Introduction
Though there is a mistaken opinion about Aztecs being barbaric and uncivilized it is to be said that Aztecs were a nation of rich cultural values and beliefs. Existing in XIV-XVI centuries in central Mexico they also had a rich mythology which spoke for their cultural heritage; hence, their society can definitely be understood as civilized not barbaric. The Aztecs created a great civilization of Middle Ages that reached its peak in 1500’s.
The Aztec Three Aspects of Civilization
Religion Development
Aztecs had their own art heritage, political order, and religious beliefs. The religion was mainly presented by the sacrificial offerings and worshiping gods who ruled the nature forces, as Aztecs used to think. Moreover, most art and architecture in their civilization was bound to their religion. There are many proofs of religious ceremonies left on the walls that have murals and paintings and on bark.
Art Heritage
The Aztec civilization was truly amazing as there is no other civilization on Earth that would have created the same great calendar as Aztecs had. It was a calendar stone of 22 tons and 12 feet in diameter having and image of Aztecs thought the universe was. (The Getty Villa: The Aztec Pantheon). This should be a good evidence for considering the Aztec civilization to be very advanced according to those times and civilizations existing. Overall, the advanced way of life does not leave any doubts according to Bernal Diaz del Castillo: ‘… which was very richly furnished in their manner’ and ‘a very rich necklace, made of golden crabs, a marvelous piece of work…’ (Diaz del Castillo, p.219). Indeed, the Aztec nation still amazes the modern society with the pieces of jewels they used to make. Such laborious tasks could be carried out only by highly devoted and civilized personnel. In the picture of a gold necklace placed in the Field Museum it is visible to the naked eye that the work is so fine and marvelous that it is even hard to believe the necklace was made in fifteenth century. (FMP: Artisans and Merchants: Golden necklace)
Aztecs’ Economical System and Entertainment
Moreover, the Aztecs can be deservedly called brilliant economical civilization since they have a very extensive and substantial system of markets. They used to sell all kinds of products ranging from beans to animals’ skin. (FMP: Artisans and Merchants: An Aztec marketplace). Besides the marketing and economical development the Aztecs civilization did think of political, religious and entertainment issues. For that there was invented a game called Ullamaliztli, hence, the ball court was built. It was a very difficult game to play with a huge rubber ball. (FMP: Warriors: An Aztec ballcourt).
Moreover, talking about the civilized way of living it has to be mentioned that Aztecs had their own writing that was in pictographs, or small pictures meaning objects or sounds. Even more than that, they had a numbering system as the highest mean of civilization.
Conclusion
The Aztec Empire was a very powerful body during those times compared to its contemporaries. It has to be admitted that the Aztec people’s culture and insights were quite advanced. The swampy ground made the Aztecs erect houses more solidly by planting the seeds on the log rafts and rooting themselves this way in boggy soil. Interesting, how the fifteenth century man made his dwelling comfortable by cutting the canals through such ground in order to have a personal ‘driveway’ with some canoe awaiting at the back entrance.
These and other evidences are enough to say that the Aztec culture was far from being Barbaric. It bore a resemblance of an advanced culture with own economical, religious, and political system. Therefore, I stick to the point of view that the Aztec civilization was merely an ancestor of a modern state structure.
Works Cited
Diaz del Castillo, Bernal., John M. Cohen. The Conquest of New Spain. London: The Penguin Books. Ltd., 1963. Print.
The Getty Villa, 2010. The Aztec Pantheon and the Art of Empire.
The Field Museum. The Aztec World. Photo Gallery. 2008. Web.