1. Mayans, Aztecs, Incas

2. Bellringer 10/1 Read “Linking Past and Present” on page 595 and then answer the following: 1.On average, how much chocolate do you eat per week? 2.Why do you think only the rich in Europe enjoyed chocolate in the 1500s?

3. I. Mayans 1.Settled in Peten Guatemala about 500 a.d. in a dense rain forrest 2.Rulers said they were descendant of the sun – god kings 3.Religion was the core of Mayan Life 4.Had a city-state government – each city state had it’s own leader 5.Sacrificed captives to their gods 6.Mayan civilization came to a mysterious end

4. II. Aztecs 1.Arrived in Valley of Mexico about 1250 A.D. 2.Worshipped the sun god Quetzalcoatl 3.Built the city of Tenochtitlan which means “place of the prickly pear cactus” 4.Collected tribute from conquered people 5.Saw death as honorable 6.Sacrificed captives to their gods

5. III. Aztec Society 1.King or Emperor 2.Nobles 3.Commoners (largest group) – could join noble class by performing one act of bravery in war 4.Unskilled laborers 5.Enslaved People

6. IV. Incas 1.Pachacuti developed the largest Ancient American Empire in A.D.1436 in modern day Peru 2.Designed road system to connect the empire 3.Believed in the sun god Inti 4.Built Machu Piccu as a retreat for Incan kings 5.Developed quipu - MATH

7. V. Incan Social Classes 1.Coyas – rulers and wives 2.Head Priest and army commanders 3.Regional army leaders 4.Temple priest, army commanders, skilled workers 5.Farmers, herders and ordinary soldiers