Mesoamerica Mayan Aztec Empires Climate of Mesoamerica Warm

Mesoamerica: Mayan & Aztec Empires

Climate of Mesoamerica Warm Temperatures n Plentiful Rainfall n Rich volcanic soils n – Good for growing crops like maize, beans, and squash.

Early Mesoamerican Civilizations n Olmec – (1200 BC to 300 AD) n Zapotec – (1500 BC to 750 AD) n Toltec – (900 to 1200 AD)

The Mayan Civilization n Developed around 1000 BC – At its height, Maya civilization consisted of some 10 million people spread among 40 cities.

Supporting Large Cities n Trade and agriculture helped support larger populations, and early Maya villages grew into cities.

Mayan Farming Practices n Slash and Burn Agriculture- a method of farming involves burning the vegetation to clear land for planting.

Mayan Cities & Government n Classic Age – (250 to 900 AD) n Mayans built: – Stone pyramids – Temples – Palaces n Who did they build them for? – Local Rulers (Kings) – Gods

Mayan Society & Religion n Society – Kings ruled with absolute power n It was believed they communicated with the gods. – Priests & Warriors n Upper Class – Merchants & Skilled Craftsmen n Middle Class – Farmers & Slaves n Lower Class n Religious Ceremonies – Offering of blood to the gods. (Blood Letting) – Ball Game n Only allowed to use your elbows, knees, and hips to get a rubber ball through a hoop. – Losing team sacrificed. – Human Sacrifice

Religion: Major Gods n Hunahpu – maize god. – Father of the hero twins – Most important deity for the Maya – He brought about the creation for the present world age. n Chac – god of rain, thunder, and lightning. – Both adored and feared by the Maya – He was portrayed as both a benefactor and a violent warrior.

Religion: Major Gods cont. n Gukumatz – Feathered snake god – Taught the Maya the arts of civilization, including codes of law, agriculture, fishing, and medicine. n Ixchel – Earth and Moon Goddess – Goddess of creativity, weavers and childbirth, goddess of medicine and reason, and a bringer of the storms.

Mayan Achievements n Architecture – Buildings – Canals Astronomy n Math n – Used Zero (0) Writing n Calendar System n

Mayan Calendar n The Maya had two calendars: – 365 day farming calendar – 260 day religious calendar n It was more accurate that the European calendar.

Decline of Mayan Civilization n Factors to decline: – Environmental Damage n Overuse of resources – Drought n Not able to feed everyone – Warfare Increased n Competition over lands – Abuse of Power by Kings

End Mayans

The Aztecs n Located in modern day Mexico, and Tenochtitlan was the capital city and is located in what is now present day Mexico City.

Rise of the Aztec Empire n According to legend, the war god told one of the tribes’ leaders that they should look for a place where they saw an eagle perched on a cactus eating a snake. It was there that they should settle and build a new capital. – They built Tenochtitlan after the prediction came true, and it was on a swampy island in Lake Texcoco.

Rise of the Aztec Empire Cont… n Population consisted of farmers & warriors. – Allied with Texcoco and Tlacopan. n After the alliance was formed the empire gained control over many region. – Ruled 400 – 500 other city-states. – 5 Million people under Aztec rule.

Aztec Empire n Conquered people paid tribute. – Tribute was a type of tax. n The Aztec Empire gained wealth: – Trade – Tribute

Tenochtitlan n Size n – Five square miles n n Approximately 3200 acres Population – 200, 000 Architecture – – – Walled City Pyramid Temples Palaces Ball court “Floating Gardens” n Chinampas – Canals – Markets

Aztec Society n Social Classes King Priests & Warriors Though people were born into a certain class it was possible to move up the ranks within a life time. Also apart of the middle class • Merchants and Artisans Farmers Slaves & Prisoners of War

Aztec Religion n Main deity in the Aztec religion was Huitzilopochtli and was known as both the sun god and war god. – Human sacrifice was practiced heavily in the Aztec religion. n Believed that these sacrifices gave power to the gods which in turn would insure the survival of the Aztec civilization.

Religion n War captives were used in the sacrifices – In times of peace the Aztec would have to resort to ritualistic warfar. n In the year 1487 the Aztecs reported killing 84, 400 war prisoners in four days at the great pyramid of Tenochitlan. – After a town was conquered the inhabitants where no longer eligible of sacrifice and became Aztec citizens.

Aztec Art n The Aztecs also made other religious and non-religious artifacts such as jade masks. – These artifacts were sold in markets by visiting merchants.

Aztec Achievements n Written Record – Glyphs- symbols that represented both objects and sounds. n Kept n track of tax record and business details. Astronomy – Calendar like the Mayans, but they also tracked the movements of some planets.

THAT’S ALL FOLKS!