Phys.
2. What were the most significant differences among the Mayan, Aztec and Incan societies?
There were significant differences amongst the Mayan, Aztec, and Incan societies. Besides basic geographical differences, they also varied in lifestyle, religion, and societal rule. While their differences were many, the cultures of these civilizations were historic.
The Mayans had an articulate and scientific lifestyle. They understood and studied astronomy, math, and art. They displayed some of their art in the form of pyramids. The Mayans also created a sophisticated calendar, which played into their religion, as well. Maya religious practice emphasized performing rituals at specific times, which served as an impetus for further refinements of the calendar1. They had an educated language, as well as written methods of communicating it; as noted in their Book of Council, or Popul Vuh. They Mayans worshipped their supreme being Kukulcan and held the belief of the offering of blood. Before their civilization crumbled, they were a society that had cities ruled by a sovereign ruler. Though their civilization did fall, it stood and lasted almost a thousand years, much longer than that of the Aztecs or the Incas2.
Before the Aztecs fell to the Spaniards that came to conquer their land, the Aztecs of Mexico were a more warrior centered culture; raising warriors from birth. War was an article of religious faith3. They believed in imperial expansion and campaigned to acquire warriors to meet that need. The Aztecs were initially ruled by the head of the family, although that morphed into being led by one leader or emperor. The Aztecs were slightly more barbaric than the Mayans. Whereas the Mayans believed in blood offerings, the Aztecs were proponents of human sacrifice. They worshipped Hultzllopochtll, but did believe in numerous lesser gods, in which temple priest served to honor. The Aztecs were a mighty civilization, however strong they were; they were unable to stand
There were significant differences amongst the Mayan, Aztec, and Incan societies. Besides basic geographical differences, they also varied in lifestyle, religion, and societal rule. While their differences were many, the cultures of these civilizations were historic.
The Mayans had an articulate and scientific lifestyle. They understood and studied astronomy, math, and art. They displayed some of their art in the form of pyramids. The Mayans also created a sophisticated calendar, which played into their religion, as well. Maya religious practice emphasized performing rituals at specific times, which served as an impetus for further refinements of the calendar1. They had an educated language, as well as written methods of communicating it; as noted in their Book of Council, or Popul Vuh. They Mayans worshipped their supreme being Kukulcan and held the belief of the offering of blood. Before their civilization crumbled, they were a society that had cities ruled by a sovereign ruler. Though their civilization did fall, it stood and lasted almost a thousand years, much longer than that of the Aztecs or the Incas2.
Before the Aztecs fell to the Spaniards that came to conquer their land, the Aztecs of Mexico were a more warrior centered culture; raising warriors from birth. War was an article of religious faith3. They believed in imperial expansion and campaigned to acquire warriors to meet that need. The Aztecs were initially ruled by the head of the family, although that morphed into being led by one leader or emperor. The Aztecs were slightly more barbaric than the Mayans. Whereas the Mayans believed in blood offerings, the Aztecs were proponents of human sacrifice. They worshipped Hultzllopochtll, but did believe in numerous lesser gods, in which temple priest served to honor. The Aztecs were a mighty civilization, however strong they were; they were unable to stand