1. The Maya, Aztecs, and Incas Civilizations of the Americas

3. Physical Features: Rainforests, Hills

6. Physical Features: Andes Mountains, Desert, Coastal Plains

8. The Ruler: Called the halachuinic, or “true man” Decided when and where to go to war Wore a headdress as tall as a person at religious ceremonies (considered a god-king)

9. Nobles and Priests: Only priests and nobles knew how to write Nobles led armies in times of war and collected taxes Priests led rituals & performed sacrifices Priests were often mathematicians, astronomers, and healers

10. Merchants and Artisans: Merchants lived by the waterways and roads to trade with other city-states Goods that were traded: obsidian, jade, copal, and quetzal feathers Artists painted murals of Mayan Life and important battles

11. Peasants: Worked mostly in the fields WOMEN: generally worked at preparing food, weaving, and sewing MEN: Built temples & pyramids and served as soldiers Sometime attended royal weddings & religious ceremonies

12. Slaves: People sold into slavery Soldiers captured in war People who committed serious crimes Slaves were often sacrificed when their masters died

13. Special Occasions Birth of a Child: similar to baptism Girls at 3 months and Boys at 4 months: Babies were given the tools they would use in their lives Girls at 12 years and Boys at 14 years: Coming of Age (confessions, cleansing with water, reciting rules of behavior; removal of symbols of innocence) Family Life of the Maya

14. MARRIAGE: Men usually married around the age of 20 Girls married when they were as young as 14 Marriages were set up by a matchmaker Families would agree on how much food and clothing would be given to the bride’s family. They would also agree on the # of years a young man would work for the new wife’s family Villagers then built a hut for the couple behind the house of the bride’s parents When the home was ready, the bride and groom put on special clothing and a priest blessed the marriage

15. Polytheistic: they believed in more than 160 gods Primary gods were natural forces or objects that affected people’s daily lives Many gods had animal characteristics JAGUARS Maya offered the gods plants, food, flowers, feathers, jade, and shells AS WELL AS HUMAN BLOOD AND BODIES Religious Beliefs of the Maya

16. Priests performed special sacrificial ceremonies Only priests could explain signs from the gods and lead the people through rituals to please the gods Methods of Sacrifice: A human could be thrown into a well 60 feet deep and if they survive the fall, they are brought back up and asked what message they had brought back from the gods. Bloodletting Removal of the human heart Animals SACRAFICE

17. Class Structure of the Incas