Mayan And Byzantine Similarities

There are many similarities and differences between the classical Mayan (250-900 C.E.) and post-classical Byzantine (330-1453 C.E.) civilizations. Although these two distinct empires were separated by miles of ocean, they coexisted on this little planet. Both had strong systems of government, separation of social classes, strong religious institutions, unique economies, technological advances, and artistic ingenuity. The real differences, however, were the types of government, religion, social structures, economies, technology, and art both produced.
In both Byzantine and Mayan societies, the government was intertwined with religion and social structure. However, the particular details of each category varied in both civilizations. In the

In the realm of art, both the Byzantines and the Mayans produced great works of architecture and simple arts. In both societies, architecture served a religious and social purpose. Justinian I sponsored the building of massive palaces and the Hagia Sophia (a church in present-day Istanbul). The Mayans built massive palaces, temples, and pyramids. Both Mayan and Byzantine artisans produced great works of pottery and literature (to name a few). However, a main difference was that byzantine art was realistic, whereas Mayan art was pictographic. The Byzantines also produced great mosaics, while the Mayans created great paintings. In terms of their economies, the governments of both civilizations strictly controlled them. Although the Byzantine Empire had a capitalist economy, internal and international trade was controlled by the government. Constantinople was the largest trading center in Europe and its rulers continued to use coins for currency. In contrast, the Maya had a very complex economy that had no official system of currency. The foundations for both economies were also different, Byzantium’s being trade and the Maya’s being agriculture. The trade network of the Byzantines stretched from the Abbasid Empire to Western Europe and Russia. The Byzantines gained much wealth and spread Christianity using

Geography, from Jared Diamond’s view, could be an explanation to such differences and common ground. However, these similarities and differences do not indicate greatness, nor do they indicate the inevitably of collapse. These differences and similarities motivate us to study these amazing cultures today. From the “doomsday” Mayan calendar to massive Byzantine churches, these important civilizations left an unforgettable legacy that fascinates the modern