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Over a thousand years ago in the Mesoamerica region the culture that we know as Maya thrived. They had an amazement and intrigued fascination over the technical mastery of their intellectual studies. The Mayan’s history is rich with remarkable human achievements, as well as stories. Some of their most recognizable masterpieces are the Mayan trade network, building Cities, the Mayan number system, and the Mayan calendar.
It was one of the first civilizations to engage in and produce significant achievement in astronomy, engineering and agriculture. For instance, they built a pyramid at Chichen Itza, present day Mexico, similar to those in Egypt. Here, they would observe the movement of the stars, sun, moon and planets. Their interest in astronomy led to their innovation of the Mayan Calendar. Moreover, they built these pyramids in order to get closer to the Gods.
The Egyptians created several different systems that were used for constructing pyramid. One of those system would be the ramp and lever pully system and this allowed them to place bricks and stones on top of each other with ease. Another Advancement that helped the Egyptians with construction was mathematics and astronomy, and they were very good at
Their trade network covered thousands of square miles and allowed them to trade commodities, luxuries, and much more. They also put ample amounts of effort into creating the trade routes, and carrying the goods. The Mayan city architecture took considerable time and effort, and additionally required intelligence. As they were in a period of pre-industrialism, the Mayans needed to utilize manpower instead of advanced technology. Hence, they required a powerful political system to order a large workforce to construct the complex structures.
The Mayans were people with no central government, and yet individuals worked hard to complete buildings for the whole community. The citizens of Mayan cities followed orders from higher political powers, which organized the work and maintenance of these places. (Doc B) The effort put into building these cities must have been unimaginable. The Mayans worked hard to construct many places without the luxury of having a previously established government and system to command over the people.
Around 1800 B.C. to A.D. 250, the Mayans prospered in Central America and became one of the famous empires of all time (Jarus). Because this civilization conquered so long ago, it is important to know how they were successful in doing so. Just like the Aztecs and Incas, the Mayan society learned how to grow and prosper through farming (Jarus). The Mayan empire is also known for constructing large pyramids for their gods, and also for the creation of hieroglyphics (Jarus). The Mayans were very smart and created an empire like no other in the Americas.
For living in a time period where there was not a lot of technological advances that would help them build what they wanted at a faster pace, they had to learn to work with what they had. They also had to learn how to work with materials to be able to make the magnificent and amazing temples, that they are known for. “ The general temple-pyramid consisted of a platform, a long, broad, steep double staircase going up the center, with balustrades going up the sides of the steps. The Aztecs used sculpted stone blocks and skulls to decorate the platform and the ends of the balustrades” (General Construction of Pyramid-Temples). The Aztecs used and made platforms and tools that would help them make their temples better and better each time.
The main reason the Aztecs built such amazing structures was to honor their gods. During this time period the resources for building were extremely limited making the pyramids a magnificent achievement that to this day baffles historians. They used simple tools, and had barely any knowledge on how to build them. On top of these extraordinary projects the level of detail was simply spectacular. “The inside walls were ornamented with either sculpture or painted…
B) Maya architecture also incorporates various art forms and hieroglyphic texts. Masonry architecture built by the Maya recommended craft specialization, central organization, and political power. The architecture was a remarkable achievement because they built great pyramids, stone palaces, temples, ball courts and other ritual buildings that require lots of effort to make. In fact, "for the single home of a Copan nobleman, It has been estimated that at least 80 to 130 workers would have been employed full time to finish in two to three months." (Document B)
Socrates found guilty of corrupting the youth, not believing gods, and practicing daimonic activity and the court put him in the prison. Socrates friend Crito came to prison to take Socrates out of the prison. However, Socrates believed escaping from the prison was unjust move and he denied the idea of escaping the prison. Crito who was one of his close friends could not just let Socrates die in front of him, so Crito started to question Socrates of why he thought it is unjust to leave the prison. Crito opened an argument on what people would think of him when Socrates die and the other argument was that it is not just for him to not escape from the prison.
West Mexico: West Mexicans unlike the Olmecs did not produce large sculptures but produced permanent structures like tiered platforms and ball courts. West Mexico is mostly known for its clay sculptures often found in tombs and usually a orange or red color these clay sculptures often depicted rituals. Maya Civilization: Similar to the Olmecs the Mayans also have large statues of rock that honor their rulers like the Stelae D in Copan which is detailed with many symbols and hieroglyphs. The temple of the giant jaguar at Tikal which is 45 feet tall and the burial place for one of their rulers. The temple has 9 huge steps said to represent the 9 levels of the underworld.
Pyramids were not only secluded to Egypt, but rather expanded far across the world in varying time periods. The basic form of the pyramids was discovered in Peru as mounds of earth compacted into a temple. Much later, many more were built in Central America by the Olmec, Aztec, and Maya ("Pyramids," 2001). All of the societies that built pyramids had some-sort of polytheistic beliefs, where building this structures brought them closer to their god. The influence this had on the world was extraordinary and allowed for a stronger sense of community
The Mayans painted colorful murals depicting gods and other mythological figures on the walls of their houses. Mayan ceramics were made in a wide variety of forms and decorated with complicated scenes. The Mayans also designed artwork from flint, bone and shell, and made decorated cotton textiles. The Mayans were
As a civilization in the jungle, the Maya are well known for their architecture, art, monumental sculptures, and calendars. The Mayan religious, ritualistic culture is developed and maintained in conjunction of the native people, as well as a communication and ties to the earth and sky. Understanding the Maya people and their religion is similar to understanding the geographical location of the people, and therefore their life source. There is great importance within the items that surrounded them geographically. Products or resources that sustained them as a community, or maintained their health and wellbeing, also created foundations for their religious belief system.
Both cultures beliefs were centred around their gods. For this reason, most of their architecture had some sort of religious background. The Egyptian, as well as the Mayan built pyramids; although their intention of use differed. The purpose behind the Egyptians pyramids were to be used as burial sites for pharaohs and the royal families. In the other hand, the Mayans constructed pyramids for sacrificial purposes, as well as for worshiping gods.