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Aztec Temples

A look at the Aztec Step Pyramids

Aztec temples were built in order to worship the many different Aztec gods. These Aztec temples, which were built in the form of step pyramids, each had two staircases. The two staircases within each of the Aztec pyramids then led to two different shrines. In accordance with the Aztec culture, their priests performed human sacrifices in side these shrines in order to honor their gods.

Recognizing Step Pyramids

Step pyramids are a specific type of pyramid that was built by many different ancient cultures. In general, step pyramids are quite large and contain multiple layers of stone. These “layers” serve as steps, hence the name “step pyramid.” Although many cultures built step pyramids, there isn’t necessarily a connection between these different cultures. The style of the Aztec temples most resembled the step pyramids built by the early Mesoamerican people, such as the Maya.

The Great Pyramid

Perhaps the best known of the Aztec pyramids is the Great Pyramid, or Templo Mayor. This Aztec temple was the main temple of their religion and was also the capital of Tenochititlan, which is the modern day Mexico City. This step pyramid rose to an impressive 197 feet above the city. Like all Aztec temples, it contained stairways leading to shrines, but these shrines were built specifically in order to pay tribute to the Aztec gods of Huitzilopochtli (the god of war and the sun) and Tlaloc (the god of rain and fertility).

The shrine of Huitzilopochti was located on the right side of the Aztec temple. It was painted in red and white in order to symbolize both war and sacrifice. The shrine of Tlaloc, which was located to the left, was decorated in white and blue in order to symbolize moisture and water.

Being the most important of the Aztec temples, the Great Pyramid underwent many changes during his existence. It was enlarged multiple times, with the final renovation taking place in 1497. During this final renovation, the Aztec people documented having sacrificed 84,000, though modern historians believe it was probably closer to 3,000.

The Great Pyramid was extremely steep. In fact, the top of this grand Aztec temple could not be seen unless it was climbed. This was done intentionally to signify their belief that the gods were far above the people and all earthly things. As such, the Aztec temples symbolically demonstrated that no one could come even close to the gods unless on top of the pyramid, because the Aztec gods lived in the sky. Many smaller building were also built around this largest of the Aztec temples. Sadly, much of this temple was destroyed by Hernan Cortes during his 1521 invasion.