At about the same time as the great Mayan civilizations of southern Mesoamerica there was another great city thriving. This city, known as Teotihuacan, was to the north of the Mayan civilizations in the Valley of Mexico. It is believed that the city was founded around 150 BCE and was actually built to a plan instead of evolving unsystematically like most other cities. By the year 550Ce the city had expanded to take up about eight square miles and had a population, which has been estimated at from 100,000 to 200,000. This made it easily the largest city in America at the time and also one of the six biggest cities in the world.
Unfortunately there is also quite a bit that is not known about the city, including the original name of the city, language which was spoken by its citizens, or what kind of government was in place in the city. We do know, though, that it was, physically, very large and impressive. The city was built with broad avenues, big marketplaces, large plazas, palaces, and marketplaces. There was a main boulevard which went through the city, now known as the Street of the Dead. Along this street there were the majestic homes of the elite, the headquarters of the authorities of the state, many temples, as well as two giant pyramids. One pyramid was known as the Pyramid of the Sun, while the other was known as the Temple of the Feathered Serpent. It is believed by many people that the citizens of this Teotihuacan believed that the Pyramid of the Sun was the site of creation itself, birthplace of the sun and moon. In the Temple of Feathered Serpents archeologists have found the bones of 200 people who were apparently unwilling sacrificial victims that were forced to accompany the high ranking individuals that were buried there into the after life. The city also contained thousands of apartment complexes which were built of the main avenues in a gridlike pattern of streets. These apartments were home to the commoners that called this city home.
Besides all of these great buildings, the city also contained waterways, reservoirs, drainage systems, and many colorful murals. The buildings of the city were all decorated with these murals, as well as sculptures, and carvings. Most of these pieces of art work displayed abstract geometric and stylized images, while others portrayed gods and goddesses in many different forms, such as serpents, starfish, jaguars, flower, and warriors. The artwork found in Teotihuacan was not like that of the Mayan civilizations though because it did not contain many images of self adoring rulers and individuals. Many people believe that “the rulers of Teotihuacan might have intentionally avoided the personality cult of the dynastic art and writing” which was characteristic of the Maya. There are also many people that believe that the rulers of this great city may have been made up of a council of high ranking elites instead of a single monarch. Although the form of government of the city is not known it acknowledged by many historians that around the time 300-600 CE there was a region of about 10,000 square miles that was administered directly from the city, as well as other areas that likely provided tribute to the city.
Strayer, Robert W. Ways of the World: A Brief Global History. Boston: Bedford/ St. Martin's, 2009. Print.
Unlocking long-sealed cave may solve Mexican pyramid mystery. 2008. xenophilius.wordspress.com. Web. 21 Oct. 2009.
Unfortunately there is also quite a bit that is not known about the city, including the original name of the city, language which was spoken by its citizens, or what kind of government was in place in the city. We do know, though, that it was, physically, very large and impressive. The city was built with broad avenues, big marketplaces, large plazas, palaces, and marketplaces. There was a main boulevard which went through the city, now known as the Street of the Dead. Along this street there were the majestic homes of the elite, the headquarters of the authorities of the state, many temples, as well as two giant pyramids. One pyramid was known as the Pyramid of the Sun, while the other was known as the Temple of the Feathered Serpent. It is believed by many people that the citizens of this Teotihuacan believed that the Pyramid of the Sun was the site of creation itself, birthplace of the sun and moon. In the Temple of Feathered Serpents archeologists have found the bones of 200 people who were apparently unwilling sacrificial victims that were forced to accompany the high ranking individuals that were buried there into the after life. The city also contained thousands of apartment complexes which were built of the main avenues in a gridlike pattern of streets. These apartments were home to the commoners that called this city home.
Besides all of these great buildings, the city also contained waterways, reservoirs, drainage systems, and many colorful murals. The buildings of the city were all decorated with these murals, as well as sculptures, and carvings. Most of these pieces of art work displayed abstract geometric and stylized images, while others portrayed gods and goddesses in many different forms, such as serpents, starfish, jaguars, flower, and warriors. The artwork found in Teotihuacan was not like that of the Mayan civilizations though because it did not contain many images of self adoring rulers and individuals. Many people believe that “the rulers of Teotihuacan might have intentionally avoided the personality cult of the dynastic art and writing” which was characteristic of the Maya. There are also many people that believe that the rulers of this great city may have been made up of a council of high ranking elites instead of a single monarch. Although the form of government of the city is not known it acknowledged by many historians that around the time 300-600 CE there was a region of about 10,000 square miles that was administered directly from the city, as well as other areas that likely provided tribute to the city.
Strayer, Robert W. Ways of the World: A Brief Global History. Boston: Bedford/ St. Martin's, 2009. Print.
Unlocking long-sealed cave may solve Mexican pyramid mystery. 2008. xenophilius.wordspress.com. Web. 21 Oct. 2009
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