What is the difference between aztec and mayan civilization

Although they were not as advanced as the Inca, they did have a day calendar and used hieroglyphics. Though the cultures are alike in many ways, such as their building of pyramids, use of hieroglyphics bar the Inca , they are four distinct cultures that rose and fell at different times for different reasons. To quickly sum up, the Maya were first but learned a lot from the Olmecs, who started 1, years later.

The Aztecs followed about years after the Mayan civilization began to shrink. The Inca were from a completely different area and lasted less than years before being wiped out, while still managing to become the most advanced in their short life.

Article Continued Below. You may also like. Popular Posts. Contact No. Maya comprised up of city-states and was not united politically. There was an independent ruler for each city-state. Aztec was ruled by an Emperor whose main purpose was to lead in the wars. The local rulers and conquered people had to pay tax to the Aztec. Inca was ruled by Sapa Inca, the emperor who had absolute power. Aztecs were polytheistic. They build huge temples and pyramids in dedication to their god Huitzilopochtli.

Inca was polytheistic. They worshiped their primary God, Inti, who they called the sun god. The Maya built huge arrays of structures and have left a considerable architectural heritage.

Monumental sculptures were mainly favorite. I would only study in the morning and skip the afternoon conversation classes as I did not want to be exposed to their accents more than absolutely necessary. Mainly German and Swiss students, and I studied German for nine years a long time ago. Actually enjoyed the Italian and French young people much more. Not their fault but my own problem, and that is likely the reason why I decided to immigrate to the US in the first place while I prefer to live in Mexico and would go back any day.

My love for Mexico is deep and forever and I hope this will reach some of you who can appreciate my sentiments. The Mexicans born here are an entirely different breed and do not know the culture though they think they do.

Resentment about someone who was born elsewhere and totally assimilated with los puros Mexicanos who insists on speaking THEIR language once back in the US. They go see abuelita for a few days every other Christmas and think they know the culture well.

Abuelita does not feel the same way, I can assure you all. I actually even sound pretty much like a Yucateca, if you ask me. It should not bother me for you are often so arrogant, ignorant and has lost the beautiful culture of your ancestry. Unless your parents are strong and conscientious, you have not a clue. Do not even know a firm handshake that is a daily routine in Mexico.

I grew up with that and we also bowed slightly, but you would not know what I am talking about. Mexicans told me on a recent visit that many Mexicans from here prefer to speak English. Could well be they are too embarrassed as they do not know the courtesy phrases that are always used when addressing anyone in business or on the street. So los hoteles would not be all that impressed with your Spanish. But only los inmigrantes, I am afraid.

I am an immigrant also so that makes sense. I solely made this account to say thank you to you. The world needs more people with open eyes as well as hearts like yours. Now I know for sure that not a darn thing has changed since or before then. The Aztecs were further north in Mexico. This article is totally biased and has little relation to reality. VERY poorly researched.

Almost everything the author said about the Aztecs was simply not true. Aztecs butchered people in the hundreds of thousands. The blood flowed from their alters like rivers. The Spaniards walked into a depraved land of blood, war and even cannibalism. The bottom line is the Mayans were already dissolved as a cohesive civilization by the time the Europeans arrived, but the Aztecs were fighting unending tribal wars that was decimating the population.

The leaders and foot soldiers of losing battles were all slain en masse at the alters. They were extremely outnumbered by the Aztecs and they were not militarily superior. This is well documented, in direct combat an Aztec group and a European group were about even in armor and weaponry effectiveness.

What actually turned the tide was a few leaders of Aztecs tribes who recognized that they were on the brink of extinction joined forces with the Europeans to stop the culture of bloodshed and genocide.

Learn real history and not modern propaganda. What books are you reading to write what you write? So far, each country has its own source but it is misguided. I appreciate your thourough response to answer these outrages comments that obviously lack knowledge but I want to add one more fact as far as the Europeans are concerned. Your reply fails to introduce the fact that they introduced my ancestors to epidemic diseases that they had never dealt with before which in turn killed off a lot of them.

You are mistaken about why the Aztecs were defeated by the Spanish. Yes, the Aztecs did outnumber the Spanish but it was the tactics and strategy of the Spanish that gave them the great advantage and victory. This is incredibly well documented and there is absolutley no doubt about it at all. Your claim is bizarre. The Aztecs simply could not defend themselves against Spanish tactics and strategy.

For example, the Spanish, somewhat like modern armies, were very disciplined and fought according to plans. The Aztecs, on the other hand, did not have organized plans as such. We saw a similar situation when Native Americans were defeated by the U. The indians did not fight according to detailed plans. Again, it was basically a disorganized each-man-for-himself situation. I would like to add to this post that the main reason for this is that native peoples in both north and south america have trouble believing even to this day that human beings could be so uncivilized and lie and kill like the whites do.

Is their even one of these posters who can even speak one of the over 30 currently in use dialects of highland mayan language. I heard a Hopi elder say once. Aztecs not around? My wife is from mexico and likes to claim to be of Aztec race and now a u. But they did say that I eat like a real Mexican the way I handheld the tortillas. We are all born again Christians by faith through the shedding blood of Jesus Christ made at calvery. It is said that Columbus was seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit when on his quest.

It was not all a buetiful picture as we see in history. Thank god for the peace loving christians who never shed blood in the name of their God. Imagine a world with those savages around. It was a matter time. Come on. Northern Native Tribes included Tarahumara or other indegenious people. But to claim that all Mexicans are Aztec is erroneous.

I absolutely hate how Mexicans love to claim that their ancestors are Mayan or that they are decendents of Maya people. Mayans are a tight knit culture unique and separate from contemporary Mexican Culture and as a side note…Mexicans treat the Maya VERY poorly — there are Genocides and territory wars to this day.

Yeah, listen to the English speaking Mayan. Well said brother. Is it so hard to believe that a Native Mayan can travel to another country, adapt to a new culture and live there…like for example, in the United States? I also speak 3 languages. I speak English.. Hmmmmm I wonder why?

Oh, I know! Ahh the irony. Coba, ties can fade away. So maybe there were Mayans that left their land and their subsequent generations incorporated into new lifestyles and culture, that is Mexican Culture. I thought the Aztecs ruled Central Mexico which is not located in Central America , they had little power or presences in Central America which was dominated by Mayans.

Mexico and Central America is part of the North American continent. I come from the Aztecs and am proud of my heritage. I also have roots to Spain as well. I believe what is important is what each of us takes from what we learn about our ancestry. There are always going to be errors in articles, research etc.

We are going to disagree with others and what they say or write. We can only partially learn about any civialization, nationality, customs from what was recorded, found and still practiced today.

Trace your lineage and see what you find. Without these people we would not be here today. All people in America are Asian… even slaves? You are clearly delusional, a true American need to show biological proof of your claim. Mayans were quite interested in the study of astronomy and developed a very scientific calendar comparable to the modern calendar. Southern Mayan civilization started to decline during the 8th and 9th centuries, and the Northern Mayan cities declined after the Spanish conquest.

The Aztec civilization covered Central Mexico and inhabited it there from the 14th to 16th century. They speak the Nahuatl language and belong to the Pre-Columbian era. The civilization began as a result of the alliance between Tenochtitlan, Texcoco, and Tlacopan. This alliance happened to defeat Azcapotzalco.