Teotihuacan

Definition

Teotihuacan was an ancient Mesoamerican city located in the Basin of Mexico, known for its monumental architecture and extensive urban layout. It flourished from around 100 BCE to 650 CE and was one of the largest cities in the world during its peak, influencing the development of later cultures, including the Aztec civilization.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Teotihuacan was at its height around 500 CE with a population estimated between 100,000 to 200,000 people.
2. The city is famous for its layout, which includes a grid pattern and major thoroughfares like the Avenue of the Dead.
3. Teotihuacan was a major economic center known for its trade networks that reached as far as Central America.
4. The origins of Teotihuacan's people remain uncertain, but it had a diverse population that contributed to its rich cultural and artistic achievements.
5. The city's decline around 650 CE remains a mystery, but it had a lasting impact on later civilizations, especially the Aztecs who revered it as a place of their gods.

Review Questions

• How did the urban planning of Teotihuacan reflect its social organization and cultural values?
  • The urban planning of Teotihuacan displayed advanced knowledge of architecture and urban design, with a grid layout that facilitated trade and movement. Major structures like the Pyramids of the Sun and Moon were centrally located, indicating their importance in religious practices. This organized city layout also suggests a sophisticated social hierarchy, as it accommodated various classes within its expansive community.
• Discuss the significance of Teotihuacan's trade networks in relation to its influence on later Mesoamerican cultures.
  • Teotihuacan's extensive trade networks were crucial in establishing it as a significant economic powerhouse in Mesoamerica. The city traded goods like obsidian, pottery, and textiles with regions as far away as Central America. This exchange not only contributed to its wealth but also facilitated cultural diffusion, spreading ideas, technologies, and religious practices that later influenced civilizations such as the Aztecs.
• Evaluate the impact of Teotihuacan on Aztec civilization, considering both cultural reverence and practical influences.
  • Teotihuacan had a profound impact on Aztec civilization through both cultural reverence and practical influences. The Aztecs viewed Teotihuacan as a sacred site associated with their gods, even naming it 'the place where gods were born.' They adopted architectural styles and religious practices from Teotihuacan while using its ruins to legitimize their own power. This connection reflects how earlier civilizations can shape new cultural identities while still influencing societal structures long after their decline.

Related terms

Pyramids of Teotihuacan: The massive structures within Teotihuacan, including the Pyramid of the Sun and the Pyramid of the Moon, which served both religious and ceremonial purposes.

Mesoamerican Culture: A diverse set of cultures that developed in Central America, characterized by advanced agricultural practices, urban centers, and complex social structures.

Quetzalcoatl: A prominent deity in Mesoamerican mythology, often associated with wind, air, and learning; worshiped by various civilizations, including those at Teotihuacan and later by the Aztecs.