Thesis Statement: Aztec and Mayan religious practices were unique and sometimes barbaric. From daily rituals to elaborate ceremonies dedicated to the worship of deities the Aztec and Maya were ensconced in their religion.

B. Structures Built towards Devotion

III. Religions effect on Aztec and Mayan Society

A. Similarities and Differences between the two societies

Central America is a continent rich in culture as well as history. Inhabitants of Central America are comprised of a mixture of Indian and Spanish decent. The best known of the Central American Indians is the Aztec and Maya. The society of the Aztec and Maya held religion to the utmost highest priority. Aztec and Mayan religious practices were unique and sometimes barbaric. From daily rituals to elaborate ceremonies dedicated to the worship of deities the Aztec and Maya were ensconced in their religion. Aztec and Mayan religious zeal indirectly contributed to their demise.

The Aztec and Mayan religion had some similarities as well as some differences. The similarity was that the two societies shared the same god. The god the two Indian nations shared was a feathered serpent. Aztecs called him Quetzalcoatl. Mayans called him Kukulcan (Hewett 282). Regardless of the names he was a principal god in Aztec and Mayan religion. The difference between the two nations was that the Aztecs were a nation engrossed in war. As was said before many aspects of Aztec society was based on war in order to appease the gods. The Mayans, however were a nation that thrived on peace.

Not only were the Aztecs infamous in they're practice of sacrifices, they practiced cannibalism also. This hideous act appalled the Spanish when they arrived in Central America. In one account of a sacrifice by heart extraction the body was thrown down the steps, torn to pieces, then roasted in ovens and eaten as a delicacy (Conrad and Demarest 29). Many primitive cultures practiced cannibalism. This most cruel and vicious act was a normal occurrence in Aztec life. The Mayan Indians were said to be one of the most advanced civilizations ever to thrive in Central America. Just like the Aztecs the Mayans had several deities that they worshipped. The Maya worshipped a primary Zeus-like god his name was Itzamma (Spinden 99). Al Puch was the lord of death. AL Puch was a principal malicious god that had a grotesque disfigured figure. Yum Kaax was the maize god. He was supposedly at the mercy of the evil gods when the friendly gods weren't present. One last god that had some importance was Ek Ahau, the god of war. Ek Ahau was called the black captain (Spinden 103). Many Mayans prayed to him before as well as after battle.

One of the most amazing aspects of Aztec society was the calendar. There were actually 260 days in a year on the calendar. Aztec calendars were based on eighteen feasts a year, which corresponded, with each month. The Aztecs constructed intricate calendar stones that had the schedules throughout the year on the stone itself. These schedules depicted times of religious ceremonies, sacrifices, and yes-even work. There were five days that were extra per-se on the calendar. These five days were considered to be extremely unlucky (Hewett 237). Religious ceremonies went hand in hand with the Aztec calendar. At the end of every month there was a feast. Along with the monthly feast came a sacrifice. The man who was chosen to be sacrificed was sometimes an enemy warrior. At times the man chosen was an Aztec warrior. Aztec warriors believed that if they volunteered and were chosen for sacrifice a god-like status would be bestowed upon them (Microsoft Encarta 1996). Regardless of who was chosen it was of the highest honor to be sacrificed. The victim was, in so many words, given the key

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Approximate Word count = 2098
Approximate Pages = 8 (250 words per page double spaced)