The Aztec: Had no large draft animals. They relied entirely on human porters for transport and practiced small-scale animal husbandry.
Aztec & Inca Reference Pack • Page 3
Trade & Economic Control
Section 04
The empire was supported by taxes (tribute) paid by conquered city-states in the form of food, luxury feathers, and gold.
The Inca had no private markets. The central government controlled all resources and redistributed them as needed.
Aztec & Inca Reference Pack • Page 4
Communication Systems
Section 05
A System of Visual Glyphs
The Aztecs recorded history, genealogy, and tax lists in codices (bark books) using pictographic glyphs.
Only the elite and priests were trained to read and produce these records.
The Knotted Record System
The Inca used the Quipu—a system of knotted, colored strings—to maintain precise census data and inventory accounts.
Each knot's position, type, and color held specific meaning, allowing the government to track millions of resources without a written script.
Aztec & Inca Reference Pack • Page 5
Warfare & Warrior Societies
Section 06
For the Aztecs, war was a religious obligation. The primary objective was often to capture enemies alive for ritual sacrifice to fuel the sun.
Maquahuitl: A wooden club edged with razor-sharp obsidian blades capable of great damage.
The Inca maintained a disciplined, professional army. They preferred diplomatic expansion, offering gifts to leaders who joined peacefully.
Stone Mace: A heavy, star-headed striking weapon used for close-range combat in mountain terrain.
The Inca used high-speed relay runners called Chasquis to carry verbal messages and small goods across the empire's vast road network.
Aztec & Inca Reference Pack • Page 6
Gods & The Sun
Section 07
Aztec & Inca Reference Pack • Page 7
Rituals & Afterlife
Section 08
Aztec: Central to state religion; human sacrifice was performed on a massive scale at pyramid tops to keep the cosmos in order.
Inca: Included food, precious textiles, and llamas. Human sacrifice (Capacocha) was rare and reserved for extreme crises or major imperial events.
Aztec: Cremation was common; destination in the afterlife depended on the nature of death.
Inca: The elite were mummified. These mummies were kept as "living ancestors," consulted for advice, and paraded during festivals.
Aztec & Inca Reference Pack • Page 8
Cultural Artistry
Section 09
The most prized art form. Iridescent Quetzal feathers were woven into intricate mosaics for royal headdresses, shields, and capes.
Gold was called "Sweat of the Sun." Master craftsmen made life-sized ritual objects, jewelry, and sun disks used for sacred ceremonies.
Aztec & Inca Reference Pack • Page 9
The Spanish Conquest
Section 10
1519 — 1521
1532 — 1572
Aztec & Inca Reference Pack • Page 10
Factors of Collapse
Section 11
European germs like smallpox killed up to 90% of the population, including rulers, before battles even began.
Steel armor, swords, horses, and firearms gave the Spanish an overwhelming tactical advantage over stone weapons.
The intense Spanish desire for wealth led to the systematic melting and destruction of centuries of cultural history.
End of Reference Pack
Mexico Peru
