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The Time Compass: The Aztec Empire

19 minutes 37 seconds

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Beginning with the Olmecs and Zapotecs, the episode traces the Aztec takeover from the North, their military conquests, and their sacrifices to the sun god. It also covers Aztec ingenuity in the construction of garden sites on swampy ground and achievements, such as a public education system, Aztec calendar, and Aztec mathematics. Students learn that human civilization began to take form once nomads learned to farm, and the Aztecs developed staple crops that are commonplace today. They also learn about Aztec religious beliefs and why the Aztecs welcomed Hernan Cortez as a god, rather than the military leader, who would eventually destroy their civilization.

Media Details

Runtime: 19 minutes 37 seconds

Topic: Geography, History, Literature
Subtopic: Ancient History, Children's Literature, South America
Grade/Interest Level: 5 - 8
Standards:

Release Year: 2009
Producer/Distributor: New Dimension Media/Questar
Series: The Time Compass
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Teacher's Guide

Digital illustration of ancient artifacts from the Shang dynasty including a stone dragon and oracle bone script with early Chinese calligraphy. Caption. Because the rulers were all from the same family.

Simple map with brown edges is labeled, "Dinastía Qin." Spanish caption. Qin Shi Huang se proclamó emperador.

Digital illustration of diverse people exchanging goods for money in a crowded square. Caption. That it formed a new base of power for the Roman Empire.

Color illustration of a faded battle scene with an arc of gold objects passing through it. Spanish caption. Estas tremendas guerras que comenzaron en el año 1096.

Color illustration of ancient Egyptian people standing in a garden with water running through it. Text on image reads, "Irrigation system. Shaduf." Caption. Which let them grow more crops.

Color illustration of fish swimming in water next to a green platform with water running through it. Text on image reads, "Sistema de riego. Shaduf." Spanish caption. Narrador. Los egipcios necesitaron mucho ingenio.

Computer model of the city of Caral. The Incan city is tiered with a stairway connecting from the amphitheater at the bottom to a grouping of walled structures at the top. Next to this, an animated alpaca and sign that reads, "Caral year 3,000 B, C."

Digital map of South America with Chile highlighted in a light color. Labeled countries along Chile's Eastern border from top to bottom include, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia. Spanish caption. Hasta el norte de Argentina y centro de Chile.

Animation of a woman wearing a white sheer dress dancing on a stage for a man wearing a green tunic and gold headband seated behind a small wood desk. Caption. It seems that Paris, a Trojan prince.

Computer rendering of a few Greek statues and artifacts made to look like they have been placed on display on top of a grassy field. Spanish caption. Los griegos se hicieron esa misma pregunta.

Viewer Comments

Trishia K. (Cleveland, OH)

September 21st, 2017 at 08:38 AM

The video was excellent in giving students a visual to help them understand the Aztec Empire.
Kristin M. (Santa Barbara, CA)

December 8th, 2016 at 11:34 AM

Great resource for the classroom.
Anonymous (Henderson, NV)

September 28th, 2016 at 07:12 AM

Time compass series is the best. It is a very valuable teaching tool for me.