Borrowed from Mrs. Valenti’s World History Class Saddleback Valley, CA Thanks Mrs. Valenti!

The Maya– Life and Society

Maya Life and Society The Big Idea People played different roles in Maya society, but together they made great achievements in art, science, math, and writing.

Social Structure Main Idea 1:  Roles in Maya society were based on a complex class structure.

The people of the upper classes were very different from the lower classes.  The upper class was made up of kings, priests, nobles, and merchants and artisans.  Most Maya belonged to the lower classes, which included peasants and slaves. Social Structure

The lower class supported the upper class with food and labor, while the upper class led religious ceremonies for them in return.

the ruler priests & nobles merchants & artisans peasants slaves Mayan Upper Class - shown in blue Mayan Lower Class - shown in red

The Ruler The Maya believed their rulers were related to the gods. He was often involved in religious ceremonies He led the battles. He was the richest member of society. He had beautiful clothing and jewelry.

Priests Priests were the most educated people. They used their knowledge of astronomy & math to plan religious ceremonies, which they led. They were usually born into their role in Mayan society.

Nobles Some nobles were professional warriors who fought battles against other cities and led their armies. Nobles gathered taxes, supplies, and labor for important projects.

Merchants Merchants organized the transportation and distribution of trade. They traveled by sea, river, and roads to trade with other city- states. They traded such goods as obsidian, jade, copal, and quetzal feathers.

Peasants Most Maya belonged to the lower classes. The lower classes lived outside the city. The women worked in the house preparing food, weaving, & sewing.

Peasants The men hunted and farmed in the fields. They had to “pay” their rulers with goods such as cloth and salt. Peasants also built temples and pyramids, or served as soldiers.

Slaves Criminals, orphans, and people who owed money could also become slaves. Slaves were often sacrificed when their master died. In the movie Apocalypto, captured neighbors had their body painted blue and were then sacrificed.

Slaves Slaves were the lowest class. If captured in battle, a lower-class man usually became a slave.

The Inca – Life and Society

Religion in the Inca Empire The Inca Empire had an official religion. The Inca Empire had an official religion. The god of the sun was the most important god to the Incas. They believed their kings were related to the sun god. The god of the sun was the most important god to the Incas. They believed their kings were related to the sun god.

Religion in the Inca Empire The Inca religion was polytheistic, which means they worshiped many gods other than just the sun – like the earth goddess, The Inca religion was polytheistic, which means they worshiped many gods other than just the sun – like the earth goddess, corn god, etc. corn god, etc. The Inca called the sun god Inti. The Inca called the sun god Inti. Inti

Religion in the Inca Empire Inca rulers were mummified after death and it was believed that they could talk to the priests. Inca rulers were mummified after death and it was believed that they could talk to the priests. Mummies were brought out during important ceremonies held Mummies were brought out during important ceremonies held during the harvest and planting during the harvest and planting seasons seasons

Religion in the Inca Empire The Incas rarely sacrificed humans. Instead, they sacrificed llamas, cloth, or food. The Incas rarely sacrificed humans. Instead, they sacrificed llamas, cloth, or food.

Society and Daily Life Main Idea 1: Main Idea 1: –For the Incas, position in society affected daily life. –Inca society had two main social classes—an upper and a lower class.

Society and Daily Life Upper Class Upper Class –Kings, priests, & govt. officials made up the Inca upper class. –Men worked for the govt., & women had household duties. –Sons went to school. –Upper-class families had many privileges, such as private schools, stone houses, and the best clothes.

Society and Daily Life Lower Class Lower Class –The lower class was made up of farmers, artisans, and servants. There were no slaves in Inca society. –They worked on government farms, served in the army, worked in mines, or built roads. –Most children did not go to school, but instead learned to farm.

Society and Daily Life The Inca were expert farmers. They developed various techniques for producing crops, including terrace farming The Inca were expert farmers. They developed various techniques for producing crops, including terrace farming –Terrace farming: the building of the building of raised banks of raised banks of earth on steep land earth on steep land for farming for farming Terrace farming in Peru