Introduction
Current knowledge about the Aztec people can be obtained from various archaeological works and referring to historical documents. The culture of these people flourished in central Mexico from the 12th to 16th centuries. The Aztecs were innovating in economics, politics, and other areas of life, but the Aztec civilization was destroyed and eventually mixed with the Spanish. Tenochtitlan, located in the territory of modern Mexico City, was the last of the great Aztec cities destroyed in 1521. The cultural heritage and social system of the Aztecs is a unique phenomenon, the results of which can be observed by modern humans because the way of organizing their society at the time was advanced, even though they were called barbarians.
The Aztec Culture
The cultural heritage of the Aztecs is indeed exemplary for the time, and their way of organizing society enabled them to develop their State actively. The Spanish admired Tenochtitlan’s architecture but considered the Aztecs barbarians and “thought only of seizing their riches” (Leon-Portilla XXXIII). Therefore, the end of the city is connected with the invasion of the territory of the Aztec people.
Until the end, the Aztecs maintained a progressive social organization and were famed for their literature and architecture. The people who first came to Tenochtitlan were impressed by his organization and purity (Leon-Portilla). Thus, the Aztec people were culturally developed and offered the inhabitants a quality of social life, so they were role models for other states.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Aztec State only existed for a short time, but in a short time, the Aztec people were able to set an example for others. The cities they built were distinguished for their extraordinary beauty and order, which the Spanish conquerors also admired. The cultural heritage of the Aztecs still attracts the attention of architects, historians, and ordinary people who are interested in the subject. The social system of these people was well organized, allowing them to live fully and qualitatively, developing their native lands.
Work Cited
Leon-Portilla, Miguel. The Broken Spears: Aztec Account of the Conquest of Mexico. Beacon Press, 1992.