The Aztecs and Incas Empires: Comparison of Two Ancient Civilizations, Exams of Humanities

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The Aztec and Inca Empires

Overview

Aztec city of Tenochtitlan at the time of the Spanish invasion.

• The Aztecs were a Mexica group of about 10,000 people who expanded their power.
• At its height they controlled an empire of some 22 million people, making it more populous than any kingdom or empire in Europe.
• The Aztecs developed no formal bureaucracy.
• Let some regional leaders remain in power as long as they continued to send tribute! Aztecs

• Lived in central valley of Mexico
• Capital City: Tenochtitlan – in Lake Texcoco by 1345
• Swampy marsh land, islands
• Contained some rivers

Geography

Aztecs Incas

• Lived in Andes Mountains in modern day Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia and Chile.
• Capital City: Cuzco- by Lake Titcaca
• Controlled coastline, highlands, parts of rainforest.

• Aztec Emperors were thought to be gods.
• Absolute power - held both political and religious power.
• They had a strict law code
• Religion was a key element in keeping control of conquered peoples – especially with the sacrifice system.

Political Systems

Aztecs Incas

• Led by “Sapa Inca” - Supreme Ruler, seen as a god
• Authoritarian ruler who controlled marriage, movement, produce
• Created centralized bureaucracy – educated elites, Priests were officials
• Used Military force and resettlement to control people Montezuma II

• Importance of Maize, beans, squash
• Markets in the cities – Regional trade
• Relied on extensive slave labor, tributes
• Wealth based on strength of military and ability to control others

Economy

Aztecs Incas

• No money - Collected taxes in form of goods, food, services
• Very rich in gold and silver
• Stressed self-sufficient communal farming
• Used system of roads for trade and communication.

The Aztec Economy

• Lands of conquered peoples were used to feed the capital city and other important centers.
• Food was sent as a form of tribute by conquered peoples.
• Market days were held every 5 to 13 days to buy, sell and trade goods.
• Cacao beans and gold dust was used for currency.
• The state controlled the markets and redistributed wealth to needy areas. So there was more government involvement than in Europe.
• Chinampas Agriculture was used to supplement the food supply.

The Incan Road System

• A complex system of roads was built

through out the empire with bridges and

causeways.

• 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,

way stations throughout the empire.

Aztec Religion

1. Polytheistic
2. Similar to other regional religions

• Pyramids, art, ceremonies, sacrifice.
• Sacrifice: Up to 20,000 at a time!
• Sun was created as a result of gods being sacrificed.
• Needed human blood as nourishment
• required constant warfare
• There were at least 128 major deities in the Aztec religion with many more minor deities as well.
• Each god had a female consort – recognizing duality in all things.
• The gods had different forms or manifestations – like Hindu avatars.
• Asked the really big and important questions in life just like all great religions.

Incan Rope Bridge Stone Steps

Decline

• No loyalty from subordinate groups. Resisted whenever possible.
• Spanish - Hernando Cortes, El Conquistador. Overpowered Aztecs with superior weapons and horses.
• Convinced Aztecs the Spanish were gods.
• European disease. Small pox, measles. Americans had no natural immunity. Destroyed pop. Aztecs

Comparing Inca and Aztec

• Both were successful with imperial and military organization.
• Both had intensive agriculture organized by the state that created a food surplus.
• Both redistributed resources to all classes.
• Both used nobles to run state machinery.
• Both recognized local ethnic groups – although the Inca did spread their culture and language.
• Both developed systems of roads and advanced engineering techniques
• Both were polytheistic and made human sacrifices to the Gods
• Both were defeated by the Spanish

• Trade and markets were more developed.
• Developed more metal working skills.
• Developed a writing system.
• Had a more efficient bureaucracy
• Sacrificed more humans – reason for conquests
• Controlled more land – reason for conquests Aztec or Inca?

Incan Road and Settlement

Incan Engineering