Some achievements of the Aztecs include:
1. Tenochtitlan: The Aztecs built the magnificent city of Tenochtitlan, which was the capital of their empire and one of the largest cities in the world at the time. It was built on an island in Lake Texcoco and had advanced infrastructure, including causeways, canals, and aqueducts.
2. Agriculture: The Aztecs developed advanced agricultural techniques, such as chinampas (floating gardens), which allowed them to grow crops in the marshy areas around their city. This innovative farming method increased their food production and supported their growing population.
3. Calendar: The Aztecs had a complex and accurate calendar system. They had two calendars: the solar calendar, which had 365 days, and the sacred calendar, which had 260 days. The combination of these two calendars created a 52-year cycle known as the "Calendar Round."
4. Education: The Aztecs had a well-organized education system that provided education to both boys and girls. They had schools called "calmecac" for noble children and "telpochcalli" for commoners. Education focused on religion, history, warfare, and practical skills.
5. Medicine: The Aztecs had a sophisticated understanding of medicine and healing. They used various medicinal plants and herbs for treating illnesses and injuries. They also had specialized doctors called "ticitl" who performed surgeries, set bones, and treated diseases.
6. Art and Architecture: The Aztecs were skilled artists and architects. They created intricate and colorful sculptures, pottery, and jewelry. Their architecture featured impressive structures like temples, palaces, and ball courts, often adorned with intricate carvings and murals.
7. Trade and Economy: The Aztecs had a thriving trade network, which allowed them to acquire various goods from different regions. They used a barter system and had a standardized currency called "cacao beans." Their economy was based on agriculture, tribute from conquered regions, and trade.
8. Military: The Aztecs had a powerful military and were skilled warriors. They expanded their empire through military conquests and maintained control over their vast territories through a well-organized army. They also developed advanced weapons like the macuahuitl, a wooden sword embedded with obsidian blades.
9. Floating Gardens: The Aztecs developed the chinampas, also known as floating gardens. These artificial islands were created by layering mud and vegetation on rafts, which were then anchored to the lakebed. The chinampas were highly productive and provided a sustainable food source for the growing population.
10. Writing and Codices: The Aztecs had a system of writing using pictograms and glyphs. They created codices, which were books made of bark paper, to record historical events, religious rituals, and astronomical observations. Although many of these codices were destroyed during the Spanish conquest, a few survived and provide valuable insights into Aztec culture and history.