Home -> Mexican Culture -> Aztec Indians

Aztec Indians

All about the Aztec Indians of Mexico

Aztec Indians are almost synonymous with Mexican culture. The Aztecs are the most advanced of civilizations that lived in what we now call Mexico at the time of the Spanish invasion. Without Aztecs, we would not have many common luxuries we do today. Running water, irrigation systems, chocolate, and tomatoes are just a few of the things that the Spaniards were able to take back to Europe after their excursions and meetings with the Aztecs. The Aztec Indians of Mexico were an extremely civilized people, even more so in many ways than the Spaniards that invaded. They had a very strict form of government and had a much regimented calendar and daily routine. One of the most enlightening and eye opening books I have read about any indigenous people is Aztec, by Gary Jennings. Although it is a long read, it is well worth the time to take to read it. It covers all of the stories one particular Aztec had to tell. All the day to day activities, festivals, and other happenings were told in a sort of Aztec timeline from the Indians' point of view.

Aztec Indians were able to help the Spaniards cultivate the land, keep livestock, and to acclimate themselves to the climate in modern-day Mexico. They helped them get to know other tribes and to communicate with them, as well. Without the Aztec Indians of Mexico, we would have lost a lot of the culture Mexico has today.