Ancient Civilizations of the Western Hemisphere
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Transcript of 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