Mayan Empire Flashcards
What did the Mayans accomplish in the civilization?
They accomplish mathematics, astronomy, and advanced forms of writing.
What role did the Mayans play in astronomy?
They created an accurate yearly calendar and predicted eclipses of the sun.
Explain Popul Vuh
The mayan creation myth taught that god created human beings out of maize and water.
What role did the gods play in the mayan civilization?
Gods kept the world in order and maintained the agriculture cycle in exchange for honors and sacrifice.
What is blood ledding?
A Mayan had to pierce his own tongue and thread a thin rope through the hole, thus letting the blood run down the rope.
Who had to do bloodletting?
Both war captives and mayan royals.
Why did they believe in bloodletting?
They believed that the shedding of human blood would prompt the gods to send rain to water the maize.
What was the point of the “ball game?”
High ranking captives were forced to play to see which people were the fittest, whoever wins gets to stay alive. whoever loses, dies.
What happened to the losers?
Losers became sacrificial victims and faced torture and execution immediately following the match.
What was the objective of the ball game?
To propel an 8 inch rubber ball through a ring or onto a marker without using your hands.
