Ancient Civilizations of the Western Hemisphere

Ancient Civilizations of the Western HemisphereMaya, Aztec, & Inca

Maya - Locationsouthern Mexico into northern Central American called the Yucatan Peninsula

Maya - Climate

dense, steamy rain forests

Maya – Time Period

250-900 a.d.

Maya – Governmentindependent city-states ruled by kings – seen as god-king, established dynasties

Maya – Key City

Chichen Itza

Maya – Economy

1. Agriculture – maize, beans, squash

2. Trade – salt, flint, feathers, shells, honey, jade ornaments, textiles

Maya – Religion1. Polytheistic – many gods2. Pyramids – dedicated to gods and famous rulers

3. Worship included material offerings, bloodletting, human sacrifice

4. Calendar – 260 days, 20 months, 13 days each month

- 365 day solar calendar, different gods ruled different days

5. Mathematics and astronomy – concept of zero, calendar planning

Maya – Writing

800 glyphs (symbols), on bark-paper called codex

Maya – Decline

war and conflict between city states, overuse of land

Aztec - Location

Central Mexico – Valley of Mexico, Modern day Mexico City

Aztec - Climate

Hot, large shallow lakes, good resources, fertile soil

Aztec – Time Period

1200 – 1521 A.D.

Aztec – GovernmentTriple Alliance with Texcoco and Tlacopan, 38 provinces, Emperor with absolute power

- loose control over empire with exception of tribute payments

Aztec – Key City

Tenochtitlan = capital

Aztec – Economy

1. Agriculture – maize, cacao beans, cotton

2. Trading Network – with Tenochtitlan as ultimate marketplace

Aztec – Religion

1. Polytheistic2. Built temples and pyramids

3. 2 calendars 4. Human sacrifices to sun god

Aztec – Writing

No real mention – writing system of pictures derived from earlier MesoAmerican cultures

Aztec – Decline

Montezuma II reign – rebelling tribes

Spanish – Cortez conquered Aztecs in 1521

Aztec Primary Source

1) How does the Author feel about the Aztecs?

2) Do you think the account would have varied from Cortez perspective?

3) What do think in our society would be odd/disturbing to an outsider?

Inca – Location

Andes Mountains of South America – Southern Peru

Inca – Climate

Mountainous

Inca – Time Period

1400- 1532 A.D.

Inca – Government

Believed that ruler was a descendent from the Sun god

Nobility – ruling families Bureaucracy – used small groups to work for the common good

Built extensive road system

Inca – Key City

Cuzco = capitalMachu Picchu – mysterious religious center or royal resort

Inca – Economy

1. Run by the state – regulated production of goods

2. Agriculture on terraced hillsides – maize and quinoa (grain)

Inca – Religion

1. Polytheistic – natural spirits of moons, stars, sun, thunder, etc.

2. 2 Calendars3. Sacrifices

Inca – Writing

None, but had string/knot math/accounting system

Inca – Decline

Civil War between two sons of a king and Pizarro