Chapter 22 The Mayans Flashcards

Questions and Answers

Mayan culture flourished in the region known as?

Mesoamerica

The first Mesoamericans to use a solar calendar were the?

Olmecs

The Mayas developed their own system of hieroglyphic writing during the _____

Pre-Classic period

Tikal, Copan, Chichén Itzá, and Palenque are four major Mayan?

Cities Signup and view all the answers

Where did Mayan cities continue to prosper during the Post-Classic period?

on the Yucatán Peninsula Signup and view all the answers

Who was at the top of the social pyramid in each Mayan city-state?

the ruler Signup and view all the answers

Which members of Mayan society knew how to read and write?

the ruler, nobles, and priests Signup and view all the answers

Mayan traders traveled by sea, river, and well-constructed roads to trade with other city-states.

True Signup and view all the answers

Who were considered the backbone of Mayan society because they grew most of the food?

peasants Signup and view all the answers

When might slaves be sacrificed to the gods?

upon the deaths of their owners Signup and view all the answers

Women and girls prepared the food and cared for the home.

True Signup and view all the answers

What happened at the ceremony that marked the birth of a child?

The priest forecast the baby's future. Signup and view all the answers

Why did boys wear a white bead in their hair and girls wear a string of red shells around their waists?

They were symbols of children's innocence. Signup and view all the answers

When arranging a marriage of their children, the families had to agree on?

how many years a young man would work for his new wife's family. Signup and view all the answers

Why did the Mayas build their cities around religious and ceremonial centers?

Religion was very important to the Mayas. Signup and view all the answers

Why did the Mayas honor their gods?

They feared that the gods who created the world could also destroy it. Signup and view all the answers

Priests used the Sacred Round to?

determine the best days to plant, hunt, cure, do battle, and perform religious ceremonies. Signup and view all the answers

The primary Mayan food was?

Corn Signup and view all the answers

How did Mayan farmers adapt to the environment of the mountainous highlands?

They built terraces to make more land available for planting. Signup and view all the answers

What happened by 900 C.E. that marked the end of the Classic period of Mayan history?

Mayas had abandoned their large cities to the jungle. Signup and view all the answers

This Mayan palace was built in Labná toward the end of the Classic period, which ended about?

900 CE Signup and view all the answers

Mesoamerica is in what present-day countries?

southern Mexico, Belize, most of Guatemala, and parts of Honduras and El Salvador. Signup and view all the answers

The Pre-Classic period lasted from about _____

2000 B.C.E. to 300 C.E. Signup and view all the answers

What happened during the Pre-Classical period?

During this time, the Mayas farmed the land and lived in simple houses and compounds, or groups of buildings. Signup and view all the answers

The Classic period was from _ until _

300 to 900 C.E. Signup and view all the answers

What did the Mayas achieve during the Classic period?

They built enormous stone cities with elaborate and highly decorated temple-pyramids and palaces. The Mayas also built observatories for studying the sky. They charted the movements of the moon, stars, and planets. They used their knowledge of astronomy and mathematics to create complex and highly accurate calendars. Signup and view all the answers

The Post-Classic period lasted from _ until _

900 C.E. to 1500 C.E. Signup and view all the answers

What happened during the Post-Classical period?

During this time, the Mayas continued their warfare and empire building, but they had fewer great artistic and cultural achievements. Signup and view all the answers

What were the ruler's jobs, religious connections, and what was to happen when they died?

He ruled the state with the help of his advisers. He decided when and with whom to go to war. The Mayan ruler was considered a god-king. When he died, a son or another close male relative succeeded him. Signup and view all the answers

Could the ruler be a female?

Mayan rulers were almost always men, but scholars believe that some women had considerable influence, probably through family relationships. Signup and view all the answers

What were the duties of the Mayan women?

Mayan women rose before... Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Mayan Culture and Society

Mayan culture thrived in Mesoamerica, a culturally rich region encompassing parts of southern Mexico and Central America.
The Olmecs were the first Mesoamericans to implement a solar calendar, showcasing early advancements in timekeeping.
The Pre-Classic period saw the development of a unique hieroglyphic writing system by the Mayans.

Major Mayan Cities

Notable Mayan cities included Tikal, Copan, Chichén Itzá, and Palenque, each serving as significant cultural and political centers.
During the Post-Classic period, Mayan cities continued to flourish primarily on the Yucatán Peninsula.

The social hierarchy was led by a ruler at the top of each city-state, supported by nobles and priests, who were also the literate members of society.
Peasants formed the backbone of Mayan society, responsible for agricultural production, while women typically managed household duties.

Trade and Economy

Mayan traders utilized a network of sea routes, rivers, and well-constructed roads for commerce with neighboring city-states.
The agricultural economy relied heavily on corn as the primary food source, supplemented by other crops.

Religious Practices

Ceremonial practices were integral to Mayan life, where priests forecasted futures during childbirth ceremonies and often conducted sacrifices, including the possible sacrifice of slaves upon their owners' deaths.
Religious observance was crucial; gods were honored due to the belief that they could destroy the world they created.

Calendar and Astronomy

The Sacred Round was a pivotal tool for priests in determining auspicious days for various activities, including planting and religious events.
Advancements in astronomy allowed the Mayans to create detailed calendars, charting celestial movements and contributing to agricultural planning.

Key Historical Periods

The Pre-Classic period (2000 B.C.E. to 300 C.E.) was characterized by initial agricultural practices and simple housing structures.
The Classic period (300 to 900 C.E.) marked a cultural peak with the construction of large cities, temple-pyramids, and observatories.
By 900 C.E., the Classic period ended as many Mayan cities were abandoned, leading into the Post-Classic period (900 to 1500 C.E.) where cultural achievements decline amidst ongoing warfare.

Rulership and Governance

Mayan rulers were seen as god-kings, wielding the power to instigate warfare and govern with a council of advisers. Succession typically fell to a male relative upon the ruler's death.
Although predominantly male, some women exerted significant influence in Mayan governance through familial ties.

Cultural Practices and Traditions

Symbols of innocence in children included a white bead in boys' hair and a string of red shells for girls during their upbringing.
Marriages required agreements on the duration of labor the groom would provide to the bride's family, reflecting economic and social arrangements.

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Test your knowledge of Mayan culture and history with these flashcards. This quiz covers significant aspects of the Mayans, including their cities, calendar systems, and hieroglyphic writing. Perfect for students studying Mesoamerican civilizations.