What is the Difference Between Aztecs Mayans and Incas

Aztecs Mayans and Incas are three civilizations in Mesoamerica and South America. Although they share several similarities due to their geographical proximity, they also have unique features that set them apart.

What is the difference between Aztecs Mayans and Incas? Aztecs lived in Central Mexico, Mayans lived in Mesoamerica, while Incas lived in the Andean region of South America.

Key Areas Covered

1. Who are Aztecs  
      – Definition, Features
2. Who are Mayans 
      – Definition, Features 
3. Who are Incas
      – Definition, Features 
4. Similarities Between Aztecs Mayans and Incas
      – Outline of Common Features
5. Difference Between Aztecs Mayans and Incas
      – Comparison of Key Differences
6. FAQ: Aztecs Mayans and Incas
      – Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

Key Terms

Aztecs, Mayans, Incas, Civilizations

Who are Aztecs

Aztecs are a Native American people that ruled large regions of Mexico during the 15th and 16th centuries. They were not one unified nation, but rather were made of seven different tribes. These tribes never considered themselves as one people, which caused many internal struggles. However, they only had one language, Nahuatl, which had an alphabet with symbols and hieroglyphics. Moreover, there were various dialects of Nahuatl.

Aztecs were skilled architects. Their large pyramid temple in the middle of their capital, Tenochtitlan, is a good example of their skills. The Aztecs worshipped various fertility gods. However, their main deity was the god of war, Huitzilopochtli. They also practiced human sacrifices, which took place at the top of Aztec pyramid temples. Generally, more than one person was sacrificed at a time.

The Aztec culture and practices are extinct now, but their language is still spoken by some Mexican Indians and their history lives through their descendants.

Who are Mayans

The Mayans were another Native American people. They lived in Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, Honduras, and El Salvador from around 800 BC to 1530 AD. They were not a united empire ruled from one central city.  The Mayans spoke about 30 different languages. In fact, these are still in use today. They also had a complete written language, which they used to write books.

Mayans mainly worshipped nature gods, as farming was important to them. They sacrificed humans, believing that the gods would give them a good harvest and fertility in return. The Mayans were also good mathematicians and engineers. They created great temple pyramids, beautiful art, and cities like Palenque. They also used metal tools. Furthermore, they had four calendars, each having its own purpose. These helped them to know exactly when religious ceremonies should be performed or when was the best time to grow crops.

Who are Incas

The Incas were Native American people and civilization that started in the 13th century and lasted until the Spanish conquest in 1572. They ruled over much of western South America, stretching from Chile in the south to Colombia in the north. At its peak, the Inca Empire had about 10 million people. However, only the Inca emperor and his large family of 40,000 people were considered the original Incas. Most of the Inca Empire was made up of people the original Incas had forced to join them. This led to many languages being spoken (about 700). But their main language was Quechua. Even with so many languages, the Incas didn’t have a written language, unlike the Maya and Aztecs.

Inca was the largest empire in pre-Columbian America. The capital of the Inca Empire was Cusco. The Incas were talented engineers and architects. Their impressive creations, like Machu Picchu in Peru and the terraces carved into steep mountainsides, are proof of their skills and innovation.

Like the Mayans, the Incas were farmers who worshipped nature gods. They also practiced human sacrifice and offered the gods the healthiest and most beautiful children as their most valuable gift.

Similarities Between Aztecs Mayans and Incas

1. All three civilizations practiced polytheism, worshipping multiple gods.
2. They used human sacrifices as a part of their religion.
3. They all relied heavily on agriculture for their economies.
4. These three civilizations had structured societies with a ruling class (king or emperor) and priestly/warrior classes.

Difference Between Aztecs Mayans and Incas

Location

• The Aztecs lived in Central Mexico, mainly in the Valley of Mexico. The Mayans lived in southern Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, and parts of Honduras and El Salvador. The Incas, on the other hand, were based in western South America, with their empire stretching from Chile in the south to Colombia in the north and centered in modern-day Peru.

Time Period

• The Aztecs thrived from the 14th to the 16th century, while the Mayans began much earlier, flourishing from around 2000 BCE to 1500 CE. The Inca Empire thrived from the 13th to the 16th century.

Language and Writing

• The Aztecs spoke Nahuatl and used a pictorial writing system. The Mayans spoke various Mayan languages and had a complex hieroglyphic writing system. The Incas spoke Quechua but did not have a written language.

Agriculture

• The Aztecs created floating gardens, called chinampas, to farm on lakes. The Mayans used slash-and-burn techniques and built terraces for farming in the jungle. The Incas built terraced farms on steep mountainsides and used irrigation to grow crops.

Architecture

• The Aztecs built large temples like the Templo Mayor and organized cities. The Mayans constructed pyramids, observatories, and ceremonial sites such as Chichen Itza and Tikal. The Incas excelled in engineering, creating stone structures like Machu Picchu and an extensive road network.

FAQ: Aztecs Mayans and Incas

1. Who came first, Aztecs or Mayans or Incas?

The Mayans came first, starting around 2000 BCE. The Aztecs and the Incas followed in the 13th and 14th centuries CE.

2. How did Aztec differ from Inca?

The Aztecs lived in Central Mexico. They had a powerful empire with human sacrifices. The Incas, based in the Andes, is mostly known for advanced engineering and farming on mountainous terrain.

3. What made the Maya different politically from the Aztec and Inca civilizations?

The Maya were made up of independent city-states, each with its own ruler, while the Aztecs and Incas had a centralized empire. The city-states of the Maya often had their own distinct customs and leaders.

4. Who was more advanced, Inca or Aztec?

The Incas were more advanced in terms of engineering and agriculture. They created impressive stone structures and terraces for farming in mountainous regions. Meanwhile, the Aztecs were known for their strong military and complex social system.

5. What language did the Aztecs speak?

The Aztecs spoke Nahuatl, which was the primary language of the Aztec Empire. It also had an alphabet with symbols and hieroglyphics. It served as the official language for trade, administration, and communication across different regions.

Reference:

1. “The Inca People.” The World Civilization. Lumen Learning.

2. “Who Were the Maya?” National Geographic.

3. “Aztecs.” Wikipedia. Wikipedia Foundation.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Aztec Empire” By Aldan-2 – (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia

2. “Mayan Indians in Traditional Outfits” (CC0) via Pexels

3. “The Inca Civilization Ruins in Ander Mountains Peru” (CC0) via Pexels