Reference no: EM133573877

Chapter 12

" The Aztec leader Montezuma asked Cortes about his obsession with Gold. Cortes replied that the Spanish had a disease that only gold could cure." From a Spanish account

Read Chapter Eighteen

Of the numerous cultures of ancient South and Middle America, two great empires emerged in the 16th Century. In the Andes Mountains of South America, the Incas united the many advanced cultures into one great state. It built a system of roads that would have stretched around most of the globe. In the area of modern Mexico would emerge the Empire of the Aztecs. It was said by Spanish eye witnesses that upon approaching the capital of the Aztecs, the Spanish were amazed by its' beauty and culture. To the south of the Aztecs, remnants of the once great culture of the Maya still existed. All of these peoples would be subjugated to Spanish rule due to superior European military technology and, most important, diseases carried by the European invaders.

Questions

Based on the nature of Aztec human sacrifice, were the Spanish wrong to destroy their culture?

How do the gender roles of the Aztecs compare with the gender roles found in other ancient civilizations? What factors underlay the Aztec practice of massive ritual sacrifice? How were those sacrifices perceived by the Spanish invaders?

Do you believe the Incan civilization had reached the limits of its developmental potential. Why?