While their culture and political organization were indeed very interesting, the Aztecs did not contribute anything remarkable, unlike their fellow mesoamerican civilizations the Olmecs, Toltecs and Purépechas.
The Olmecs, for instance, brought about innovations such as a writing system, the number zero and astronomical observations that influenced later civilizations such as the Mayans and the Aztecs themselves, while the Toltecs were the Aztecs' predecessors and the Purépechas were one of the few mesoamerican civilizations to use metal for tools and weapons.
by GustavoistSoldier
19 Comments
Where would mayan be?
Oh! These Purépechas sound interesting. First time I’ve ever heard of them, I think, time to make up for that.
‘the Aztecs did not contribute anything remarkable’ – brother you gotta read up on tenochtitlan, if thats not an achievement idk what is
But aren’t the Toltecs disputed? I know the Aztecs referred to them but historians haven’t actually found any archeological evidence that supports it yet
Probably because we don’t know much about the Olmecs or Toltecs. The Aztecs were relatively well documented towards the end of their civilization, so we at least have a grasp of who they were to some degree.
I think i remember thst the Toltec were also the Greece of South America. Every subsequent civilization after them, including the Aztecs, saw themselves as their successor and inheritor of the Toltec legacy. At least I think, I might be mixing it up with one of the others.
But point is that wanking a previous empire and claiming to be its descendant is not a European or Middle Eastern phenomenon
Right ? Was any cultured so revered simply for getting its ass kicked ?
Because we know more about them. Not strange
I had no idea who they were until I asked my grandma if she knows what native Mexican tribe our family descends from. Then the family lore started pouring out of her. She mentioned that back when she was growing up there was no pride in talking about where we come from. Now things are different and she is more open to talking about it. She also mentioned that the Spanish called us the “terascans” (terascanos).
My pre-columbian history sucks. Did the aztecs just put all their stat points into warfare?
Little is known about the Olmecs at this current moment. We know that they existed and were a considerable civilization, but lots of info comes from their rivals.
Well you’re quite wrong in one aspect, but one that is not well known outside of military studies. The Mexica did carry out what was essentially a military revolution in the Americas. They were essentially the Prussia of the mesoamerican world.
And then there’s the poor Chichimeca (Pame, Guachichil, Zacatecos, Guamares etc.) who get basically 0 representation (outside of Medieval II, that is), despite never being militarily conquered.
They managed to wage an effective guerilla campaign that allowed them to negotiate entry into the Spanish Empire. It allowed them to keep some of their cultural identity, too – although, much of that would be lost in time, due to the missionary practices that would influence coming generations.
Seriously, Mesoamerica has A LOT more than just the Maya and Aztecs/Mexica to study. Much, much more.
Then there are the Chichimeca people (Pame, Guachichil, Zacatecos, Guamares) who get 0 representation anywhere (well, except Total War: Medieval II), despite never being militarily conquered by the Spanish.
They managed to wage a guerilla campaign that made the Spanish sue for peace, allowing the Chichimeca to enter the Spanish Empire via negotiations under favorable terms rather than complete subjugation under the sword. It was what allowed them to keep cultural ties alive, at least until the Spanish established missions later on, converting the population to Catholicism.
Seriously, Mesoamerica has A LOT more to offer than just the Maya and Aztecs/Mexica. Much, much more.
The Mayans are where its at, to he honest
chichimecas and mayas, the unconquered ones!
oxford university is older than the aztec empire, it was a well studied culture we don’t know a ton about the rest
I had a student once who spoke Purepecha. I hate to admit I’d never heard of them before that.
The only thing that is known about the Purépechas is that they were the biggest bastards for whores.