Maya Aztec and Inca Ancient Civilizations Maya Review

Maya, Aztec, and Inca Ancient Civilizations

Maya Review � Enormous cities with many temples in form of pyramids Priests-ran the government, ruled cities & performed ceremonies (Lord Pacal-one of the most famous Maya rulers) Rulers did not do their job alone—chose a council of elders & warriors ▪ Enforcers and Judges

�One people Same language and used same system of counting Same myths, same gods Same laws, same style of clothing

�Religion Many gods—polytheistic ▪ Gods were a huge part of their daily life ▪ God of Rain, lady Rainbow, God of maize (corn), God of Sun ▪ People offered a chocolate drink to the gods & drank it Afterlife ▪ Commoners buried dead in their homes (under floors) ▪ Nobles-buried in tombs Underworld (one of 3 layers of their world) Masks and Mirrors (used by priests and men)

�Slaves People captured from warring tribes ▪ Worked in nobles’ homes, cared for children, worked in fields �Sacred Ball Games-watched by many people Pok-a-tok Human sacrifice! Why did the Mayan people disappear? -War? Famine? Disease? Environment? -Spanish came & invaded in the 1500 s…

Aztec People � According to legend, the capital Tenochtitlan (“the Place of the Prickly Pear Cactus”) was founded in 1325 (current Mexico City). City states included pyramid-like temples, ball courts, palaces, canals, aqueducts, schools, roads, etc. Calpulli leaders-4 elected nobles on the council ▪ One was selected as the ruler (tlatoani) ▪ In Tenochtitlan, the “huey tlatoani” (great speaker)-Emperor ▪ Emperors-believed to be related to gods

Mexico flag…What do you see?

Government �Expansion—war �When Aztecs conquered a tribe, they demanded tribute: food, clothing, precious stone, supplies, captives (often sacrificed to their gods) Hated and feared by other tribes… �The emperor lived in Tenochtitlan �The empire had city-states controlled by noble families �Crime & Punishment---quite severe

Religion �Polytheistic—believed in many gods Gods for every aspect of their life Believed that success in daily life depended on blessings of gods Temples and shrines �Believed human sacrifice was necessary

Slavery �Nobles had slaves They were not captured people, but Aztecs 2 ways to become a slave: punishment for a crime or sold into slavery ▪ You could not be born into slavery ▪ Slaves could buy their freedom or run towards it!

Spanish Invasion �Spanish soldiers led by Hernan Cortes came to the empire looking for gold (with horses and guns). �Spanish brought with them diseases that the Aztecs had never had and couldn’t recover. �Many were killed, including the ruler, Montezuma II.

�Montezuma II (ruled 1502 -1520) thought that it was a god that arrived (actually Cortes). Montezuma II sent gifts-hoping to keep him away from Tenochtitlan, but Cortes wanted gold… Cortes persuaded angry, upset Aztec city-states to overthrow Montezuma II �Montezuma II was arrested- many were upset at Montezuma II and so they rose up. Montezuma II was killed…

Montezuma II’s Death � Debated for hundreds of years… Montezuma II—used as a puppet to control the Aztecs Spanish forces arrived to arrest Cortes A revolt was incited by a Spaniard left in control of Tenochtitlan Cortes brought out Montezuma II to calm the crowd…the Spanish say that Montezuma II was killed by the angry crowd The Aztec account says he was found with 5 wounds from a Spanish dagger After killing hundreds of Spanish and forcing Corets out, Cortes’ forces defeated the Aztecs and took control of the empire.