.
AZTEC ALTAR PIECE IN THE TEMPLE AT PALENQUE and the agave being the chief produce.
Silver, lead, tin, and copper were obtained from mines, and gold from the HINTZILOPOCHTLI, AZTEC GOD OF WAR Hintzilopochtli, the god of war, propitiated with human sacrifices; and Quetzalcoatl, the beneficent god of light and air, with whom at first the Aztecs were AZTEC PALACE AT MITLA, MEXICO surface of river beds, but iron was unknown to them, their tools being of bronze and obsidian. In metal-work, feather-work, weaving and pottery they possessed a high degree of skill. To redisposed to identify Cortez. Their temples, with large, terraced, pyramidal bases, were in charge of an exceedingly large priesthood, with whom lay the education of the young. As a civilization AZULINE of apparently independent origin, yet closely resembling in many features the archaic Oriental civilizations, the Aztec civilization is of the first interest.
Some of the Aztec descendants still retain their ancient language.