Classical Vs. Post Classical Societies Classical 600-900
CEPost-Classical 900-1450 CE Population lowerPop. Density
increased/larger cities/overall population Land less intensively
farmedAgriculture intensifies Warfare between groups happens
frequently Warfare intensified, becomes more deadly Small armies;
simple forms of government Strong, centralized governments
Maya/TeotihuacanToltec/Aztec
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Teotihuacan: capital city of the Toltecs The Pyramid of the
Sun
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TEOTIHUACAN The city of Teotihuacan Built in the highlands of
Mexico Colossal pyramids of sun and moon dominated the skyline
Between 400 and 600 C.E., the city had 200,000 inhabitants
Paintings and murals reflect the importance of priests Teotihuacan
society Rulers and priests dominated society Two-thirds of
inhabitants worked in fields Famous for obsidian tools, orange
pottery Professional merchants traded widely No sign of military
organization Cultural traditions Inherited Olmecs' culture Honored
earth god, rain god Decline of Teotihuacan Military pressure from
other peoples since 500 C.E. Began to decline 650 C.E.; Invaders
sacked city, mid-8th century
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Major Accomplishments: Master Engineers Running water
Tenochtitlan: main city of the Aztecs Located in the islands of
Lake Texcoco
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Chinampas: Floating gardens
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Human Sacrifice
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Religion Polytheistic Importance of the sun god and appeasement
The sacrifice of humans was tied to the sun gods demand for ritual
offerings, and war was necessary to provide sacrificial victims.
(PSEUDO-THEOCRACY) The Aztec ruler eventually became identified
with both secular authority and divine power, a representative of
the gods on earth. In Aztec theology, human sacrifice and wars of
conquest were combined with the political authority of the ruler as
aspects of a state cult.
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Social
Slide 15
Politics Aztecs (or Mexica, as they called themselves)
established dominance over rival groups in the Valley of Mexico
interest in genealogy and militarism
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Economics Irrigation works controlled rural labor elaborate
series of canals, dams, and terraces helped to feed the empire
Slide 17
Geography The Aztecs were located in the middle of the Mexico
Valley in the middle of Lake Texcoco. The valley was very marshy
and scattered with islands. The islands were unwanted and solid
ground was needed so the Aztecs began sinking large trees and then
covering them with mud and boulders creating a solid surface.
Streams and mountains surrounded the city. The mountains
surrounding the capital city created great natural barriers. The
empire was spread along the Gulf of Mexico and the Pacific Ocean.
The empires land would reach as far south as the boarder of
Guatemala. At the height of the empire, it was around 5 million
people. The Aztec Empire of 1519 was the most powerful Mesoamerican
kingdom of all time.
