How to Compare the Cultures of the Aztecs & the Incas

The Aztecs and the Incas are both ancient civilizations that you might study in a history course in school. These civilizations are both from around the early sixteenth century and both eventually reached great power. However, there are many differences that you can use to compare them. Using effective methods to compare the two cultures will help you learn more about them, which allows you to do well on a history exam or to write an essay comparing the Aztec and Inca cultures.

Instructions

    • 1

      Check out a modern map to get a better idea of where these two civilizations were located. The Incas lived in the area that is known as Peru and some surrounding areas, while the Aztecs lived in the area known as Mexico. Both groups lived above Antarctica and below Dallas, Texas on a map.

    • 2

      Look at the dates that these two cultures started and ultimately ended. The Aztecs lived from 1375 to 1521, and the Incas lived from 1438 to 1532. The dates are very similar, and these groups lived during the same general timeframe.

    • 3

      Find out more about how each culture ended. The Aztecs were defeated by the Spanish, particularly Hernán Cortés. They suffered from smallpox and were also defeated in battle by an army of mostly indigenous people that did not want to get taken over by the Aztecs. The Incas were defeated by an army led by Francisco Pizarro. Pizarro also introduced smallpox to the Incan civilization and had an army of indigenous people.

    • 4

      Factor in interesting facts about both cultures that set them apart from each other. For example, the Aztecs were pioneers of modern education, requiring all children to get a formal education regardless of sex, class or status. The Incans had one of the most diverse cultures to ever exist with more than 700 languages being spoken by the Incan people and no sole political body to rule.

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