Great Empires of the Past
2 total works
Though the Incas left no written records of their great civilization, the archaeological remains and accounts of Spanish conquistadors and priests paint a picture of a well-ordered, vast empire. In the mountains of Peru and Ecuador, traces of Inca culture remain today in the road system that winds through the Andes, where people practice a religion that mixes the Catholicism of the Spanish conquerors with the animism of the Inca. Living in small homes and storehouses that date back to Inca times, these people have been celebrating traditional festivals and market days for more than 800 years. Using accessible and lively prose, ""Empire of the Inca, Revised Edition"" explores the history and culture of this fascinating civilization, highlighting the ideas and items that originated in the empire and are still encountered in the modern world, such as potatoes and jerky, words from the Quechua language, and mobile military field hospitals.
Despite only existing for two centuries, the Aztec managed to found their civilization on an island in the Valley of Mexico, link causeways to the mainland, develop far-reaching trade agreements, and build Tenochtitlan, one of the world's largest cities at the time of the Spanish invasion. Today, many people living in Mexico can trace their roots back to the Aztec Empire, which serves as a bridge between the modern and ancient worlds. ""Empire of the Aztec"" opens with a summary of the rise and fall of the empire, placing it within the context of its time period and geographical location. The second half of this new book explores the daily lives of the Aztec people, focusing on their social customs, religious practices, family and community structure, and cultural accomplishments, and includes primary sources to offer firsthand accounts. The volume concludes with the legacy of the Aztec and how it is maintained today.