Final answer:
The Aztec, Inca, and Maya were distinct sophisticated civilizations in the Americas with hierarchical societies, monumental architecture, and advanced cultural practices. The Incas are especially noted for their road networks and state-run economy, the Aztecs for their military might and significant arts, and the Mayas for their writing system and mathematical achievements. Each stood in contrast to the less complex societies of the Native peoples of North America.
Step-by-step explanation:
Comparison of Aztec, Inca, and Maya Civilizations
The Aztec, Inca, and Maya were three distinct civilizations in the Americas with their unique attributes and considerable achievements. The Maya civilization flourished in the dense jungles of Mesoamerica, developing a sophisticated system of writing with hieroglyphics and advancements in mathematics, including the concept of zero. The Maya's political structure was deeply hierarchical with a strong emphasis on a priestly class and a deity-like king.
The Aztec civilization, known for its impressive stone architectures and valued arts, followed a similar hierarchical social structure. They had significant political, religious, and cultural practices centered around their capital, Tenochtitlan. The Aztec society was also characterized by a strong military presence and elaborate public ceremonies.
The Incan Empire, situated in the challenging terrains of the Andes, demonstrated extraordinary abilities in engineering with their road networks and irrigation systems. Their unique approach to economy, with no use of money but the distribution of goods by the state, set them apart from the Aztecs and Mayas. Inca's society was similarly hierarchical, with a king regarded as a sun deity and a system that provided benevolent care to its subjects.
Despite variations, all three civilizations shared similarities in their hierarchical societies, monumental constructions, and the role of religion in governance. They contrasted with the Native peoples of North America, who had less complex structures and no such empires. While expansive, the Mississippian traditions and the Anasazi in North America did not develop the writing systems or monumental architecture on the scale seen in the Inca, Aztec, and Maya civilizations.