16.2 – Maya Kings & Cities

Maya• Lands stretched from southern Mexico to northern Central America

• Lowlands (North) – rain forests & dry scrub

• Highlands (South) – cool, mountainous

• Built on Olmec influences

Urban Centers • 250-900 A.D. – Classic Period

• Build spectacular cities – Tikal, Copán, Chichén Itza

• Formed independent city-states– Ruled by god-king– Centers for trade &

religion

• Feature pyramids, temples, elaborate carvings, ball courts

Agriculture & Trade• City-states linked by two

things:– Alliances & Trade

• Trade salt, shells, honey, cotton textiles, jade

• Cacao acts as currency• Diet: Maize, beans, &

squash• Techniques:

– Slash-&-Burn– Raised beds & terraces

Society • Farming & trade = Huge amounts of wealth

• Social classes develop– Nobles: priests &

warriors– Middle: Merchants &

artisans– Bottom: peasants

• Kings on top society– Holy figure,

hereditary

Religion• Polytheistic– Good, evil, or both

• Associated with directions & colors– North (White)– South (Yellow)– East (Red)– West (Black)– Center (Green)

• Worshipped gods through food, flowers, & blood

• Practiced human sacrifice– Victims into a cenote (hole)

w/ gold, jade & offerings– Pleased the gods &

balanced the world

Math & Astronomy • Religion = development of calendars, math, & astronomy

• Calendars very accurate– Days lucky or unlucky b/c

of gods; had to know– Two linked calendars:

• 260 & 365 days

• Based on positioning of the sun, moon, & planets

• Math system based on 20 & included zero = accuracy

Written Language• Most advanced of the ancient Americas

• Consisted of ~800 glyphs (symbols)– Whole words of syllables

• Record writings in a codex

• Famous writings: Popol Vuh– Recounts the Maya story

of creation– P. 448

Decline • Mysterious decline• Late-800s: abandon

cities• Toltecs settle in lands &

change culture• Warfare increases &

disrupts trade• Population growth &

over-farming = shortages & famine

• Maya are weak & divided by time Spaniards arrive