Toltec, Aztec, &

Inca

The Toltec Empire

• Toltec are ancient people of Mexico

• Hunter-gatherers at 1st

• Settled in central Mexico-A.D. 900

• Controlled large part of current Mexico

The Toltec Empire

• The Toltec Culture–Records from people of region after Toltec lived there

–Not sure if the Toltec called themselves Toltec

–Capital=city of Tula

–Knowledge comes from the Aztecs, who came after the Toltecs

The Toltec Empire

• The Toltec Culture–Worshipped feather serpent-Quetzalcoatal

–A.D. 1200=Toltec empire conquered•Possibly civil war broke out• Enemies had the opportunity to overthrow the Toltec rulers

–Toltec empire replaced w/ the Aztec

The Aztec Gain Power

• The Aztec or Mexica arrived in central Mexico around A.D. 1200

• Island of Texcoco

• Legend-should settle were they saw an eagle on a cactus holding a snake–This is where they built Tenochtitlan

The Aztec Gain Power

• Building Tenochtitlán–Early 1500s-20,000 people lived in Tenochtitlán• 1 of the world’s largest cities

–Built causeways that went to the shore• Earthen roadways

–The city center had houses for priests, large temples, palaces, & schools

The Aztec Gain Power

• Building Tenochtitlán–Valley of Mexico had bad farmland•Created chinampas or artificial islands

•Built on Lake Texcoco

• Farmers filled reed baskets w/rich lake mud

•Planted crops in baskets & tied in place

The Aztec Gain Power

• The Aztec Empire– Pay tribute/taxes to powerful neighbors

– 1428-Aztec army joined 2 cities & took control of valley

– Early 1500s-Aztec empire expanded• Pacific ocean to present-day Guatemala

–Make items from gold & silver-didn’t work w/iron• Weapons had sharp blades of obsidian• Armor-made of quilted cotton & was soaked in

vinegar to make it hard

The Aztec Gain Power

• Aztec Culture–Worshipped many gods• Corn goddess, rain, sun, & war god

–Worshipped Aztec ruler-related to gods

–Human sacrifice • Gain protection of gods them human lives• Aztec priests sacrifice war prisoners on the top of the Great pyramid

The Aztec Gain Power

• Aztec Culture–Aztec science & technology were advanced•Doctors had medicine•Used plants to cure stomach aches, heal wounds, & reduce fevers•Astronomers created accurate calendar• “Sun calendar” carved in stone w/images of historical events–Used to predict solar eclipses

The Aztec Gain Power

• Mexican Heritage–Mexicans have reminders of Aztec heritage•Mexican flag shows eagle holding snake from the legend

• Aztec artistic style used by Mexican artists

• Some people in central Mexico still speak Aztec language

•Mexico comes from Aztec name of Mexica

The Rise of the Inca

• South America has extreme geography

• 1 of the largest rivers-Amazon

• 1 of largest mt. ranges-The Andes–Western coast of South America & 4,500 mi. long

– Life is difficult-cold, dry, rugged• Earthquakes & volcanic eruptions• Travel is difficult-built rope bridges• Farmers dug canals to irrigate farms • Planted on terraces-flat areas dug out of the hillsides

The Rise of the Inca

–Inca capital=Cuzco, Peru• In the mountains•Cuzco has more than 300,000 people (today)

–Inca civilization home to previous civilization

–Borrowed ideas from other cultures

–Empire created along the west coast

The Rise of the Inca

• Inca Accomplishments–Pachakuti was the ruler-1438•Soldiers conquer area

• Everyone worked for the central gov’t–Men=built roads & farmed–Women=make cloth

•Central storehouse-clothed & fed

The Rise of the Inca

• Inca Accomplishments– Inca empire=12 million people• Cuzco=rich & powerful city

• Center of gov’t, religion, & trade

• Buildings made of stone– Ex. forts, palaces, & temples made w/out cement–Survived earthquakes & many walls still standing

• Built miles of roads– Soldiers & supplies–Messengers deliver news

The Rise of the Inca

• Children of the Sun– Inti=sun god & most important

– Ruler was related to the sun god (worshipped)

– Polytheistic• Earth goddess, god of thunder, rainbow god, & sea goddess

–Worked in gold mines• “Sweat of the Sun”• Gold to decorated the sun god’s temples–Cuzco temple=large gold sculpture w/precious

metals

Inca Life• The Inca had 3 rules– Ama suwa-do not steal– Ama quella-do not be lazy– Ama llulla-do not lie

• Strictly organized– Inca emperor=top of social pyramid– Nobles & priests under emperor– Conquered rulers & chiefs-had some pwr. &

regional judges– Peasants

Inca Life– Inca emperor, nobles, & priests• Lived on or near great plaza at the center of Cuzco– Temples & gov’t buildings located here

–Peasants &/or Farmers• Simple homes made of mud bricks, reeds, & stone

• Grew corn, potatoes, & peppers

• Grew crops using hydroponics–Growing crops in water- more nutrients– Fed nearly 12 million people

Inca Life• Records of Thread – Incas didn’t have an alphabet or usual written language

– Quipus-Set of colored & knotted strings that’s 2 ft. long• Colors indicated news

–White threads=silver & yellow threads=gold (material)–Red threads=war

• Tying knots in particular way-how to read

• Record events, pop., & taxes

– Created beautiful works of arts- sculptures of gold & silver• Gold= “sweat of the sun & Silver=“tears of the moon”

Inca Life• A Living Language–Inca language survived the Spanish conquest•Quechua

–Millions of people in Andes speak Quechua

–Quechua speakers live in Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, & Peru