Compare Society
6. What type of government did each civilization have? How was power passed
through generations?
In the Aztec civilization, the government was an empire ruled by an emperor known as the Huey Tlatoani. The power was usually passed down through the royal family, from father to son. However, the actual succession process was not strictly hereditary, as the successor was typically chosen from among the noble relatives of the previous ruler.
In the Maya civilization, political power was decentralized, and the society was divided into independent city-states. Each city-state had its own ruler, known as the Halach Uinik or Ajaw, who held both political and religious authority. Power was typically passed down within a ruling family, often from father to son, but there were instances where other members of the ruling elite could ascend to power.
The Inca civilization had a highly centralized government, with the ruler known as the Sapa Inca. The power was usually passed down through the male line of the royal family, from father to son. However, the Sapa Inca was believed to be divine, and therefore, the succession was not purely hereditary. Instead, the ruler would choose his successor before his death, often selecting a younger brother or close relative.
Overall, while all three civilizations had centralized forms of governments, the succession of power varied. The Aztecs had a less strict hereditary system, the Mayans had a combination of hereditary and elite selection, and the Incas had a more structured process of appointment by the ruler.