Ancient Civilizations: Maya and Aztec Societies
Economy: Agriculture, Maya
The Maya were primarily farmers, and their main food was corn. (Currently, the word corn is still synonymous with food.) They believed God’s grace was a gift from the gods to men, whose sacred duty was to cultivate it. Religion and Mythology of the Maya considered that the gods created mankind with corn, thereby achieving the most perfect man. Maize was the food and the flesh of man himself, whose blood nourished the gods and the corn itself, and elevated it to the rank of god.
The Aztecs
The Aztec civilization developed in the Valley of Mexico, in the high mountains, surrounded by lakes that provided them with fish, water, and reeds for basketry and textiles. Their empire was built from neighboring towns, and the Aztec warriors played an important role in this. The Aztecs were convinced they were the people chosen by the gods to help the sun in its task of keeping the world going, and so governed their life accordingly.
Social Organization of the Aztecs:
It was composed of a non-hereditary noble class of priests, patricians, and senior officials. The military held great social importance; those of high rank and acknowledged value could enjoy land, pay no taxes, and could even have servants.
The intermediate group consisted of the pochteca, who were entrepreneurs, because they possessed productive assets, including farmland, precious metals, and cocoa, which was used as currency.
At the base was a mass of peasants who tilled the land and took care of crafts. Finally, there were the tlacotin or slaves; they were prisoners of war or Aztecs who had committed a crime (robbery, homicide, or debts). The latter passed temporarily to other people, to serve as an example to them and their family.
Aztec Economy:
Their territories were densely populated and had to turn to farming to meet the needs of residents. Their main crop was maize, but they also cultivated beans, pumpkins, fruits, and cotton for clothing. They also developed pottery, weaving, and jewelry.
The military held great social importance; those of high rank and acknowledged value could enjoy land, pay no taxes, and could even have servants.
The intermediate group consisted of the pochteca, who were entrepreneurs, because they possessed productive assets, including farmland, precious metals, and cocoa, which was used as currency.
At the base was a mass of peasants who tilled the land and took care of crafts. Finally, there were the tlacotin or slaves; they were prisoners of war or Aztecs who had committed a crime (robbery, homicide, or debts). The latter passed temporarily to other people, to serve as an example to them and their family.
Aztec Economy:
Their territories were densely populated and had to turn to farming to meet the needs of residents. Their main crop was maize, but they also cultivated beans, pumpkins, fruits, and cotton for clothing. They also developed pottery, weaving, and jewelry.