Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
The Mexica, also known as the Aztecs, were an indigenous civilization that flourished in central Mexico from the 14th to the 16th century. They built a vast empire with Tenochtitlan as their capital city.
The Templo Mayor was a massive temple complex located in Tenochtitlan dedicated to Huitzilopochtli (the god of sun and war) and Tlaloc (the god of rain). It represented the center of religious life for the Mexica.
Chinampas: Chinampas were artificial islands created by layering mud on top of woven reed mats anchored to lakebeds. These floating gardens allowed the Mexica to grow crops such as maize and vegetables in their swampy surroundings.
Sacrifice: Sacrifice played a significant role in Aztec religion. It involved offering human or animal lives to appease gods or ensure favorable outcomes. Sacrificial rituals were performed at temples like Templo Mayor.