Aztecs vs Incas
Aztecs and Incas are two distinct civilizations that thrived in South America. While both were Pre-European in origin, they have unique characteristics that set them apart. Incas are known to be relatively peaceful, while Aztecs are recognized for their tribal and violent ways of ruling.
Key Takeaways
- Incas were a more peaceful civilization compared to the violent nature of Aztecs.
- Both civilizations were eventually destroyed by Spanish conquerors.
- The two civilizations utilized different agricultural techniques and had unique cultural practices.
More about Incas
The Inca civilization began as a tribe in the area where Sapa Inca founded the Kingdom of Cuzco around A.D. 1200. Over time, other Andean communities were incorporated into the Inca civilization. The Inca Empire was established during an expansion in 1442 under Pachacutec’s command, becoming the largest empire in Pre-Columbian America. Spanish conquerors, led by Francisco Pizarro, arrived in 1533 and took control of a large portion of Inca territory. Eventually, they gained power over the entire Andean region, establishing the Viceroyalty of Peru in 1542.
Despite their inability to fend off the Spanish, the Incas are remembered as an advanced civilization, with evidence of laws, roads, bridges, and a complex irrigation system. However, they did not have a writing system and used knotted ropes for record-keeping.
More about Aztecs
The Aztecs were an ethnic group from central Mexico, particularly those who spoke the Nahuatl language and dominated large parts of Mesoamerica in the 14th, 15th, and 16th centuries. The term “Aztec” means “people from Aztlan,” a mythological place for the Nahuatl-speaking people. The Aztecs founded their largest city, Tenochtitlan, in A.D. 1325, which is now the location of Mexico City. The Mexican Valley became the heart of Aztec civilization in the 13th century, where the Aztec Triple Alliance’s capital was built. This alliance led to the expansion of political hegemony beyond the Mexican Valley as they conquered other cities throughout Mesoamerica. The Aztec culture was rich and complex, with impressive architecture and artistic accomplishments.
Differences between Aztecs and Incas
Aztec civilization thrived in central Mexico between 1325 AD and 1523 AD, developing advanced agricultural techniques such as floating gardens called Chinampas. Incas lived on the South-Eastern Coast of South America, in present-day Peru, from 1450 A.D. to 1535 A.D. They devised a clever farming system by carving hillsides for irrigation using water drawn from nearby canals and streams. Beans, squash, and corn were the primary food sources for the Incas.
The Aztecs were known for their fierce nature, which was evident in their social and cultural practices, such as the game Tlatchli and the sacrificial rituals for their Sun god, llamas. They often went to war to capture prisoners for sacrifices. In contrast, Incas were a more peaceful civilization, which may have contributed to their easy downfall. When Francisco Pizarro, the Spanish conqueror, arrived, the Inca king and his nobles greeted him, only to be treacherously killed.
Both civilizations were ultimately destroyed by Spanish conquerors.
