THE AZTEC PALACE

THE AZTEC PALACE

Introduction

            The Aztecs palace as a museum object can directly be linked to the prosperity and civilization that took place on an initially small group of nomads that later on spread out to build an empire. The Aztecs were ancient hunters and gatherers often migrating, who initially occupied the northern parts of the Mexican arid areas, they later drifted south and occupied the Mexican valley in the early 1300s. The valley was a mountain basin over 7000 feet above sea level. Believed to have existed during the Mesoamerican period. The Aztecs integrated both hunting and gathering as their economic activities. They would later resort to farming full time and hunting as a supplementary activity. After settling, they gradually expanded their kingdom through their robust warriors. Neighboring territories were attacked and commoners killed, the opponents’ warriors were captured and brought to work on their farms and later used as human sacrifice whenever needed[1]. All these occurrences can be linked to a well-structured political and religious setting with a strong king.

The Aztecs’ palace as a political civilization contributor

The Aztec palace can be used as a factor to argue that it contributed fully to the political evolution that took place in the Aztec empire. As previously discussed, the existence of a palace directly qualified for the existence of a king[2]. The Aztecs’ social rank comprised of a king who was the most supreme being followed by priests and religious leaders, trade associates, and then the commoners who worked on farms. In comparison to neighboring kingdoms, the Aztecs as society progressed faster. The king had sturdy warriors, who won almost every war they picked up. They killed and captured people who would be deployed to work on the farms ensuring there was surplus labor, meaning there was going to be a steady flow of food supply. This saw the Aztecs empire expand rapidly, absorbing other inferior kingdoms. A strong political background enriched the empire.

The Aztecs palace link to religion

Using the Aztecs palace as a museum object to help understand the influence it had on religion among the people. It can be debated that, with an already established political structure, people needed a line of belief. In the case of the Aztecs, they had their way of worship that had demands. The priests and other religious leaders came up with a religious calendar, and one element that stands out is the demand for human sacrifice. The Aztecs believed that in order for them to live in peace as a kingdom, they regularly needed to make peace with their gods.  Above that, to realize a huge steady harvest, the gods too had to be pleased.[3] Through a political structure, these religious needs were easily met. With a strong army, people from neighboring kingdoms were easily captured and used as a human sacrifice. Based on their faith, it was an assurance that now they would reap heavily and still live in peace since they always made peace with their different gods.

The Aztec’s palace role in economic advancements made by the Aztec empire   

            From an archeologist point of view, using the Aztecs palace as a museum object to aid an insight, one would argue that the major advances made by the Aztecs economically were as a result of a strong kingdom. The Aztecs moved into the valley initially as an inferior group, but later on, they grew exponentially and were able to conquer the existing kingdoms and build an empire. This can be attributed to the existence of a palace, which meant they had an organized approach to leadership. Some of the notable civilizations undertaken by the Aztecs are their ability to be able to grow and produce food on an area that was initially swampy. They creatively crafted suspended gardens and grew food. This would later render them a very rich empire based on the production of healthy foods. Their people were healthy end never depicted health-related diseases. The only memorable time they were hit hard by disease was when the Europeans infected them with smallpox and measles. The society was very much organized to the extent that they had constructed channels to get rid of waste in their places. They were able to ensure a stable supply of drinking water that was free from contamination.

The empire had improved infrastructure, including well-trodden footpaths, to link the people to the market. Even though they did not own large animals to aid in transport, opening up roads eased their access to the market.[4] They were able to exchange goods like gold and jewelry. The conducive environment to establish trade stations can be concluded to be as a result of a strong kingdom which directly brings the Aztec palace in the picture.

Conclusion

The Aztec palace as a museum tool gives great revelations about the Aztec empire. A palace implies the existence of a king, a symbol of power. The all-round civilization ranging from political advancement, religious advancement, and economic growth, can all be argued to have come to existence due to a strong political initiated by the Aztecs leader.

Bibliography

Manuel Aguilar-Moreno PhD, Aztec Architecture part 1, 5 – 18

Susan Toby Evans Pennsylvania State University Aztec Palaces and other Elite Residential Architecture 2004 7-8

The British Museum, The Aztecs, 2-4

[5]

[1] The British Museum, The Aztecs, 2-4

[2] Susan Toby Evans Pennsylvania State University Aztec Palaces and other Elite Residential Architecture 2004 7-8

[3] Manuel Aguilar-Moreno PhD, Aztec Architecture part 1, 5 – 18

[4] Ibid., 67-100

[5] Ibid.,71