Aztecs, Incas, Mayans

Native Americans of Latin America

Aztecs

• Lived in Central Mexico

• Their capital was Tenochtitlan (Mexico City)– It was originally built on two islands in the middle

of Lake Texcoco.

Tenochtitlan

Way of Life

• Warrior Society– Highly developed military

• Farming was the main job.– “Floating Gardens”• rafts filled with mud to grow crops.

• Lived in huge cities

Religion

• Main God– God of War and Sun• Demanded constant war and human sacrifice

Government

• Emperor had supreme power over everyone!!

• Well organized

Education

• Controlled by the priests

• Learned history, Aztec traditions, and crafts

• Some were chosen for special schools to learn official religious duties

Contributions

• Roads with “rest stops”

• Making education mandatory

• Gold work and the beginnings of medicine

• Farming on ‘floating boats”

Mayans

• Lived in the Yucatan Peninsula

• The capital of the second empire was Chichen Itza

Way of Life

• Lived in small settlements in the country

• Large cities were religious centers– No one lived there all the time.

• Almost all Mayans were farmers

Religion

• Worshipped rain gods, gods of soil, sun god, corn god

• Believed all gods and humans descended from the sun and moon

Government

• Not a lot known about their government

• Historians think:– Each large city

controlled the area around it.

Education

• Children learned at home from their parents

Contributions

• Accurate calendar (354 days)

• Advanced Math (discovered Zero)

• Advanced writing system

• Pyramid Architecture

Study the Stars and Created the Mayan Calendar

Mayan Numbers

Mayan Hieroglyphics

sky king house child citysky king house child city sky king house child citysky king house child city

Kukulcan

Incas• Lived in the Andes

Mountains– Mainly in Peru

• Their capital was Cuzco.

• Famous Inca city is Machu Picchu.

Machu Picchu

Way of Life• Farmers–Grew cotton, maize (corn), potatoes–Carved flat surfaces in mountains to farm• Terrace farming

• Artisans:–Bricks–Gold and Silver Jewelry–Pottery

Created irrigation and roads

Religion

• Incas were polytheists (believed in many gods)– Main god: Viracocha (Sun God)

• Priests were also surgeons.

• Sometimes sacrificed animals and children

Government (Socialism)• Had an Emperor– Believed he was a descendent of the Sun God

• Had a class system– Priests– Soldiers– Artisans– Farmers– Slaves

• Mita (Labor Tax): Required people to work for the emperor a short time each year.

Education

• Royalty• Went to school at age 13• Learned religion, government, history, and moral

norms

• Citizens– Did not go to school– Learned from their grandparents and parents

Contributions• Architecture– The way Incas created cities, irrigation, and roads

were GENIUS!