Mayas Vs. Incas

11 Pages 2847 Words

he batabar, who was appointed by the ruler. They ruled through a town council made up of old, rich men.

In the economy, because of the significance of trade, merchants were important to trade. Interior trade routes connected all of the lowlands and controlled the flow of goods like salt, obsidian, Jade, cacao, animal pelts, bird feathers, and ceramics. The main highland goods were tools and weapons, grinding stones, bird feathers, a tree resin called copal, and cochineal. People bartered goods directly or exchanged them for cacao beans, which was used as a currency.

For the Mayan religion, the Maya worshiped the chief god, Hunab Ku, the creator of the world. He was considered too far above everyone to worship. He was more important in his appearance as Itzamna, a sky deity who was considered lord of the heavens and lord of day and night. He also brought rain, writing, and medicine. Priests worshiped him. The common people worshipped Yum Kaax, the lord of Maize, and the Chacs, who were rain gods. Women worshipped Ix Chel, the diety who was related with childbirth, healing, and weaving.

The Mayan people had no school or education. Parents taught their children by making their children observe them and have them help out.

In the Mayan history, the Maya civilization developed slowly. The early Maya farmers lived in small villages. They cultivated their fields as a community. Later, they adapted modern farming ways. The Maya civilization was centered on what is now known as El Paten in Guatemala. They settled there around 1000 B.C. They came from the west and south in search of fertile land. They lived in small villages and gathered food and grew crops. Between 600 to 400 B.C., the Maya built pyramids.

In the social structure of the Maya, Military lords rose in power. They formed a formal priesthood that was separate from political rulers.

In the Mayan customs and traditions, the Maya prized a long...