The Ancient Mayan Civilization A Rigid Social Structure

The Ancient Mayan Civilization was built upon a rigid social structure based on their religious beliefs. They used a caste social structure in which divisions were based on wealth, inherited rank, privilege, profession, or occupation. Their beliefs were based on the fact that nature elements had the power to either help or harm. The Ancient Mayans used their social structure and beliefs to shape their daily lives. The Mayans were a very religious. They believed in many gods and all events centered around their religious beliefs. In their belief system, the gods would bring the rain, heal the sick, bring plentiful harvests and make sure the health and safety of the people if they were honored. If the gods were angry, they believed that the gods would send disasters to their people like droughts throughout their region. In order to keep the gods happy, they believed that a daily sacrifice of blood was necessary. They would open a wound on their body and let the blood drip on paper. Kin gs would also offer their blood to please the gods. The paper would be burned in an offering to the gods. The Mayans worshipped their ancestors as if they were gods. It was believed that the priests could see the spirits in the smoke. When a king or nobleman died, the Mayan people believed that he became one with the gods and would go to live in the sky with them. The dead were buried with food, tools, clothing, and whatever would be needed for their journey. Tombs were built to bury theirShow MoreRelatedThe Ancient Civilizations of Central and South America Essay5364 Words   |  22 PagesThe Ancient Civilizations of Central and South America Central and South America was once home to some of the ancient worlds most magnificent and glorious civilizations. The Incas, Aztecs, and Mayas were just three of these civilizations. These civilizations ruled the area for many years, and flourished greatly in their own different ways. They were the cause for much advancement in arts, architecture, politics, religion, and society in the world. These civilizationsRead MoreMexican Muralism4003 Words   |  17 Pagesstyles are similar in the sense of the amount of expression and movement in their pieces They also share a common ideology that shows up often in their work. Siqueiros’ Portrait of the Bourgeoisie and New Democracy along with Orozco’s American Civilization and Catharsis show you a great cross section of Mexican Muralism, revealing the passions and beliefs of the time period. In order to understand the Mexican muralists, one must first understand the Mexican Revolution. Among the revolutions ofRead MoreThe Birth of Civilization18947 Words   |  76 Pages1 The Birth of Civilization Mohenjo-Daro Figure. Scholars believe this limestone statue from about 2500 B.C.E. depicts a king or a priest from Mohenjo-Daro in the Indus valley in present-day Pakistan. Does this figure seem to emphasize the features of a particular person or the attributes of a particular role? Hear the Audio for Chapter 1 at www.myhistorylab.com CRAIMC01_xxxii-031hr2.qxp 2/17/11 3:22 PM Page xxxii EARLY HUMANS AND THEIR CULTURE page 1 WHY IS â€Å"culture† considered a definingRead MoreOne Significant Change That Has Occurred in the World Between 1900 and 2005. Explain the Impact This Change Has Made on Our Lives and Why It Is an Important Change.163893 Words   |  656 PagesWineburg, Historical Thinking and Other Unnatural Acts: Charting the Future of Teaching the Past Sharon Hartman Strom, Political Woman: Florence Luscomb and the Legacy of Radical Reform Michael Adas, ed., Agricultural and Pastoral Societies in Ancient and Classical History Jack Metzgar, Striking Steel: Solidarity Remembered Janis Appier, Policing Women: The Sexual Politics of Law Enforcement and the LAPD Allen Hunter, ed., Rethinking the Cold War Eric Foner, ed., The New American History