Empires of the South

Maya, Aztec, and Inca

Civilizations

Created large civilizationsGroup of people with an advance culture

Had writing, record keeping, organized gov’t, religion, cities, social classes, and specialized workers

Maya

Lived in southern MexicoCleared swampsFarmed

Drained marshes and built terracesProduced extra for trade

Used Cacao beans like moneyMaster builders

Had temples, stone palaces, and 1-room houses

Priests were the most importantConcerned about pleasing the godsStudied astronomy

Created a 365-day calendarSkilled in math

Developed numbers and the zero

Had a system of writing using hieroglyphs (pictures)

Cities became desertedPotential causes

Climate changesInfertile landInvasion

Maya descendents can still be found in the area

www.sacred-texts.com/nam/maya/index.htm

Aztec

Found in central MexicoHunter-gatherers until legend told them

to settleThey were to build where a eagle was

sitting on a cactusWas in the middle of a lake

Built causeways (raised highways over water) to connect the island to mainland

Cities had pyramids, markets, schools, parks, etc.

Grew food on floating mats anchored to the lake bottomTended by boat

Were war-likeConquered peopleRequired them to pay tribute- tax in good or

services

There was a strict social systemNobles- inherited

Gov’t officials, priests, warriorsCommoners

Could own landPeasant farmersSlaves

Children were free

All those but nobles had to pay tribute

Worshiped many godsMost important were sun and war

Priests were historians and teachers

www.jazzchicago.net/

Inca

Lived in the Andes of South AmericaVery well organizedPeaceful conquerors

Sent ambassadors before warriorsRuled from the capital of Cuzco

Ruler had great powerControlled all goods and services

Most were farmersFarmed hillsides and built irrigation systemsGov’t owned grown food

Most people worked on gov’t projectsIncluded a system of roads

Death of their leader created problems and weakness

www.kidspast.com/.../0285-inca-empire.php

Journal Question

How did agriculture fit into the lives of these three cultures? Explain yourself.