Aztec 1100 ad – 1522 AD
Inca
1200 AD – 1532 AD
The Aztec Empire
The mighty Aztecs, a group of well trained
warriors, spread their empire through
conquest and slaughter. Aztec priest tore the
still beating hearts out of their enemies as a
gift of sacrifice to their gods. This tribe of
warriors used their ingenuity to build one of
the greatest cities and infrastructure of the
ancient world.
Rise of the Aztecs
Aztecs entered central Mexican valley from the north. Overthrew Toltecs.
Developed independently from Mayans
Extended empire based on warfare and tribute into Central America
Tenochtitlan: capital city (present day Mexico City)
Built on Marshes of Lake Texcoco
100,000-250,000 residents at peak. Larger than major European cities at the time.
Overview
• The Aztecs slowly expanded their power
till they controlled the most important lands in
South Central Mexico. At its height the Aztecs
controlled an empire of some 22 million people,
making it more populous than any kingdom or
empire in Europe.
• When the Aztecs conquered new lands, the
Aztec emperor allowed for regional kings and
leaders to remain in power as long as they
continued to send tribute.
• Aztec kings held both political and religious
power. They controlled the civil powers and
were seen as representatives of the gods.
• Religion was a key element in
keeping control of conquered
peoples – especially with the
sacrifice system.
Aztec Religion
Religion and Warfare
• The Aztecs worshipped many gods.
• They made as many as 10,000 human sacrifices
per year.
• Most victims were battle captives or slaves.
• Priests led bloody ritual ceremonies.
• The Aztecs fought wars to supply enough
victims for sacrifice.
Cultural Achievements
• The Aztecs created stone pyramids, statues,
jewelry and masks.
• Women wore embroidered cloth.
• The Aztec studied the stars and created a
calendar similar to the Maya’s.
• They recorded historical and cultural events.
• They had strong oral tradition.
Tenochtitlan
At Lake Texoco (Around 1345)
Tenochtitlan
• The Aztecs built canals and
three causeways—raised
roads across water or wet
ground—to make travel
easier.
• To increase the amount of
farmland, the Aztecs created
floating gardens.
• Tenochtitlán was home to
some 200,000 people at its
height.
• Present day Mexico City
Spanish Invasions
Spanish conquistadors led by Hernan Cortes conquered
Tenochtitlan and defeated the Aztecs in 1521AD.
Why the Conquistadors Succeeded
• They had help from people who resented
harsh Aztec rule.
• They used better weapons, including armor,
cannons, and swords, and had big horses that
terrified the Aztecs.
• They spread disease that killed thousands of
Aztecs.
Inca Overview
Inca
Shooting, pillaging and burning, the 16thcentury adventures known as the
conquistadores ravaged the mountain empire
of the Incas. They melted down the Incas’
treasure, executed leaders and enslaved the
people in an overabundance of greed and
destruction. But the last of the Inca rulers
escaped deep into the Andes mountains to a
city as impressive as any Spaniards had
conquered. And when this fugitive emperor
died, he took the secret of his hiding place to
the grave. It is still to be identified.
Location
The Inca controlled an empire
in the Andes Mountain region
of South America.
• Extended for some 3,000 miles.
• Between 9 and 13 million people lived
under Incan rule. Truly remarkable
when you consider the geography and
limited technology of the empire.
Inca: King
• “Sapa Inca” (Only Inca) Son of the Sun
• Organized system of government
Strictly Regulated by Supreme Rule
• All people worked for the state.
Everyone had an assigned job.
• Government officials arranged marriages.
• Education of elites regulated by state.
• The state claimed all resources and
redistributed them. Gave free food and
medicine to all people in the empire
• Stricted laws and a well trained army kept
control of the lands
Moral Code
ama sowa
ama llulla
ama quella
Do not steal
Do not lie
Do not be lazy
The Inca (king) was considered to
be a near god by the people.
Expansion
• Exerted control over regional neighbors
• Late 1400s. Empire spanned from Ecuador to Chile.
• Largest governmental unit in the Americas
• To ensure that he would have a place for eternity each new ruler needed
to expand the empire to gain lands and wealth for the afterlife.
The Incan Road System
The Inca Trail
• A complex system of roads was built
through out the empire with bridges and
causeways (14,000 miles of roads).
•Along these roads, way stations were
placed about a day’s walk apart to serve
as inns, storehouses and supply centers
for the Inca armies.
•They also served as relay points for the
system of runners who carried messages
throughout the empire. A message from
the extreme south would reach the
extreme north in about 9 days.
•The Inca probably had around 10,000
way stations throughout the empire.
Technology/ Trade
• No written language
• Record keeping: “Quipu” System of colored
ropes and knots.
• Advances in metalworking – especially gold
and silver. Also used copper and bronze for
tools and weapons.
Stone Steps
Incan Rope Bridge
Quipu
Incan Engineering
• Potatoes
• Sweet
Potatoes
• Chili
Pepper
• Cotton
• Peanuts
• Tomatoes
Inca terrace farming
70 Main species of crops
Incan Religion
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Less brutal than Aztec and Maya
Tolerant of local beliefs
Royal family descended from sun god.
Mummification
Like the Aztecs, the Incas held the sun to
be the highest deity.
• As the empire spread, so did the cult of
the sun, however, locals were not
prohibited from worshiping their local
gods as well.
• Popular belief was primarily animistic.
Mountains, stones, rivers, caves were
considered to be ‘huacas’ or holy
shrines.
Inti: Sun God
• Conquistador and world explorer Francisco
Pizarro comes to the new world to find gold
and silver.
- Pizarro ambushes the Inca and his people on
way to a ceremony. 7,000 Incas killed in 2 hrs.
- Inca people give Pizarro 800 lbs of gold,
3,500 lbs of silver and 14 emeralds.
- After Pizarro receives ransom, he kills Inca
anyways.
• Disease comes to the Inca people (small-pox)
- Eventual Inca uprising, then a retreat into the
mountains where the mysteriously disappeared.
City of Gold
The decline of an Empire