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Mayans, Aztecs and Incas

Mayans, Aztecs and Incas. Mayans. Southern Mexico to El Salvador City-states linked through trade Salt, flint, shells, honey Craft good Cocoa beans as currency Agriculture Maize, beans, squash Slash and burn. Mayan Religion. Polytheistic Pray and offerings of food

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Mayans, Aztecs and Incas

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  1. Mayans, Aztecs and Incas

  2. Mayans • Southern Mexico to El Salvador • City-states linked through trade • Salt, flint, shells, honey • Craft good • Cocoa beans as currency • Agriculture • Maize, beans, squash • Slash and burn

  3. Mayan Religion • Polytheistic • Pray and offerings of food • Pierce body for blood offering to nourish Gods • Human sacrifice to please Gods and balance world

  4. Math Supports Religion • Developed calendar, math, astronomy • Day lucky or unlucky depending on God • Based calendar off planets, sun and moon • Based on concept of zero, solar year 365.2420 days

  5. Mayan Calendar

  6. Decline of Mayans • Toltec's – invaders from Central Mexico • War broke out in city-states • Disrupted trade, economic hardship • Population growth • Over farming damage lands • Food shortages, famine and disease

  7. Aztecs • Poor, nomads from Northern Mexican deserts • Founded city of Tenochtitlan • Based power on conquests and tribute from conquered people • Local rulers govern own religion • Tributes of gold, maize, cacao beans, cotton • Destroy village if no tribute paid

  8. Rise of Aztecs • Social classes • Emperor – absolute power • Nobles - Military leaders, priest and govt. officials • Commoners – merchants, artisans, soldiers, farmers • Slaves • Tenochtitlan – city grows from trade • Three raised roads, Great Temple, aqueducts

  9. Aztec Religion • Public ceremonies • Offerings to Gods, rituals • Calendar – religious festivals • Sun God • Rise sun, nourished by blood • Human sacrifice – priest carve out hearts of POW’s atop Great Temple • New conquest to fulfill blood supply

  10. Fall of Aztecs • Montezuma • Demand more tributes and sacrifice • Caused rebellion • Human resources funneled into religious activities • Need for prisoners, warfare less aggressive and deadly

  11. Incas • Southern Peru • Ruler was descended from sun god • Worshipped dead rulers, mummies • Military • Force only when necessary • Offer surrender before attacking, • Be able to keep own customs and rulers in exchange for loyalty to Incas

  12. Inca Government • Central bureaucracy • Official language, founded schools • Ayllu – worked for common good, build irrigation canals, farm, stored food • Mita – all able-bodied citizens work for number of days a year • Road System

  13. Govt. Cont. • Total Economy • Regulated production and distribution of goods • Upper and lower land, producing what other could not • Land • State • Religious • Community • Irrigation system – store water for dry weather

  14. Religion and Decline of Incas • Two calendars – gods who ruled the day and time • Nature spirits – moon, starts, thunder • War • Enemy used roads to move troops • Elimination of welfare • People unable to care for themselves

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