What is the difference between the Aztecs, Mayans and Incas?
- vieblakey
- Jan 15
- 3 min read
The Aztecs, Incas, and Mayans: Understanding Their Unique Civilizations
THE MAYANS
The Mayans were one of the earliest and most enduring civilizations in Mesoamerica, flourishing from 2000 BCE to around 1500 CE. Their civilization spanned southeastern Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, Honduras, and El Salvador. The Mayans are renowned for their sophisticated calendar systems, hieroglyphic writing, and monumental stepped pyramids, such as those in Chichén Itzá and Tikal.
These structures were deeply tied to their astronomical and religious practices. The Mayans worshipped a pantheon of gods linked to nature and celestial bodies, performing elaborate rituals to ensure agricultural fertility. Skilled traders, they established extensive networks that connected their cities and contributed to their cultural richness.
The Mayans deities:
Ixchel: Goddess of the moon, fertility, and medicine.
Mayan Jaguar: Symbol of power, the underworld, and the sun's journey.
Cizin: God of death and earthquakes.
Tzi Mayan Dog: Associated with guidance in the afterlife.
Camazotz: Bat god representing the underworld and sacrifice.
Yum Kaax: God of nature, agriculture, and wild animals.
Lamat: Symbol tied to Venus and cycles of fertility and new beginnings.
THE AZTECS
The Aztecs rose to prominence in central Mexico during the 14th to 16th centuries CE. Their capital, Tenochtitlán, was a marvel of urban planning and is now the site of modern-day Mexico City. The Aztecs were known for their military strength, innovative agricultural techniques like chinampas (floating gardens), and impressive structures such as the Templo Mayor.
Religion was deeply ingrained in Aztec life, with human sacrifice playing a central role in appeasing gods like Huitzilopochtli, the god of war and sun.
Their empire was supported by a tribute system, which enabled their rapid expansion and wealth accumulation. Despite their fall during the Spanish conquest, the Aztecs left a legacy of cultural and artistic achievements that inspire modern designs.
The Aztecs Deities:
Itzpapalotl: Obsidian butterfly goddess associated with sacrifice and war.
Quetzalcoatl: Feathered serpent god of wisdom, wind, and creation.
Tonantzin: Earth goddess, a nurturing figure connected to fertility.
THE INCAS
The Incas emerged in the Andes Mountains of South America, dominating from the early 15th century until the Spanish conquest in 1533. Their empire, Tawantinsuyu, was the largest in pre-Columbian America, encompassing modern-day Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia, Chile, and parts of Colombia and Argentina. The Incas excelled in engineering, constructing marvels like Machu Picchu and an extensive road system that connected their vast territories.
Their precise stone masonry, seen in sites like Sacsayhuamán, remains unparalleled.
The Incas worshipped Inti, the sun god, and their rituals integrated agriculture and governance. The communal labor system, mita, underpinned their economy. Today, the Inca legacy endures through their architectural feats and cultural influence.
The Incas deities
Mama Quilla: Goddess of the moon and protector of women.
Mama Cocha: Goddess of the sea and marine fertility.
Viracocha: Creator god, associated with the sky, sun, and storm.
An easy way to differentiate the Aztecs, Mayans, and Incas is by focusing on their geography, timeline, and cultural highlights:
1. Geography
Mayans: Southeastern Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, and Honduras (tropical rainforests).
Aztecs: Central Mexico, around modern-day Mexico City (lakes and valleys).
Incas: Andes Mountains in South America (mountains and highlands).
2. Timeline
Mayans: Earliest, from around 2000 BCE to 1500 CE.
Aztecs: Flourished from the 14th to 16th century CE.
Incas: Dominated in the 15th and early 16th centuries CE.
3. Cultural Highlights
Mayans: Known for advanced calendars, hieroglyphic writing, and pyramids (e.g., Chichén Itzá).
Aztecs: Famous for human sacrifices, chinampas (floating gardens), and Tenochtitlán.
Incas: Renowned for engineering feats, like Machu Picchu and a vast road network.
By remembering “Mayans = calendars, Aztecs = sacrifices, Incas = engineering,” you can quickly distinguish their unique characteristics.
References:
https://eastindiabloggingco.com/2023/04/06/tawantinsuyu-inca-empire/ https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/274/
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