Differences And Similarities Between The Mayans And Aztecs

Civilization as defined by Dictionary.com describes it as “an advanced state of human society, in which a high level of culture, science, industry, and government has been reached”, and/or “those people of nations that have reached such a state”. Both Mayans and Aztecs were civilized compared to the primitive hunter-gather cultures. While the Mayans and Aztecs had advantages, it did not have an egalitarian society, but more of a patriarchal society. Also unlike the foraging societies, beneficial aspects included were that civilizations had a growth of prosperity, and the building of cities, but did not have limited food supplies.

The North American cultures were notable in their change of social structure from in contrast to nomadic people.

The Mayans ruled from 300-900 CE, were similar to Greece, and were polytheistic, in addition to being culturally unified. These people lead a patriarchal society, and separated their cities by wealth. As stated in Yucatan Before and After the Conquest:
…in the center of the town were the temples, with beautiful plazas, and around the temples stood the houses of the chiefs and the priests, and next those of the leading men. Closest to these came the houses of those who were wealthiest and most esteemed, and at the borders of the town were the houses of the common people. The wells, where they were few, were near the houses of the chiefs… (Landa, “Yucatan”)
Chiefs and priests lived in the greater buildings, a symbol of their power and status.

Palenque is an example of a structure that was inhabited by Pakal (“Palenque”). The Mayans social structure placed kings (3-5% of the population) at the top, hereditary nobility next, then commoners, and lastly slaves, who were war captives to be sacrificed. Additionally, the Aztecs (or Mexica), who ruled from 1400-1521 CE, also had human sacrifices similar to the Mayans and Incas, and their society was ruled by severe despots, such as dictators or overseers. In their social pyramid, warriors were the elites because of their importance in being able to dominate neighboring states. Instead of control dominated areas, the Aztecs bureaucracy allowed for the areas to govern themselves, only for the price of tribute. Aztecs took ideas from surrounding areas and applied those to their own lives, similar to the Romans, being conquerors, but also borrowers. Women’s roles in Aztec society were low-ranking, but despite this they could still inherit property. Along with this, common work for women included household chores and

weaving.
The differing luxury that the Mayans and Aztecs shared separated them from the hunter-gatherer cultures.

One example of this is the advancement of art and literature, as shown in the “Dresden” Codice, Bonampak murals, and the art pieces Sana and the face carving from Palenque, all from the Mayan empire. As for the Aztecs, art was a very important part of the culture. According to Aztec-History.com, “There was a rich variety of art in the empire. Richly coloured clothing, architecture, ceremonial knives, head dresses… Stories were commonly written in pictures… Statues made of stone… [and] Art could be made with gold, silver, copper, jewels, [etc]” (“Ancient”). Compared to the Eastern Woodland’s art, the Woodland’s culture had far less adornments, and their art was more ceremonial-based. Art among these people consisted of “…decorated clothing and art with elaborate beadwork and quills. They also made ‘Dreamcatchers’…” (“The Eastern Woodland”). Due to the developed civilization within the Mayan and Aztec empires, these people had more time now then being preoccupied with farming, hunting or gathering. More people became concentrated in the arts, and for some people it became their primary occupation. The downside to developing these skills is that it would increase class and gender differences, creating oppression for some

people.