Similarities Between Olmec And Aztecs
Introduction
The people of Mesoamerica were and still are a mixed package of mystery and history, with their past literally written in stone. In this essay I will discuss my two chosen Mesoamerican societies, the Olmecs and the Aztecs and the common features that they share, such as ball courts, temple pyramids, calendrical and writing systems and the significance of similarities and differences between them, to better my understanding of the social structure of these two amazing societies.
Who are they?
The name Olmec means “the rubber people” in Nahuatl (Palka, 2000), which was the language spoken by the Aztecs. The Olmecs are considered one of the oldest civilisations of the Mesoamerican societies that lived in what is now known as Mexico
…show more content…
The pro mother culture archaeologists, like Richard Diehl, believed that the Olmecs were advanced for their time, leading other societies in art, architecture and social structures. Archaeologists against the mother culture, like David Grove, believed that the Olmecs were one society amongst many in the Mesoamerican area and that they all evolved around the same time (Scarre, 2013).
In Nahuatl Aztec means “people from Aztlan”. The Aztec people lived between 1345 CE to 1521 CE on the island city of Tenochtitlan in Lake Texcoco, in the Basin of Mexico. It is said that they migrated from Aztlan to central Mexico and referred to themselves as “Mexica”. The Aztecs are quite well known to archaeologists as they left numerous written records of their existence. They were an extremely sophisticated culture. Renowned for their warfare tactics, they were skilled warriors. Gaining a lot of their power through strong political marriage alliances, they ruled with a strong military presence. The Aztecs fought against the invasion of Mexico when the Spanish landed in 1519 but it wasn’t until 1521 that their rule ended in defeat by their enemies and the Spanish combined forces (Palka,
Should Historians Emphasize Human Sacrifice Essay
412 Words | 2 PagesThe Aztecs were an ancient civilization found in the area of Mesoamerica, their time period was from 1350 to 1519. Now in the modern-days of Mexico City. There capital city was Tenochtitlan. Two aspects of their culture that they are known for are agriculture and human sacrifice. However, historians should emphasize human sacrifice.
How Did The Olmec Influence The Latin American Civilization
598 Words | 3 PagesThe Olmec people were a civilization living on a coastal plain along the south coast of the Gulf of Mexico that existed from roughly 1600 BCE, when they first appeared, to when the civilization mysteriously ended, hundreds of years later. The culture of these people would someday be used to help establish many other mesoamerican civilizations. Their influence eventually led to the reign of groups such as the Aztecs and the Maya. The word “Olmec” can be translated to mean “rubber people” in their native language of Nahuatl, a language whose existence remains unknown still to many people.
Olmec Multi Faceted Religion
156 Words | 1 PagesThe Olmec had a complex multi-faceted religion. The Olmec believed in a Rain God, Olmec Dragon, Maize Deity, Feathered Serpent, Fish or Shark Monster, and Banded-eye God. Their rituals were very shocking, they had to sacrifice humans and animals as offering to their god. Their practices were, Language Nuhuah. Olmec means ‘rubber people’.
Aztecs Be Remembered For Human Sacrifice Essay
380 Words | 2 PagesIntroduction The Aztecs were a mesoamerican civilization with a remarkable society. The civilization existed from 1350-1529 CE around Mexico City. The region was mountainous and had water connections for farming. The Aztecs were polytheistic and made tribute to their gods. Human sacrifice contributed to Aztec society which is easy to see through in their culture and dominance.
Why Is The Olmecs Called The Second Civilization
151 Words | 1 PagesThe Olmecs started between 1200- 400 B.C. They lived in the forests of the east coast of Mexico. The Native people learned from the Olmec Civilization. Since the Native groups learned from the Olmecs, they are called the “Mother Civilization”. The Olmecs made art and built temples and buildings.
Montezuma's Impact On The Rise Of The Aztec Empire
821 Words | 4 PagesThe Aztec empire began in the post-classical period in 1300 and ended in 1521. In the northern area of Mexico existed nomadic hunters. Driven by curiosity and a desire for new horizons, these nomadic hunters took off on a transformative journey that would forever alter the course of their history. Their travels eventually led them to the island of Tenochtitlan, now known as central Mexico, located in the heart of a vast lake. With its strategic location and fertile surroundings, Tenochtitlan quickly became the center of a burgeoning civilization that would come to be known as the Aztec Empire.
Aztec Vs Inca Comparison Essay
413 Words | 2 PagesIn Mesoamerica, many civilizations appeared up to the 1500’s. Two of these civilizations included the Aztecs and the Incas. Although these two cultures were close geographically, they were not completely similar. The Aztecs and Incas had different religion, politics, and culture.
Aztecs And The Founding Of Tenochtitlans
262 Words | 2 PagesIn the years between 1350 and 1519 the aztec empire ruled the lower half of mexico. The capitol of the empire was Tenochtitlan, currently mexico city, on the lake Texcoco. They were disliked by many because they were tough warriors who pushed people out of there way. The capitol of their empire was tenochtitlan, current day mexico, on the lake texcoco. They were disliked because people saw them as fierce warriors and fanatical followers of the aztec gods.
Olmec Culture Vs La Venta
247 Words | 1 PagesIn both the centres of Olmec civilization, at San Lorenzo and then La Venta, numerous large clay platforms are raised. At their top there are believed to have been temples, or perhaps sometimes palaces, built of wood. The concept of climbing up to a place of religious significance becomes the central theme of pre-Columbian architecture. Its natural conclusion is the pyramid, with steps by which priests and pilgrims climb to the top (unlike the smooth-sided tomb pyramids of Egypt). La Venta initiates this long American tradition too.
Compare And Contrast Inca And Aztecs
1807 Words | 8 PagesThe Mexica people of Tenochtitlan, situated on an island in Lake Texcoco and the inhabitants of Tenochtitlan’s two principal allied city-states, the Acolhaus of Texcoco and the Tepanecs of Tlacopan, formed the Aztec Triple Alliance which has also become known as the “Aztec Empire”. Henan Cortes, along with a large number of Nahuatl speaking indigenous allies, conquered Tenochtitlan and defeated the Aztec Triple Alliance under the leadership of Moctezuma II. In the series of events often referred to as “The Fall of the Aztec Empire”. Subsequently the Spanish founded the new settlement of Mexico City on the site of the ruined Aztec capital.
Should Aztecs Be Remembered For Agriculture More Than Human Sacrifice
362 Words | 2 PagesIntroduction The Aztecs were a civilization of many things but the top 2 were Agriculture and Human sacrifice. The Aztecs were Polytheistic (believed in many gods). They also were the no.1 in corn because they had so much. Lastly they had a lot of human sacrifice in their city/empire mainly to pay respect towards gods. Historians should emphasize agriculture when on the topic of Aztecs
Compare And Contrast Inca Aztecs And Mayans
879 Words | 4 PagesCompare and contrast (Tribes) Introduction Inca, Aztecs and Mayan have similar lives then you would expect but just because there life is similar doesn 't mean there live aint different and in this paper you are gonna be learning how the inca, aztecs and mayan are similar. In this project there will be many points on how the Inca, Aztecs, and Mayans are different and similar like they both did sacrifices just not has often and different or how the aztecs and mayans live in CA and the Inca live in peru or how all of the tribes build pyramids. Similarities between Inca, Maya and aztecs So first lets take about how the Inca, Aztecs, and Mayan are similar.
Aztec Compare And Contrast Essay
733 Words | 3 PagesIt was in a rainforest and the cities were like big temples and pyramids and small houses. Their time periods and capitals were Pre, Golden, post and the capital was chichen itza. The Aztec’s location was located a bit above the Mayan empire. The Aztecs lived in a rain forest to. The city's were near water and were sometimes on water.
Olmec Greek Influence
135 Words | 1 PagesThe Olmec culture is best known as the “Mother Culture,” because during the formative period in Mesoamerica the region flourished. This is also known as the first culture to develop the
More about Similarities Between Olmec And Aztecs
Should Historians Emphasize Human Sacrifice Essay
412 Words | 2 PagesWhy Did Hernando Cortes Able To Conquer The Aztecs
810 Words | 4 PagesHow Did The Olmec Influence The Latin American Civilization
598 Words | 3 PagesOlmec Multi Faceted Religion
156 Words | 1 PagesAztecs Be Remembered For Human Sacrifice Essay
380 Words | 2 PagesWhy Is The Olmecs Called The Second Civilization
151 Words | 1 PagesMontezuma's Impact On The Rise Of The Aztec Empire
821 Words | 4 PagesAztec Vs Inca Comparison Essay
413 Words | 2 PagesAztecs And The Founding Of Tenochtitlans
262 Words | 2 PagesOlmec Culture Vs La Venta
247 Words | 1 PagesCompare And Contrast Inca And Aztecs
1807 Words | 8 PagesShould Aztecs Be Remembered For Agriculture More Than Human Sacrifice
362 Words | 2 PagesCompare And Contrast Inca Aztecs And Mayans
879 Words | 4 PagesAztec Compare And Contrast Essay
733 Words | 3 PagesOlmec Greek Influence
135 Words | 1 Pages