Compare And Contrast Mali And Aztecs

The Mali Empire (ca. 1200-1500) and the Aztecs (ca. 1300-1500) lived contemporaneously during the Post-Classical Era. These civilizations lived hundreds and thousands of miles apart, needless to say that they were in different continents. The legacies that these civilizations left behind yielded great impacts on the world today: from the unique cultures that engulf people’s spirits to the great innovative technologies we continue to develop. Insights about the military defense, religion, and technology of the Mali empire and Aztecs will allow one to interpret the many facets of what shaped the modern world. Although they bear some superficial similarities, the differences between the Mali empire and the Aztec civilization are clear. Around

Sundiata became Mali’s first great leader after overthrowing Ghana and other trading cities by “putting able administrators in charge of Mali’s finances, defense, and foreign affairs” (“Societies and Empires of Africa” 415). After his reign, another emperor named Mansa Musa expanded the empire, while also establishing a strong military base. Mansa Musa was a wealthy military leader with a strong pursuit of the gold and salt trade. With a 100,000-man army, Mansa Musa kept order and protected the Mali empire from going under attack. Concurrently in the world, the Aztecs controlled a vast empire that “stretched out from central Mexico to the atlantic and Pacific coasts and south into Oaxaca” (“The Aztecs Control Central Mexico” 454). They based their power on military conquest and human sacrifice or tribute such as gold, maize, cacao beans, etc., that they gained from their conquered subjects. The

According to Stanford University, some historians believe that Africans converted to Islam because of economic motivations, Islam’s spiritual message, and the prestige and influence of Arabic literacy in state buildings (Stanford). Although trade predates Islam, the North African Muslims intensified the Trans-Saharan trade-- especially since Mansa Musa took a pilgrimage with gold. Soon, the presence of Muslim merchants in the empire resulted in the establishment of mosques. What’s more, Musa’s descendants followed the King’s path to encourage the building of mosques and the development of Islamic learning. The spread of Islamic faith also led to the art of writing and cities like Timbuktu thrived as commercial and intellectual centers. In contrast, however; the Aztec’s religious calling was a complex interaction of gods, dates, and nature (Aztec Indians). The Aztecs valued human sacrifice, as it promoted the idea that their god, Huitzilopochtli needed human blood to regain his strength and escape the forces of darkness. Human sacrifices also gave the right impressions to the Aztec’s enemies by preserving their political power and authority. In addition to that, followers of the ancient Aztec religion believed that keeping nature in balance was very important. Prophecies were also a great part of the ancient religion, for the way someone died declared how that person would spend