1 Eclipse short answer questions (SAQs) w/Stimulus

SAQ practice for AP World History (Eclipse day!) 1 of 6

Primary Source SAQ #1: Excerpt from the Florentine Codex
“When [the eclipse] came to pass, he [the Sun, Tonatiuh] turned red; he became restless and
troubled. He faltered and became very yellow. There were a tumult and disorder. All were
disquieted, unnerved, frightened. There was weeping. The common folk raised a cry, lifting their
voices, making a great din, calling out, shrieking. There was shouting everywhere. People of light
complexion were slain [as sacrifices]; captives were killed. All offered their blood; they drew straws
through the lobes of their ears, which had been pierced. And in all the temples there was the singing
of fitting chants; there was an uproar; there were war cries. It was thus said: “If the eclipse of the
sun is complete, it will be dark forever! The demons of darkness will come down; they will eat
men!””

 Identify how the Aztecs interpreted solar eclipses within their cosmological views.

Primary Source SAQ #1: Excerpt from the Florentine Codex
“When [the eclipse] came to pass, he [the Sun, Tonatiuh] turned red; he became restless and
troubled. He faltered and became very yellow. There were a tumult and disorder. All were
disquieted, unnerved, frightened. There was weeping. The common folk raised a cry, lifting their
voices, making a great din, calling out, shrieking. There was shouting everywhere. People of light
complexion were slain [as sacrifices]; captives were killed. All offered their blood; they drew straws
through the lobes of their ears, which had been pierced. And in all the temples there was the singing
of fitting chants; there was an uproar; there were war cries. It was thus said: “If the eclipse of the
sun is complete, it will be dark forever! The demons of darkness will come down; they will eat
men!””

 Explain how astronomical events, like solar eclipses, were used by the Aztec leadership to
maintain power or control over the population.

Primary Source SAQ #1: Excerpt from the Florentine Codex
“When [the eclipse] came to pass, he [the Sun, Tonatiuh] turned red; he became restless and
troubled. He faltered and became very yellow. There were a tumult and disorder. All were
disquieted, unnerved, frightened. There was weeping. The common folk raised a cry, lifting their
voices, making a great din, calling out, shrieking. There was shouting everywhere. People of light
complexion were slain [as sacrifices]; captives were killed. All offered their blood; they drew straws
through the lobes of their ears, which had been pierced. And in all the temples there was the singing
of fitting chants; there was an uproar; there were war cries. It was thus said: “If the eclipse of the
sun is complete, it will be dark forever! The demons of darkness will come down; they will eat
men!””

Compare the Aztec use of astronomy to another civilization's use of astronomy for political or religious purposes.