The Aztec and Inca Empires were two empires that grew their power and success through innovation. The Aztec Empire was an empire located in modern-day Mexico. This empire was a widespread empire, with its capital city of Tenochtitlan resting on an island in the middle of a lake. Due to the empire being very widespread, a road system was necessary to connect the empire and maintain control. With the location of the capital city, came the extreme need for a new, more advanced system of agriculture. On the other hand, The Inca Empire was an empire based in the Andes mountains. The Inca empire required very similar innovations. Because of their mountainous land, flat land capable of being farmed on was non-existent. Also, because of the long length …show more content…
Although having vastly different empires, the Aztecs and Incas shared quite similar road systems. The most significant similarity between the two cultures' road systems was the extensiveness of the roads. Both powers constructed vast networks of roads that spanned hundreds of miles and connected major cities and cultural centers. The Aztec civilization of modern-day Mexico was known for its impressive road system, which was an essential component of the empire’s extensive network of trade and communication. The Aztec road system was designed to connect the capital of Tenochtitlan to other major cities and cultural centers throughout the empire. Their roads were constructed by cutting into the sides of mountains and building up a base of packed earth or stone, followed by a layer of gravel or small stones to create a smooth surface for travel. The Inca road system was a complex network of roads and footpaths that connected the vast Inca Empire, stretching from modern-day Colombia to Argentina and Chile. This impressive network was an essential component of Inca society, facilitating trade, communication, and administration throughout the empire. The road system consisted of over 40,000 kilometers of paved and unpaved roads, and suspension bridges that traversed the high Andes mountains. The roads and bridges were designed to be durable. They were made of natural, local materials such as stones and grass. The Aztec road system was a network of well-maintained roads, bridges, and causeways that spanned the empire, stretching over 16,000 miles. It was carefully designed to adapt to the region's challenging terrain, such as swamps and lakes. The Aztec road system was not only used for transportation, but it was also critical for trade and communication, connecting the empire’s cities, towns, and villages. The roads were wide enough to allow