Similarities and Differences between the Aztec and Incan Civilizations

On the other hand, whereas the Incans lived in mountainous areas and practiced irrigation farming, the Aztecs lived in muddy areas, practices chinampas farming, and focused on trade. These similarities and differences are can be broadly explored by focusing on different aspects of their lives including religious beliefs, political systems, agriculture, art, technology, architecture, trade, warfare, and sport. Religion Religion was extremely important for both Incas and Aztecs empires. Religion formed part of their daily lives as both believed in gods (Conklin 3). Both believed in the sun god as the highest deity and even offered human sacrifices. Perhaps the major difference between the two religions was that Aztecs were polytheistic in that they believed in numerous gods with each god having a unique ability such as the god of rain, order, destiny, fortune, sorcery, and war.

In fact, there were at least 128 major goods as well as many other minor ones (Baquedano and Zabe 35). For Incas, the most important god was Inti, the god of the sun, who was placed at the centre of all divinities. Also, Incas were more tolerant of the local beliefs and allowed the people to worship other goods. Inti was seen as the father of all the other gods and had power over nature. Note that both empires used almost the same colours and techniques in their pottery. One of the most notable technological achievements of the Aztecs was the contraction of the island city, Tenochtitlan (Steele and Macdonald 97). Through the creation of a number of artificial islands, the Aztecs were able to expand the area of their city.

Nevertheless, there was a number of differences on how art was used among the Incas and the Aztecs. Majorly, art was used as a religious expression among the Aztec empires while the same was used as a metalwork in the Incan empire. However, these roads were highly regulated to the point that they were only open to those individuals who worked on the empire’s business (Baquedano and Zabe 54). On the other hand, the Aztec's technological advancements were majorly in the form of education. They were advanced mathematicians. Their number system was the most advanced at the time and they even designed their own calendar. Further, astronomy was an important part of their technology although it was heavily linked to their goods.

Perhaps the most important techniques invented by the Aztecs was the chinampas. Chinampas refers to floating fields on a shallow lakebed that is artificially built by layering sediments, soil and other decaying vegetation for the sole purpose of growing crops (Conklin 2). Basically, chinampas were floating farms on top of swamps. The principal crop for the Aztecs was corn. Other crops included avocados, chili peppers beans, tomatoes, and squash. Also, the Inca made use of natural fertilizers including the nitrate-rich bird droppings as well as slaughters Ilamas (Steele and Macdonald 12). Political Organization The Incan empire was greatly centralized and all the decisions originated from the King (Incan) himself. Further, the Incan adopted a monarchy system where the throne was handed down to the eldest son thereby maintaining a dynasty.

The rulers maintained a firm grip on their subjects and controlled every aspect of their lives from the work performed to the clothes worn. Thus the ruling elites strongly believed that it was their right to rule as they were the original people, that is, the descendants of the sun (Steele and Macdonald 13). Note that, the rulers did nothing to promote any form of commerce with the outside world (Steele and Macdonald 14). On the other hand, even though the ruling elites among the Aztecs, were much better financially than the rest of the population, they allowed some form of land ownership. Further, the Aztecs rulers were focused on commerce and thus there existed big open markets throughout the empire and trade networks that extended far into the Caribbean.

Thus the elites focus on socialization so as to reinforce their views and maintain their dominance over their neighbours. Thus socialization was taught both at school and home and instead of focusing on building in the areas conquered, the empire aimed and imposing their way of life on those conquered (Donn et al. They were left intact with the perception that the empire could enforce its will at any given time if it wanted to. However, this was very dangerous and as it increased chances of revolution against the empire. It is interesting to note such kinds of revolt were rare. The Aztecs had a way of turning the loyalty of the people conquered to their advantage. Further, the Aztec had well laid out warrior classes.

There was little long-distance trade and more so, trade itself was highly controlled by the government. As such, no individual could become an autonomous merchant as it was against the law. Note that, there was considerably small skilled artisan when compared to the Aztecs due to a lack of a large market for the products. The best goods in the empire were further reserved for the ruling elites and the priests who were held in high regards among the people. The peasants were required to contribute part of their produce to the government. The idea was to pass a rubber ball through the stone-ring. Each team had seven players whose uniforms were short skirts, knee protectors, and sandals. The players would then move the ball by bouncing it over the walls until they scored by passing the ball through the ring (Donn et al.

The game itself is highly regarded as a fusion of soccer and basketball. However, no hands were allowed. Due to their architectural prowess, the Incans were able to connect palaces, temples, and terraces that were even more than 100 feet using stones (Donn et al. Further, the Incans were able to construct extensive roads and even rope bridges to connect for easy transport. On the other hand, the Aztecs architecture was largely based on stones, unlike the Incans who focused on metalwork. The most important piece of architecture was the religious pyramids and temples given that they were highly polytheistic. Their houses were also stone-designed and always bright and colourful on the outside. Thus, Incas and Aztecs represent closely related but distinct civilizations.