By Eddie Montezuma
The Aztecs had been an ethnic group with a wealthy mythological and cultural heritage, who lived within the Mexican valley between the 12th and 16th century AD. An really spiritual race, they believed extensively in the practice of human sacrifice. Their architectural grandeur mirrored the values and beliefs that existed in those periods.
Aztec architecture is best described as colossal, intending mainly to reveal their power, while at the same time adhering to powerful religious beliefs. Mainly influenced by the Toltecs of Cohuacan, the Tepanecs of Atzcapotzalco, plus the Acolhuas of Tetzcoco, the Aztecs relied on their architecture to promote their military strength. One of the most awesome aspects of it were the wonderful Aztec pyramids, which were engineered in order to worship their many deities and most importantly, to offer human sacrifices. According to their beliefs, human sacrifices had been necessary to pay back God's blessings, and it was conducted occasionally. Basically sun and moon worshippers, the pyramids were positioned incredibly like a giant celestial calendar, and when the planets line up, it was attainable to see the respective celestial body, when on top of the corresponding pyramid. These pyramids also represented mountains, a source of life-sustaining water and fertility, and they were
also considered as abodes of ancestral spirits, since most significant individuals were buried within them.
The Great Pyramid In Tenochtitlan
The capital of the Aztec empire was Tenochtitlan, an overwhelming city, where probably the most impressive and breathtaking Aztec architecture, The Great Pyramid rose majestically, 60m above the city. The pyramid was a huge structure, possessing a natural sense of order and geometrical symmetry. It consisted of 4 step-like platforms constructed on top of each other, and they related to the 4 cardinal directions. Atop it was the primary temple of Tenochtitlan, which was dedicated to Huitzilopochtli, the god of war and sun, and Tlaloc, the god of rain and fertility.
The Appearance Of Aztec Pyramids
A Serpent Head On Aztec Pyramid
The appearance of most temples was similar on account of its symmetrical terraces and steep steps with ornamental balustrades, rising from the center and pointing towards the heavens. Serpent heads produced of stone had been significantly placed at the end of the stairs, chiefly to keep away bad spirits. The wide platform itself was furnished with sculpted stone blocks and human skulls. The temples and the staircase always faced the western direction. Flat plateaus or sacrificial blocks had been built on the top of the pyramids, with an adjacent chamber for the idol and an antechamber for the priest. The Aztecs used bas-reliefs, walls, plazas and platforms efficiently to represent their gods. Other smaller structures connected with the temple formed a closely placed complex formation around its base.
Yet another stunning feature of the Aztec pyramid temple would be the stone-representation of an eagle that's deemed to be the form of Huitzilopochtli-Tonatiuh, as observed on temples at Tepoztlan, the Temple of the Feathered Serpent in Xochicalco, the round temple of Cempoala, and the temple of Ehecatl in Calixtlahuaca.
Archaeology and historical records reveal how these temples had been the main centers of the Aztecs, since it was here that most of their myths came to life through the procedure of complex rituals. The Great Pyramid, certainly one of the finest testaments of Aztec architecture, was ruined in 1521, in addition to the whole Aztec empire, by the Spanish conquistador Hernn Corts.
About the Author:
The writer is enthusiastic about Aztec history and has a full site featuring the Aztecs. There you'll be able to find information about Aztecs such as this article (http://www.aztec-history.net/aztec_pyramids) . For more of Aztec history, see history of aztec (http://www.aztec-history.net) .
The Aztecs had been an ethnic group with a wealthy mythological and cultural heritage, who lived within the Mexican valley between the 12th and 16th century AD. An really spiritual race, they believed extensively in the practice of human sacrifice. Their architectural grandeur mirrored the values and beliefs that existed in those periods.
Aztec architecture is best described as colossal, intending mainly to reveal their power, while at the same time adhering to powerful religious beliefs. Mainly influenced by the Toltecs of Cohuacan, the Tepanecs of Atzcapotzalco, plus the Acolhuas of Tetzcoco, the Aztecs relied on their architecture to promote their military strength. One of the most awesome aspects of it were the wonderful Aztec pyramids, which were engineered in order to worship their many deities and most importantly, to offer human sacrifices. According to their beliefs, human sacrifices had been necessary to pay back God's blessings, and it was conducted occasionally. Basically sun and moon worshippers, the pyramids were positioned incredibly like a giant celestial calendar, and when the planets line up, it was attainable to see the respective celestial body, when on top of the corresponding pyramid. These pyramids also represented mountains, a source of life-sustaining water and fertility, and they were
also considered as abodes of ancestral spirits, since most significant individuals were buried within them.
The Great Pyramid In Tenochtitlan
The capital of the Aztec empire was Tenochtitlan, an overwhelming city, where probably the most impressive and breathtaking Aztec architecture, The Great Pyramid rose majestically, 60m above the city. The pyramid was a huge structure, possessing a natural sense of order and geometrical symmetry. It consisted of 4 step-like platforms constructed on top of each other, and they related to the 4 cardinal directions. Atop it was the primary temple of Tenochtitlan, which was dedicated to Huitzilopochtli, the god of war and sun, and Tlaloc, the god of rain and fertility.
The Appearance Of Aztec Pyramids
A Serpent Head On Aztec Pyramid
The appearance of most temples was similar on account of its symmetrical terraces and steep steps with ornamental balustrades, rising from the center and pointing towards the heavens. Serpent heads produced of stone had been significantly placed at the end of the stairs, chiefly to keep away bad spirits. The wide platform itself was furnished with sculpted stone blocks and human skulls. The temples and the staircase always faced the western direction. Flat plateaus or sacrificial blocks had been built on the top of the pyramids, with an adjacent chamber for the idol and an antechamber for the priest. The Aztecs used bas-reliefs, walls, plazas and platforms efficiently to represent their gods. Other smaller structures connected with the temple formed a closely placed complex formation around its base.
Yet another stunning feature of the Aztec pyramid temple would be the stone-representation of an eagle that's deemed to be the form of Huitzilopochtli-Tonatiuh, as observed on temples at Tepoztlan, the Temple of the Feathered Serpent in Xochicalco, the round temple of Cempoala, and the temple of Ehecatl in Calixtlahuaca.
Archaeology and historical records reveal how these temples had been the main centers of the Aztecs, since it was here that most of their myths came to life through the procedure of complex rituals. The Great Pyramid, certainly one of the finest testaments of Aztec architecture, was ruined in 1521, in addition to the whole Aztec empire, by the Spanish conquistador Hernn Corts.
About the Author:
The writer is enthusiastic about Aztec history and has a full site featuring the Aztecs. There you'll be able to find information about Aztecs such as this article (http://www.aztec-history.net/aztec_pyramids) . For more of Aztec history, see history of aztec (http://www.aztec-history.net) .