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Time Compass

The Aztec Empire (#104)

Beginning with the Olmecs and Zapotecs, this 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 that the Aztecs developed staple crops that are commonplace today. They also learn of Aztec religious beliefs and why the Aztecs welcomed Hernan Cortéz as a god, rather than a military leader, who would eventually destroy their civilization. The episode compares the history of the Aztec Empire with that of the Ottoman Empire that was expanding rapidly under Suleiman’s leadership. [19 minutes] TV-Y7 Closed Captioning

This show aired...

Information For Teachers

Grade Levels
6-8
Curricular Areas
Social Studies
Series Length
16 episodes
Average Episode Length
19 minutes
Record Rights
Recording/duplication allowed as long as IPTV broadcasts the series. If you miss the broadcast, contact your AEA for copies.

Visit the IPTV Education website to access timely, relevant resources for your classroom.

Series Description: Based on a series of books, the Time Compass uses innovative and stylized animation to portray significant historical events and transport the viewer through time to ancient civilizations from around the world. From simple inventions to influencing our modern government, these societies have shaped the way we live today.

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All Upcoming Episodes

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    This episode talks of the early civilizations that were established in Mesopotamia and the major forces of history as it traces the move from caves, to cities and towns, and eventually to civilized... [20 minutes] TV-Y7 Closed Captioning

  • The Mayas (#108)

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  • The Byzantine Empire (#110)

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    From the annual flooding of the Nile to the mysteries of the Rosetta stone, students learn key facts about the Ancient Egyptian civilization and what was happening during the same period of time in... [19 minutes] TV-Y7 Closed Captioning

  • Incas & The Andean Cultures (#102)

    At the same time as the Turks were invading Byzantium, legend has it that Inca civilization was established by the sun god, Inti, who sent his representative to form the first Inca family and... [18 minutes] TV-Y7 Closed Captioning

Past Episodes

These episodes of Time Compass aired in the last few months on Iowa Public Television.

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