Andes, two distinct Empires, the Aztecs and Incas, emerged from previous cultures. Their developments in politics, religion, and in society had some similarities, but differed as well based on their different geographical locations. To politically gain control of areas in the Central and South America, the Aztec and Inca Empires had a period of fighting between local chiefdoms and small states. The developments of sacrificial religions helped develop tribute and labor empires. Socially, kinship-based
for the Spanish onto the Aztec it was ridding the world of heretics worshiping Gods of blood. The Aztec and Inca Empires fell with relative ease to the Spaniards due to a variety of contributing factors. Hesitate action from leadership may have played a role at least for the Aztecs as according to Hernan Cortez; Moctezuma believed that he possibly was a God. Superior weaponry such as steel based weapons/armor played a significant role, as both the Inca and Aztec empires still relied on weapons made
The Aztec and Inca Empires had similarities and differences that contributed to their individual successes. Each Empire had different origins yet the both grew and became powerful Empires. The Aztecs, also known as the Mexica, originated in the valley in Mexico and began as nomadic people, moving from place to place until their powerful neighbors drove them away. Around 1325 A.D. they came upon a valley in Mexico and settled around the surrounding lakes. The Aztecs built the capital, Tenochtitlan
story upon documentation that can be evaluated. Hernándo Cortes and the Conquest of the Aztec Empire was to be evaluated as the ruthless, war monger who sought power and control and treasure in the name of the King of Spain. Cortés would invade a new piece of land inhabited by cultures of Indians to seize fame and fortune. His military efforts along with the help of other native tribal allies destroyed an Empire of the largest capacity. Reasoning and purpose for the invasion can only be told as a
capital of the Aztec empire. It was one of the largest cities in the world in 1521. It evolved from a small settlement on an island in the western marshes of Lake Texcoco, into the mighty political, economic and religious center of the largest empire in Pre Columbian Mexico in less than 200 years. Tenochtitlan was a city of great wealth at the time. Most construction of Tenochtitlan took place during the reigns of four Aztec kings beginning in the 1470s. The ruins of the once great Aztec city are still
Father Diego Durán was a Dominican priest in Mexico after the Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire. He was born in Selville, Spain in 1537 but moved to New Spain as a child. He originally lived in Texcoco but eventually moved to Mexico City and became a priest in 1556. He became fluent in the native language Nahuatl and gained the inhabitants’ trust with his understanding nature and respect for their culture. He used his experiences and access to first hand knowledge to write three books, The Ancient
Cortes is an intriguing biography of Hernan Cortes’s life from his drawn out childhood to his conquering of the Aztec Empire. Cortes began as a sickly baby and ended as one of the most well-known Spanish conquistadors. Hernan studied law at Salamanca, but he left after two years without a degree and returned home. Then, he set out for the New World in 1504 and maintained himself there for thirteen to fourteen years. Cortes embarked on a voyage that ended in Santo Domingo, where he was granted land
ancient capitals such as Rome, Athens, or Cairo. However, across the Atlantic Ocean in Central and South America, there were a number of growing urban centers being built by the Aztec, Mayan, and Incan civilizations. An example of a Central American urban center is Tenochtitlan. Tenochtitlan was the capital of the ancient Aztec capital which is located in present-day Mexico-City, Mexico. The development of this ancient city was dependent on three important factors: favorable ecology, advancing technology
Maya and Aztec Comparison Essay In ancient Mesoamerica, there were two great empires; the Aztec and Mayan Empires. The Mayan Empire developed in southeastern Mexico, surrounding the Yucatan Peninsula and Sierra Madre mountains. Similar to the Mayan Empire, the Aztec Empire also developed in Mexico. They spoke their the Nahuatl language, while the Mayans spoke Hieroglyphics (no exact name). Two civilizations both used terrace farming and human labor for agriculture. Wars between towns, cities,
is a book written by Miguel Leon-Portilla that gives accounts of the fall of the Aztec Empire to the Spanish in the early 16th century. The book is much different from others written about the defeat of the empire because it was written from the vantage point of the Aztecs rather then the Spanish. Portilla describes in-depth many different reasons why the Spanish were successful in the defeat of such a strong Empire. Portilla starts out by giving a thorough background of the culture and religious