Mayans, Aztecs, Incas

Bellringer 10/1

Read “Linking Past and Present” on page 595 and then answer the following:

1. On average, how much chocolate do you eat per week?

2. Why do you think only the rich in Europe enjoyed chocolate in the 1500s?

I. Mayans1. Settled in Peten Guatemala about 500 a.d. in

a dense rain forrest2. Rulers said they were descendant of the sun

– god kings3. Religion was the core of Mayan Life4. Had a city-state government – each city state

had it’s own leader5. Sacrificed captives to their gods6. Mayan civilization came to a mysterious end

II. Aztecs

1. Arrived in Valley of Mexico about 1250 A.D.

2. Worshipped the sun god Quetzalcoatl3. Built the city of Tenochtitlan which

means “place of the prickly pear cactus”

4. Collected tribute from conquered people

5. Saw death as honorable6. Sacrificed captives to their gods

III. Aztec Society

1. King or Emperor2. Nobles3. Commoners (largest group) – could join

noble class by performing one act of bravery in war

4. Unskilled laborers5. Enslaved People

IV. Incas1. Pachacuti developed the largest

Ancient American Empire in A.D.1436 in modern day Peru

2. Designed road system to connect the empire

3. Believed in the sun god Inti4. Built Machu Piccu as a retreat for

Incan kings5. Developed quipu - MATH

V. Incan Social Classes

1. Coyas – rulers and wives2. Head Priest and army commanders3. Regional army leaders4. Temple priest, army commanders, skilled

workers5. Farmers, herders and ordinary soldiers