do now: do now: ap m.c. question the civilizations of the sumerians, the phoenicians, and the maya...
TRANSCRIPT
DO NOW: AP M.C. Question
The civilizations of the Sumerians, the Phoenicians, and the Maya were similar in that each
a) Developed extensive writing systemsb) Emphasized equality in educationc) Established monotheistic religionsd) Encouraged democratic governmentse) Performed human sacrifice
One major difference between the Inca and the Aztec civilizations was
a) While the Inca were agrarian, the Aztecs were nomadic
b) The Aztecs built religious monuments while the Inca did not
c) Incans were monotheistic while the Aztecs worshipped many gods
d) The Aztecs developed a system of writing while the Inca did not
e) The Inca practiced human sacrifice, while the Aztecs did not
DO NOW: AP M.C. Question
Primary Source Discussion:
Diego Durán, BOOK OF THE GODS AND RITES
In what ways had the customs of the marketplace survived, despite the imposition of Christianity? What had changed and what had remained the same?
Teotihuacan• Power not
concentrated into the hands of a single ruler– Scholars suggest
Teotihuacan was ruled by an alliance of elite families
• Collapsed around 650 CE– Perhaps due to
resource mismanagement
Temple Complex, Teotihuacan
The Maya• Never unified politically
• The most powerful cities controlled weaker cities by establishing a religious connection between rulers and the gods
• Between 800 and 900 CE many major urban centers were abandoned or destroyed– Growing scholarly consensus
points toward social unrest caused by environmental degradation
Mayan Ruler Stele
The Toltecs• Their political power
was derived largely from their military power and conquest
• Two kings jointly ruled the Toltec
• Sometime after 1000 CE the Toltec state declined and collapsed– Likely a result of their
power sharing leadership
Toltec Warrior
The Aztecs
• Aztec rulers did not have absolute power – Powerful aristocrats had a
hand in selecting next ruler
• Rulers would take part in conquest in order to legitimize their rule and to obtain slaves for both sacrifice and labor
• Religion, ritual and sacrifice served to legitimize political authority
Huitzilopochtli
The Aztecs
• The arrival of Europeans in the early 16th century would directly and permanently disrupt the continuity of the Aztec empire
Aztec Human Sacrifice
Continuity and change over time
• With a partner, use the Change Analysis Chart to identify key continuities and changes in culture and politics amongst all Mesoamerican Civilizations
• Utilize pages 269 – 277 as well as your CH 11 notecards and questions