Mayan Kings and Cities (300-1200 AD) Mayan Kings and Cities (300-1200 AD)

In the early centuries A. D In the early centuries A.D., the Maya built an extraordinary civilization in the heart of Mesoamerica

Environment Dry, scrub forest of the Yucatan Dense jungles of SE Mexico N Guatemala

Urban Centers City States each ruled by a god-king 50 major cities (Tikal, Copan, Chichen Itza)

Urban Centers cont. Giant pyramids, temples, palaces, stone carvings, ball court, areas (influenced by the Olmecs)

Urban Center at Tikal

Ball court Two different courts: 1. Two slanted sides that slope upward from the center of the court 2. I-shaped playing area with two upright walls perpendicular to the playing floor. At the top of these walls are stone rings that are about 20 feet high, four feet in diameter, and have a one-foot, seven-inch hole in the middle. These rings are also perpendicular to the ground.

Ball Game The balls weighed about 9 pounds and were made of tough rubber. There were two teams and no one was allowed to touch the ball with their hands or feet. (used head, elbows, knees and hips) When playing on the courts with slanted sides, it is believed that the object was to keep the ball in motion. The object of the game when played on the court with upright walls is supposedly to get the ball through the hoop. During wars, some battles are believed to have been won by playing the ball game. The losing team could be killed or the captain.

Economy Traded salt, flint, feathers, shells, honey City states linked by trade and alliances Used cacao beans (chocolate)

Economy cont Farmers-maize, beans, squash Farmers used slash and burn, terraces and raised planting beds above swamp

Social Structure Mayan King-heredity (holy figure) Noble class (priests and warriors) Middle class (merchants and artisans) Lower class- Peasants (majority of people)

Importance of Religion Maya believe in many gods, who could be good, evil, or both Each day is a god whose behavior could be predicted with calendars

Religion Polytheistic (Gods could be evil, good, or both.) Offered gods food, flowers, incense, blood to nourish gods Human sacrifice-usually captured enemies but not as many and as often as Aztecs

Religion continued Blood letting Pierce their bodies with sharp needles and offer blood to gods

Gods Chaac-god of thunder and rain (below) and Kukulcan-winged god or feathered serpent (right)

Achievements Calendars (2): one was religious (260 days), one solar (365 days) Used calendars to find best days for life activities World created in 3114 B.C End of world scheduled Dec. 23, 2012

Achievements cont. Math (based on 20); used in concept of zero Used primarily for calendar and astronomical work, not to count people or objects

Achievements cont. Astronomy Based their calendar on careful observations of the planets, sun, moon

Achievements cont. Writing system (800 glyphs-85% deciphered) Codex (bark book) Popol Vuh (creation story)

Codex

What explanations do historians offer for the disappearance of Mayan city-states? By late 800s, Maya abandon cities; cause for abandonment unknown War with city-states? Disruption of trade? Overfarming and food shortages? Famine? Disease? By 1500s, Maya live in small, weak city-states

Connections Across Time and Cultures 1. In the Old Kingdom, pharaohs ruled as gods. Egyptian government was a theocracy in which the pharaoh bore full responsibility for Egypt’s government, army, and religion. How does this system of government compare with that established by the Maya?

The Maya created independent city-states, which served as both religious and administrative centers and were ruled by god-kings. Maya dynasties, viewed as holy, ruled over each city- states.

2. Both ancient Egyptians and the Maya built great pyramids and temples. For what reasons were these structures built? What does the building of such massive public monuments reveal about each civilization?

Ancient Egyptians built the pyramids as tombs for their kings, who were viewed as ruling after death, and the temples to honor their many deities. The Maya built giant pyramids and temples to honor their gods, important rulers, and warriors. Both civilizations had the organization, leadership, engineering skills, and economic and human resources to support large public works projects.

3. Egyptian society formed a pyramid made up of royalty at the top, a large peasant class at the base, and an upper and middle class. How was Maya society structured?

Similarly, with the king at the top followed by a noble class, merchant class, and peasant majority.

4. Egyptian innovations included writing, a system of measurement and numbers, and a calendar. How do Maya achievements compare with those of ancient Egypt? What do these cultural and technological developments reveal about the Egyptians and the Maya?

The Maya developed a writing system using hieroglyphic symbols, a calendar, astronomy, and a numerical system. These innovations reflected the need in both societies for accurate measurements and recordkeeping in government, religion, and economics.

5. In what other ways were ancient Egyptian and Maya civilizations similar?

Both developed sophisticated farming methods and prospered through trade.

6. What factors do you think might account for the similarities between the two civilizations?

Although they flourished at different historical periods and in different environments, the two civilizations had reached similar stages of development. Similar polytheistic beliefs and the practical needs of highly complex societies led to advances in math, technology, and writing.