Maya, Inca, and Aztec Civilizations

Vocabulary terms and definitions detailing the social structures, political systems, environmental adaptations, cultural achievements, and economic practices of the Maya, Inca, and Aztec civilizations.

Maya City-States

Independent political units of the Maya civilization, each governed by its own king who held vital political and religious responsibilities.

Glyphs

The symbols comprising the written communication system developed by the Maya to record information.

Maya Reservoirs

Storage structures constructed by the Maya to collect and preserve rainwater for use during the dry season.

Ayllu

An Inca community group whose members shared responsibilities and assisted one another with agricultural labor and other tasks.

Sapa Inca

The title of the supreme ruler of the Inca Empire, who governed with the assistance of appointed officials.

Inca Road Network

An extensive transportation system that linked the Inca Empire and facilitated the movement of officials, messengers, and military forces.

Inca Agricultural Terraces

Stepped fields constructed along steep mountainsides by the Inca to create arable farmland and prevent soil erosion.

Inti

The Inca sun god, who was worshipped alongside other deities in specially constructed temples.

Mortarless Stone Architecture

An Inca construction technique of fitting precisely carved stones together without mortar, producing resilient walls that could withstand earthquakes.

Mit'a

A mandatory labor obligation required by the Inca state, which supported imperial projects while the government redistributed food and supplies.

Calpulli

An Aztec community organization responsible for managing local affairs, including land allocation, education, and communal duties.

Huey Tlatoani

The paramount ruler of the Aztec Empire who governed from the capital city of Tenochtitlan.

Chinampas

Raised agricultural plots built by the Aztecs in shallow lake beds to cultivate crops and boost food yields.

Aztec Causeways and Aqueducts

Engineering works constructed by the Aztecs; causeways linked island Tenochtitlan to the mainland, while aqueducts transported fresh water into the city.

Huitzilopochtli and Tlaloc

Two of the prominent deities worshipped in Aztec polytheism, honored with temple constructions and religious rituals.

Pictorial Codices

Illustrated manuscript books created by the Aztecs to document historical, religious, and administrative information.

Pochteca

Specialized, long-distance merchants in Aztec society who conducted regional trade through large market networks.

Tribute (Aztec)

Mandatory payments of goods and resources demanded by the Aztec Empire from populations subdued through military expansion.