What type of government did the Teotihuacan have?
What was the Teotihuacan Government like? The government of the Teotihuacans, in Mesoamerica (S.I.c. and VIII.c.), was characterized by the centralization of political power between religious and military. Theocratic government, together with the military force, allowed the expansion of the city, making it one of the largest in the region.
What is the significance of the city of Teotihuacan?
Human sacrifices found at the foundations of La Ciudadela. Teotihuacan was one of, or was, the largest population in the Basin of Mexico during its occupation. Teotihuacan was a large pre-historic city that underwent massive population growth and sustained it over most of the city's occupancy.
Is Teotihuacán a corporate state?
This would put Teotihuacán almost to the level of resembling the Roman republic, a powerful civilization ruled by a chamber of rulers. On the other hand, it is also accepted to say that this power shared by elites is similar to a corporate state.
What were the dominant houses in Teotihuacan politics?
According to studies of the city's iconography, there were at least four dominant houses in Teotihuacan politics, represented by the coyote, the feathered serpent, the jaguar and the eagle. Each was in charge of specific sectors of society.
Did Teotihuacan have a centralized government?
Abstract. Teotihuacan was the first urban civilization of Mesoamerica and one of the largest of the ancient world. Following a tradition in archaeology to equate social complexity with centralized hierarchy, it is widely believed that the city's origin and growth was controlled by a lineage of powerful individuals.
Who ruled over Teotihuacan?
But it was the Aztec, descending on the abandoned site, no doubt falling awestruck by what they saw, who gave its current name: Teotihuacan. A famed archaeological site located fewer than 30 miles (50 kilometers) from Mexico City, Teotihuacan reached its zenith between 100 B.C. and A.D.
Was Teotihuacan a theocracy?
Teotihuacanos formed a theocratic society and religion occupied a position of prime importance. They worshipped gods associated with the natural elements of water, the earth, and fertility. The gods included Tlaloc (the god of rain), Chalchiutlicue (the goddess of water), and Quetzalcoatl (the feathered serpent).
What was the economy of Teotihuacan based on?
Teotihuacan had a monopoly on obsidian trade—the most important deposit in Mesoamerica was located near the city. Ceramics, such as pottery and other luxury goods, were also highly prized export goods because of their elaborate decorations.
How did the Aztecs rule their empire?
The Aztec empire was made up of a series of city-states known as altepetl. Each altepetl was ruled by a supreme leader (tlatoani) and a supreme judge and administrator (cihuacoatl). The tlatoani of the capital city of Tenochtitlan served as the Emperor (Huey Tlatoani) of the Aztec empire.
What makes Teotihuacan unique?
Teotihuacan most likely had no royal palace, no ballcourt, and no central areas. It was much larger than cities before it, and the residential areas were much better planned than its predecessors, and it had an innovation unique in world history — the apartment compound.
What was the social structure of Teotihuacan?
Thanks to modern science and discovery, we know that the city was divided into six separate social classes. At the top of the social pyramid were the religious leaders, those who made the laws and rules. The people's religion was a pantheon that worshiped several gods and goddess's, and was likely a focal point.
What best describes the city of Teotihuacan?
What best describes the city of Teotihuacan? The place of Gods, it's Pyramid of the Sun rivalved the pyramids of Egypt, and the city's architects are unknown.
What was Teotihuacan quizlet?
Teotihuacan was the sixth largest city in the world during its period of greatest prosperity, according to an estimated population of 125,000. Identify the pyramids of Teotihuacan? The Pyramid of the Sun-The pyramid was located on the east side of the Avenue of the Dead in the northern half of the city.
What was the economy like in Tenochtitlan?
Due to its island location the Aztec economy was based primarily on agriculture in the form of chinampas. Also referred to as 'floating gardens' chinampas were mounds of dirt and other debris built up in the shallow, swampy areas of Lake Texcoco which surrounded Tenochtitlan.
What type of economic system did the Aztecs have?
Aztecs. The Aztec economy was based on agriculture and trade. Agriculture provided a great variety of fruits and vegetables, such as tomatoes, chili peppers, pumpkins, and beans, necessary to feed the high number of inhabitants in the empire.
On what was Teotihuacan's power and wealth based?
Teotihuacan's power and wealth were based on their trade- they became the center of a thriving trade network. They had a very valuable trade item, obsidian.
Political role of the nobles
The governor and the religious administrative leaders were in charge of managing the city and social control. For this they designed a tax system based on commercial and agricultural activities.
Multiethnic society
It is believed that another of the main aspects for Teotihuacan civilization to possess so much influence and power was multiculturalism, since the city received people from other territories, who contributed economically and culturally to its development.
How many buildings are there in Teotihuacan?
It contains around 2,000 single-story apartment compounds, as well as various pyramids, plazas, temples and palaces of nobles and priests. The main buildings of Teotihuacan are connected by the Avenue of the Dead (or Miccaotli in the Aztec language Nahuatl).
What is the language of the Teotihuacan people?
Little is known about the language, politics, culture and religion of the Teotihuacan people. They had a glyph-based written language, but it may have been limited to dates and names.
What was the influence of Teotihuacan?
Teotihuacan Influence. Artifacts found in the city and sites across Mexico suggest Teotihuacan was a wealthy trade metropolis in its prime. In particular, the city exported fine obsidian tools, including spear and dart heads.
What cultures lived in Teotihuacan?
Teotihuacan appears to contain features of various cultures, including the Maya, Mixtec and Zapotec.
Where is Teotihuacan located?
Ongoing Research. Sources. Teotihuacan is an ancient Mesoamerican city located 30 miles (50 km) northeast of modern-day Mexico City. The city, which was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987, was settled as early as 400 B.C. and became the most powerful and influential city in the region by 400 A.D.
Where is the Ciudadela?
The Ciudadela is situated at the south end of the Avenue of the Dead. The 38-acre (15-hectare) courtyard contains multiple elite residential complexes and is dominated by the Temple of Quetzalcoatl, a kind of truncated pyramid that is adorned with numerous stone heads of the Feathered Serpent deity.
Who built the city of Teotihuacan?
It’s unknown who built the ancient city. Scholars once believed the ancient Toltec civilization may have built the massive city, based largely on colonial period texts. But the Toltec culture (900-1150 A.D.) flourished hundreds of years after Teotihuacan peaked.
What is the history of Teotihuacan?
Archeological evidence suggests that Teotihuacan was a multi-ethnic city, and while the official languages used by Teotihuacan is unknown, Totonac and Nahua, early forms of which were spoken by the Aztecs, seem to be highly plausible. This apparent regionally diverse population of Teotihuacan can be traced back to a natural disaster that occurred prior to its population boom. At one point in time, Teotihuacan was rivaled by another basin power, Cuicuilco. Both cities, roughly the same size and hubs for trade, both were productive centers of artisans and commerce. Roughly around 100 BC however, the power dynamic changed when Mount Xitle, an active volcano, erupted, and heavily impacted Cuicuilco and the farmland that supported it. It is believed that the later exponential growth of Teotihuacan's population was due to the subsequent migration of those displaced by the eruption. While this eruption is referenced as being the primary cause for the mass exodus, recent advancements of dating have shed light on an even earlier eruption. The eruption of Popocatepetl in the middle of the first century preceded that of Xitle, and is believed to have begun the aforementioned degradation of agricultural lands, and structural damage to the city; Xitle's eruption further instigated the abandonment of Cuicuilco.
When did the population of Teotihuacan grow?
In the Tzacualli phase (c. 1–150 CE) , Teotihuacan saw a population growth of around 60 to 80 thousand people, most of which are believed to have come from the Mexican basin. Following this growth however the influx of new residence slowed, and evidence suggests that, by the Miccaotli phase, c. 200 CE.
What was the largest population in the Basin of Mexico during its occupation?
Human sacrifices found at the foundations of La Ciudadela. Teotihuacan was one of, or was, the largest population in the Basin of Mexico during its occupation. Teotihuacan was a large pre-historic city that underwent massive population growth and sustained it over most of the city's occupancy.
How many square miles is Teotihuacan?
The city covered eight square miles; 80 to 90 percent of the total population of the valley resided in Teotihuacan. Apart from the pyramids, Teotihuacan is also anthropologically significant for its complex, multi-family residential compounds, the Avenue of the Dead, and its vibrant, well-preserved murals.
Why is Teotihuacan called Teotihuacan?
The term has been glossed as "birthplace of the gods", or "place where gods were born", reflecting Nahua creation myths that were said to occur in Teotihuacan. Nahuatl scholar Thelma D. Sullivan interprets the name as "place of those who have the road of the gods." This is because the Aztecs believed that the gods created the univers e at that site. The name is pronounced [te.oːtiːˈwakaːn] in Nahuatl, with the accent on the syllable wa. By normal Nahuatl orthographic conventions, a written accent would not appear in that position. Both this pronunciation and the Spanish pronunciation [te.otiwaˈkan] are used, and both spellings appear in this article.
When was the first human settlement in Mesoamerica?
The first human establishment in the area dates back to 600 BC, and until 200 BCE there were scattered small villages on the site of the future city of Teotihuacan. It is estimated that the total population of the Teotihuacan Valley during this time was approximately 6,000 inhabitants. During the period from 100 BC to 750 AD, Teotihuacan had evolved into a huge urban and administrative center with cultural influences throughout the broader Mesoamerica region.
What does Teohuacan mean?
Archeologist Veronica Ortega of the National Institute of Anthropology and History states that the city appears to have actually been named "Teohuacan", meaning "City of the Sun" rather than "City of the Gods", as the current name suggests.
What happened to the Teotihuacanos?
About 750 ce central Teotihuacán burned, possibly during an insurrection or a civil war. Although parts of the city were occupied after that event, much of it fell into ruin. Centuries later the area was revered by Aztec pilgrims. The origin and language of the Teotihuacanos are yet unknown.
What did the priest-rulers do in the ruined city?
The priest-rulers who governed the city also staged grand religious pageants and ceremonies that often involved human sacrifices. In addition to some 2,000 single-story apartment compounds, the ruined city contains great plazas, temples, a canalized river, and palaces of nobles and priests.
What kind of government would Teotihuacan have?
This would make Teotihuacan a kind of oligarchic theocratic republic, with leaders of the elite social stratum at the head of society: priests, military leaders and other representatives of powerful ethnic groups. This would put Teotihuacán almost to the level of resembling the Roman republic, a powerful civilization ruled by a chamber of rulers.
What was the political and social organization of Teotihuacan?
The political and social organization of Teotihuacan was structured with a strong hierarchy of classes in a multiethnic people, governed by a highly theocratic state, made up of several members of the upper classes or elites of their society.
What is the theory of stability of the Teotihuacan civilization?
Accordingly, the theory is accepted that the stability of Teotihuacan civilization may have been based more on the pride of the sense of citizenship than on the dependence by submission of the middle and lower social classes towards dominant rulers or intimidating deities.
What was social stratification in Teotihuacan?
The social stratification in classes was a marked characteristic in Teotihuacan civilization. The upper classes or elites mentioned above were at the top of the structure, and its members were the priests, military chiefs and leaders of important and powerful houses or families within the empire.
How many houses were there in Teotihuacan?
According to studies of the city's iconography, there were at least four dominant houses in Teotihuacan politics, represented by the coyote, the feathered serpent, the jaguar and the eagle. Each was in charge of specific sectors of society.
When did the Aztecs reach the city of Mexico?
This town reached its splendor between 200 a. C. and 700 d. C.
Was the world governed by theocracy?
As it was said at the beginning, until now it is believed that the society was governed by a theocratic state administration. In other words, the leaders of this civilization exercised their power not only as heads of state, but also as religious leaders representing the gods.
Where is Teotihuacan located?
Teotihuacán is only 40 kilometres, or 25 miles, northeast of Mexico City . The Teotihuacán Archaeological Zone is in the town of San Juan Teotihuacán, which is in the federal state of Mexico State ( Central Mexico ). There are a number of highly rated hotels (for a list and to book, see Booking.com) in the town, to suit all budgets.
How to see the ancient city of Teotihuacan?
The best way to experience the ancient city of Teotihuacan – from above. Floating above the pyramids and the avenue of the dead in a hot air balloon will give you a view of the ruined city few others have.
What is the second largest pyramid in Mexico?
Temple of the Moon, the second largest pyramid at Teotihuacán. The profile of the pyramid copies the profile of Cerro Gordo Mountain north of the site. Teotihuacan is one of the finest archaeological sites of pre-Columbian Mexico.
What did the Aztecs name the place where the gods were created?
Teotihuacán has been captivating people for many years. The vast settlement with its stepped pyramids, temples and platforms lining a central ‘avenue of the dead’ so impressed the Aztecs they named it the place where gods were created. We are still intrigued, and archaeologists continue to debate who built this ancient city.
How long does it take to visit Teotihuacan?
The journey out to the archaeological site only takes about an hour, and can be done using public or private transport, but many opt for a day-trip.
What to wear to visit Teotihuacan?
Be aware that temperatures at the site are usually higher than in nearby Mexico City. A sun hat, sun lotion, and sunglasses are advisable, with plenty of water being a must.
Is Teotihuacan open to visitors?
Teotihuacán closed for several months in 2020 but is now open to visitors once again, with only limited restrictions introduced that help keep visitors safe.
Overview
The town
The town has been named a Pueblo con Encanto (Town with Charm) by the government of the State of Mexico, as well as a Pueblo con Encanto del Bicentenario (of the Bicentennial). It was chosen as representative of the history of the State of Mexico due to the archeological site and the historic buildings that are in the town proper.
History
According to myth, this site was chosen by the gods to create the center of the universe. Settlement began here around 500 BCE as a village making stone objects. Starting in the 2nd century CE, it grew into a political and religious center which lasted until the 9th century. This was the largest urban center to be constructed in central Mexico until Tenochtitlan further south in the 15th centur…
The archeological site
The main attraction here is the Teotihuacan archeological site, which is a World Heritage Site. The center of the site is the Calzada de los Muertos or the Avenue of the Dead, which is almost four kilometres long. The city surrounds this avenue in mostly symmetrical form, which can best be seen at the Pyramid of the Moon at the north end or the Temple of Quetzalcoatl at the south end. Mos…
The municipality
As municipal seat, the town of San Juan Teotihuacán is the local governing authority for about 115 other named communities with a combined territory of 82.65km2. A little under half the municipality's population lives in the town proper. The municipality borders the municipalities of Temascalapa, Acolman, Otumba de Gómez Farías, San Martín de las Pirámides and Tecámac.
Overview
Teotihuacan /teɪˌoʊtiːwəˈkɑːn/ (Spanish: Teotihuacán) (Spanish pronunciation: [teotiwa'kan] (listen); modern Nahuatl pronunciation (help·info)) is an ancient Mesoamerican city located in a sub-valley of the Valley of Mexico, which is located in the State of Mexico, 40 kilometers (25 mi) northeast of modern-day Mexico City. Teotihuacan is known today as the site of many of the most archi…
Archeological site
Knowledge of the huge ruins of Teotihuacan was never completely lost. After the fall of the city, various squatters lived on the site. During Aztec times, the city was a place of pilgrimage and identified with the myth of Tollan, the place where the sun was created. Today, Teotihuacan is one of the most noted archeological attractions in Mexico.
Name
The name Teōtīhuacān was given by the Nahuatl-speaking Aztecs centuries after the fall of the city around 550 CE. The term has been glossed as "birthplace of the gods", or "place where gods were born", reflecting Nahua creation myths that were said to occur in Teotihuacan. Nahuatl scholar Thelma D. Sullivan interprets the name as "place of those who have the road of the gods." This is because th…
History
The first human establishment in the area dates back to 600 BCE and until 200 BCE there were scattered small villages on the site of the future city of Teotihuacan. It is estimated that the total population of the Teotihuacan Valley during this time was approximately 6,000 inhabitants. During the period from 100 BC to 750 AD, Teotihuacan had evolved into a huge urban and administrat…
Culture
Archeological evidence suggests that Teotihuacan was a multi-ethnic city, and while the official languages used by Teotihuacan is unknown, Totonac and Nahua, early forms of which were spoken by the Aztecs, seem to be highly plausible. This apparent regionally diverse population of Teotihuacan can be traced back to a natural disaster that occurred prior to its population boom. A…
Threat from development
The archeological park of Teotihuacan is under threat from development pressures. In 2004, the governor of Mexico state, Arturo Montiel, gave permission for Wal-Mart to build a large store in the third archeological zone of the park. According to Sergio Gómez Chávez, an archeologist and researcher for Mexico's National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) fragments of an…
See also
• Asteroid 293477 Teotihuacan
• Cerro de la Estrella, a large Teotihuacano-styled pyramid in what is now part of Mexico City
• List of archaeoastronomical sites by country
• List of megalithic sites
Further reading
• Berrin, Kathleen; Esther Pasztory (1993). Teotihuacan: Art from the City of the Gods. New York: Thames and Hudson. ISBN 978-0-500-23653-6. OCLC 28423003.
• Braswell, Geoffrey E. (2003). "Introduction: Reinterpreting Early Classic Interaction". In Geoffrey E. Braswell (ed.). The Maya and Teotihuacan: Reinterpreting Early Classic Interaction. Austin: University of Texas Press. pp. 1–44. ISBN 978-0-292-70587-6. OCLC 49936017.