The Mesoamerican region is the cradle of civilization of the Americas, it has given rise to some of the most successful empires in history, starting from 1200 BC until the Spanish conquest of the area in 1525 AD. Two of the very prominent reigning civilizations within the region during the Classic Period (200 - 800 AD) include the Mayan and Teotihuacan civilizations which was home to hundreds of thousands of inhabitants. Although they have many similarities between them since they existed at the same time within the same region, they also each have distinctive features which differentiates their cultures from one another. The major cities of the Mayan Classic period are within present-day southern Mexico, Guatemala, northern Belize and
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Their Gods were exemplified forces of nature for example; the Sun God, Kinih Ahous, or the Maize God, Yum Kaax. (Carmack et. al, p. 116) Their astronomical temples, and pyramids were used for rituals and sacrifice to pay tribute to their gods and were built in harmony with the environment in mind such as the mountains and the stars. (Carmack et. al, p. 117) They had vast palaces for their powerful kings, and all these important monuments are found in the city center which was the heart of the city-states. (Carmack et. al, p. 61) Their favored style of architecture for important monuments were large stepped pyramids. For example the Temple of Inscriptions at Palanque was a stepped pyramid found to have the longest inscriptions within building carved onto the walls and was used as a funerary monument. (Lecture slides) The Mayans created a written language of hieroglyphs which were frequently used to keep track of important events such as the life and death of rulers. Most of these kings would be immortalized on stelae or engraved on important monuments, their great deeds recorded forever. (Lecture slides) Other significant Mayan monuments found in city centers also include ball courts. Common and noble people alike played for fun and recreation, but some games had important religious and spiritual significance. Almost all aspects of Mayan life had their religion tied into their way of life and their religion revolved around harmony with nature for sustainability of their culture. (Lecture
Their Gods were exemplified forces of nature for example; the Sun God, Kinih Ahous, or the Maize God, Yum Kaax. (Carmack et. al, p. 116) Their astronomical temples, and pyramids were used for rituals and sacrifice to pay tribute to their gods and were built in harmony with the environment in mind such as the mountains and the stars. (Carmack et. al, p. 117) They had vast palaces for their powerful kings, and all these important monuments are found in the city center which was the heart of the city-states. (Carmack et. al, p. 61) Their favored style of architecture for important monuments were large stepped pyramids. For example the Temple of Inscriptions at Palanque was a stepped pyramid found to have the longest inscriptions within building carved onto the walls and was used as a funerary monument. (Lecture slides) The Mayans created a written language of hieroglyphs which were frequently used to keep track of important events such as the life and death of rulers. Most of these kings would be immortalized on stelae or engraved on important monuments, their great deeds recorded forever. (Lecture slides) Other significant Mayan monuments found in city centers also include ball courts. Common and noble people alike played for fun and recreation, but some games had important religious and spiritual significance. Almost all aspects of Mayan life had their religion tied into their way of life and their religion revolved around harmony with nature for sustainability of their culture. (Lecture