Aztec vs. Mayan — What's the Difference?
By Fiza Rafique & Urooj Arif — Updated on May 7, 2024
The Aztecs, centered in central Mexico, built a vast empire through conquest, while the Mayans, based in the Yucatán Peninsula, were known for their city-states and advancements in writing and astronomy.
Difference Between Aztec and Mayan
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
The Aztec civilization thrived in central Mexico from the 14th to the 16th centuries, known for their powerful empire built through military conquest and alliances. On the other hand, the Mayan civilization, which dates back to as early as 2000 BC in the Yucatán Peninsula and adjacent areas, was renowned for its dispersed city-states rather than a unified empire.
The Aztecs used a tributary system where conquered peoples were required to pay tribute, enhancing the Aztec economy and consolidating their political control. Whereas the Mayans engaged in trade and used a variety of currency forms like cacao beans and woven cloth, supporting a complex economy without centralized control.
Aztec society was highly stratified with a ruling emperor, nobles, commoners, serfs, and slaves, emphasizing a rigid class structure. In contrast, Mayan society also had a hierarchical structure but was more noted for the role of its priestly class in society and its less centralized form of governance.
In terms of religion, the Aztecs are famous for their emphasis on human sacrifice to appease and nourish their gods. Whereas the Mayans also practiced human sacrifice, but on a lesser scale, and were more focused on other forms of ritual such as bloodletting and offerings.
Culturally, the Aztecs are known for their monumental architecture like the Templo Mayor in Tenochtitlan, reflecting their imperial and religious ambitions. The Mayans, however, excelled in creating elaborate ceremonial centers, such as those in Tikal and Palenque, which were integral to their religious and community life.
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Comparison Chart
Time Period
14th to 16th centuries
As early as 2000 BC to the 16th century
Political Structure
Empire with a centralized government
City-states with localized rule
Economy
Tributary system and trade
Complex trade networks with various forms of currency
Social Structure
Stratified with a strong emphasis on military and nobility
Hierarchical but significant role of priests and lesser centralization
Cultural Achievements
Monumental architecture, military conquests
Advanced writing, astronomy, elaborate ceremonial centers
Compare with Definitions
Aztec
Connected with the Aztec religion, which involved complex rituals and human sacrifices.
Aztec priests performed numerous rituals to honor their pantheon of gods.
Mayan
Relating to the Mayan languages, a family of Amerindian languages spoken by the Maya peoples.
Yucatec and K'iche' are among the many Mayan languages still spoken today.
Aztec
Relating to the Aztec language, Nahuatl.
Aztec inscriptions often include glyphs that are both ideographic and phonetic.
Mayan
Referring to Mayan religious practices, distinct from those of other Mesoamerican cultures.
Mayan rituals often involved complex astronomical calculations to set dates.
Aztec
A Mesoamerican people who dominated central Mexico in the 14th to 16th century.
The Aztecs built the grand city of Tenochtitlan on an island in Lake Texcoco.
Mayan
Pertaining to the civilization that developed in Mesoamerica, particularly in the Yucatán Peninsula.
The Mayans developed a sophisticated calendar and writing system.
Aztec
Regarding Aztec art, which includes sculptures, pottery, and featherwork.
Aztec art is distinguished by its intricate and symbolic designs.
Mayan
Concerning the architectural and artistic achievements of the Mayans.
Mayan architecture is noted for its stepped pyramids and palaces.
Aztec
Pertaining to the cultural, social, and political systems of the Aztec empire.
Aztec society was highly organized with a strict class system.
Mayan
Connected with Mayan mathematics and astronomy, which were highly advanced for their time.
Mayans used a vigesimal (base-20) numeral system.
Aztec
A member of a people of central Mexico whose civilization was at its height at the time of the Spanish conquest in the early 16th century.
Mayan
A Maya.
Aztec
The Nahuatl language of the Aztecs.
Mayan
A linguistic stock of Central America that includes Quiché and Yucatec.
Aztec
Of or relating to the Aztecs or their language, culture, or empire.
Mayan
Of or relating to the Maya, their culture, or the Mayan linguistic stock.
Aztec
Of or relating to one of the early races in Mexico that inhabited the great plateau of that country at the time of the Spanish conquest in 1519.
Mayan
Designating, or pertaining to, an American Indian linguistic stock occupying the Mexican States of Veracruz, Chiapas, Tabasco, Campeche, and Yucatan, together with a part of Guatemala and a part of El Salvador. See 2nd Maya.
Aztec
A member of the Nahuatl people who established an empire in Mexico that was overthrown by Cortes in 1519
Mayan
Of or pertaining to the Mayas.
Mayan
A member of an American Indian people of Yucatan and Belize and Guatemala who had a culture (which reached its peak between AD 300 and 900) characterized by outstanding architecture and pottery and astronomy;
Mayans had a system of writing and an accurate calendar
Mayan
A family of American Indian languages spoken by Mayan peoples
Common Curiosities
What were the religious beliefs of the Aztecs and Mayans?
Both civilizations were polytheistic, but the Aztecs focused heavily on sun worship and human sacrifices to ensure cosmic order. The Mayans worshiped a broader array of deities related to nature and astronomy and practiced fewer human sacrifices.
How did Aztec and Mayan art differ?
Aztec art was often monumental and served to glorify the empire and its rulers, featuring motifs related to warfare and religion. Mayan art was highly detailed and complex, focusing on royal life, religious ceremonies, and astronomical themes.
How did the collapse of the Aztec and Mayan civilizations occur?
The Aztec Empire was conquered by Spanish conquistadors led by Hernán Cortés in 1521. The Mayan civilization declined through a combination of internal strife, overpopulation, environmental degradation, and eventually Spanish conquest in the 17th century.
How did the Aztecs and Mayans handle warfare?
Warfare in Aztec society was a means to gain territory and captives for sacrifice. For the Mayans, warfare was often conducted to gain political dominance over rival city-states and to capture nobles for ransom or sacrifice.
What technological advancements did the Aztecs and Mayans achieve?
The Aztecs engineered extensive irrigation and floating gardens (chinampas) for agriculture. The Mayans excelled in the construction of water reservoirs and developed the concept of zero in mathematics.
Can you describe the social hierarchy in both Aztec and Mayan cultures?
In Aztec society, the emperor and nobility had absolute power, followed by warriors, merchants, and farmers, with slaves at the bottom. Mayan society was similarly hierarchical but featured a more prominent role for priests and scholars, especially in astronomical and calendrical calculations.
What were the primary economic activities of the Aztecs and Mayans?
The Aztecs relied heavily on agriculture, tribute, and trade, with a significant focus on military conquest to expand economic resources. The Mayans also depended on agriculture, notably maize cultivation, and developed extensive trade networks.
What role did astronomy play in Aztec and Mayan cultures?
Astronomy was crucial for both cultures for calendrical and ceremonial purposes. However, the Mayans developed a more advanced understanding, which they used for their elaborate calendar system and to schedule religious ceremonies.
What were the writing systems of the Aztec and Mayan civilizations like?
The Aztecs used a pictographic and ideographic script mainly for calendrical and ritual purposes. The Mayans had a fully developed written language using hieroglyphs that represented both sounds and concepts, which they used for historical and ceremonial records.
How did trade differ between the Aztec and Mayan civilizations?
Aztec trade was controlled by the state and focused on acquiring luxury goods for the nobility and resources for tribute. Mayan trade was more decentralized, involving exchange of goods like jade, chocolate, and feathers across and beyond their city-states.
How are the languages of the Aztec and Mayan civilizations preserved today?
Nahuatl, the language of the Aztecs, is still spoken by about 1.5 million people in Mexico. Many Mayan languages are also spoken today, preserving rich traditions and linguistic diversity.
What architectural achievements distinguish the Aztec and Mayan civilizations?
The Aztecs are known for their massive pyramidal temples and planned cities like Tenochtitlan. The Mayans are celebrated for their step pyramids, palaces, and observatories, particularly in cities like Chichen Itza and Palenque.
How did each civilization interact with neighboring cultures?
The Aztecs often subdued neighboring tribes through warfare and enforced a tribute system. The Mayans engaged in both trade and conflict with neighboring cultures, influencing and being influenced by them culturally.
What are some common misconceptions about the Aztecs and Mayans?
Common misconceptions include the idea that the Mayans mysteriously disappeared (they still have millions of descendants today) and that the Aztecs were solely a warrior society, overlooking their achievements in agriculture and the arts.
What educational systems existed in the Aztec and Mayan societies?
The Aztecs had formal schools for the nobility and commoners, focusing on military, history, and religious instruction. The Mayans educated their elite, particularly in astronomy, mathematics, and writing, often conducted by priests.
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Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
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Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
