Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

Zapotec Civilization: A Captivating Guide to the Pre-Columbian Cloud People Who Dominated the Valley of Oaxaca in Mesoamerica

Rate this book
Explore the Captivating History of the Zapotec CivilizationFree History BONUS Inside! The Zapotecs lived and thrived, and became a civilization of interest to the Conquistadors. As one of the largest Mesoamerican civilizations at the time, they helped to shape and form the world the Conquistadors encountered upon their arrival. Rivaling the size and complexity of their Mayan neighbors, the Zapotec were innovators and intellectuals who created a society that was markedly similar to the kingdoms and social structures. The Zapotecs were a fascinating people and this book aims to give a fresh look and understanding to a civilization that was just as complex, structured, and regal as any of their Mesoamerican, South American, or European counterparts.Some of the topics covered in this book Cloud People and their DomainThe Oaxaca ValleyUnderstanding the Zapotecs and Founding of Monte Albán in PhasesEarly Agrarian Roots and the Building of a CivilizationReligion, Myths, Sacrifices, Rituals, and PowerThe Royal Family and ClassThe Religious OrderA Day in the Life of the ZapotecsThe Arts, Athletics, and TechnologyThe War against the AztecsThe Conquistadors’ ArrivalThe Fall of an EmpireAnd a Great Deal More You Don't Want to Miss Out On!Scroll to the top and download the book now for instant access!

78 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 20, 2018

70 people are currently reading
135 people want to read

About the author

Captivating History

1,579 books260 followers

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
27 (39%)
4 stars
21 (30%)
3 stars
16 (23%)
2 stars
2 (2%)
1 star
3 (4%)
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
Profile Image for Bonnie Dale Keck.
4,677 reviews58 followers
March 22, 2018
kindle unlimited but got it on a freebie day, always interested to see what's next in these {and yes have read all the ones listed at end}

Explore the Captivating History of the Zapotec Civilization
Free History BONUS Inside!
The Zapotecs lived and thrived, and became a civilization of interest to the Conquistadors. As one of the largest Mesoamerican civilizations at the time, they helped to shape and form the world the Conquistadors encountered upon their arrival. Rivaling the size and complexity of their Mayan neighbors, the Zapotec were innovators and intellectuals who created a society that was markedly similar to the kingdoms and social structures.

The Zapotecs were a fascinating people and this book aims to give a fresh look and understanding to a civilization that was just as complex, structured, and regal as any of their Mesoamerican, South American, or European counterparts.

Some of the topics covered in this book include:

The Cloud People and their Domain
The Oaxaca Valley
Understanding the Zapotecs and Founding of Monte Albán in Phases
Early Agrarian Roots and the Building of a Civilization
Religion, Myths, Sacrifices, Rituals, and Power
The Royal Family and Class
The Religious Order
A Day in the Life of the Zapotecs
The Arts, Athletics, and Technology
The War against the Aztecs
The Conquistadors’ Arrival
The Fall of an Empire
And a Great Deal More

Nikola Tesla: A Captivating Guide to the Life of a Genius Inventor
The Culper Ring: A Captivating Guide to George Washington's Spy Ring and its Impact on the American Revolution
Alexander Hamilton: A Captivating Guide to one of the Founding Fathers of the United States of America
Aaron Burr: A Captivaing Guide to the Life of Aaron Burr and the Most Famous Duel in American History
The Duel: A Captivating Guide to the Lives of Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr

World War 2: A Captivating Guide from Beginning to End (The Second World War and D Day Book 1)
D Day: A Captivating Guide to the Battle for Normandy (The Second World War and D Day Book 2)
The Second World War: A Captivating Guide to World War II and D Day
Winston Churchill: A Captivating Guide to the Life of Winston S. Churchill
Franklin Roosevelt: A Captivating Guide to the Life of FDR
Churchill and Roosevelt: A Captivating Guide to the Life of Franklin and Winston
Adolf Hitler: A Captivating Guide to the Life of the Führer of Nazi Germany
Korean War: A Captivating Guide to the Korean War History
Vietnam War: A Captivating Guide to the Second Indochina War
Cold War: A Captivating Guide to the Korean War and Vietnam War
Jackie Kennedy: A Captivating Guide to the Life of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis
John Kennedy: A Captivating Guide to the Life of JFK
Kennedy: A Captivating Guide to the Life of John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Lee Kennedy Onassis

World History: Captivating Stories of Events That Shaped Our Planet (Forgotten History, History of the World, History Books)
African American History: A Captivating Guide to the People and Events that Shaped the History of the United States
Haitian Revolution: A Captivating Guide to the Abolition of Slavery
Black History: A Captivating Guide to African American History and the Haitian Revolution
Mao Zedong: A Captivating Guide to the Life of a Chairman of the Communist Party of China, the Cultural Revolution and the Political Theory of Maoism

Maya Civilization: A Captivating Guide to Maya History and Maya Mythology (Mayan Civilization, Aztecs and Incas Book 1)
Aztec: A Captivating Guide to Aztec History and the Triple Alliance of Tenochtitlan, Tetzcoco, and Tlacopan (Mayan Civilization, Aztecs and Incas Book 2)
Ancient Civilizations: A Captivating Guide to Mayan History, the Aztecs, and Inca Empire
Zapotec Civilization: A Captivating Guide to the Pre-Columbian Cloud People Who Dominated the Valley of Oaxaca in Mesoamerica

Ancient Greece: A Captivating Guide to Greek History Starting from the Greek Dark Ages to the End of Antiquity

Roman Mythology: A Captivating Guide to Roman Gods, Goddesses, and Mythological Creatures (Classical Mythology)
Celtic Mythology: A Captivating Guide to the Gods, Sagas and Beliefs
Norse Mythology: Captivating Stories of the Gods, Sagas and Heroes (Norse Mythology - Egyptian Mythology - Greek Mythology Book 1)
Egyptian Mythology: Captivating Stories of the Gods, Goddesses, Monsters and Mortals (Norse Mythology - Egyptian Mythology - Greek Mythology Book 2)
Greek Mythology: A Captivating Guide to the Ancient Gods, Goddesses, Heroes, and Monsters (Norse Mythology - Egyptian Mythology - Greek Mythology Book 3)
Mythology: A Captivating Guide to Greek Mythology, Egyptian Mythology, and Norse Mythology (Norse Mythology - Egyptian Mythology - Greek Mythology Book 4
Greek Mythology: A Fascinating Guide to Understanding the Ancient Greek Religion with Its Gods, Goddesses, Monsters and Mortals (Greek Mythology - Norse Mythology - Egyptian Mythology Book 1)
Norse Mythology: A Fascinating Guide to Understanding the Sagas, Gods, Heroes, and Beliefs of the Vikings (Greek Mythology - Norse Mythology - Egyptian Mythology Book 2)
Egyptian Mythology: A Fascinating Guide to Understanding the Gods, Goddesses, Monsters, and Mortals (Greek Mythology - Norse Mythology - Egyptian Mythology Book 3
6,202 reviews41 followers
October 17, 2018
Another of the cultures in Mesoamerica but without the massive structures and temples of some other cultures. They are also a culture that the Spanish conquerors wrote about. They formed into a culture around 2500 years ago.

They had a belief that they descended from the clouds. (Could this be some kind of UFO-related event? Unknown.) They believed that everything that moved had a spirit which is not unlike a belief some Japanese have.

Their culture expanded through politics and marriage with a little less emphasis on expanding through war. They also developed a hieroglyphic-type writing system. They were known for their delicate jewelry and their pottery. Their main crop was corn.

The Aztecs and the Conquistadors pretty much put an end to their civilization.

They did have some negative traits, at least it seems so to me. They ate dogs, practiced human sacrifice (including children) and even engaged in cannibalism. Oh, yes. If you were not of the ruling class then no chocolate for you!
Profile Image for Mary.
176 reviews27 followers
November 6, 2021
Interesting and informative

I think the author did a very good job of explaining the Aspired civilization from its early times to its decline. I especially enjoyed learning about how the Zapotecs had different classes of citizens, but still gave people a chance to grow within their class. Information about their artisans was extremely interesting too. Many non fiction books are dry, like text books, but this book was not like that. It kept my interest from the beginning.
Profile Image for Jennifer Hilliger.
65 reviews
March 22, 2018
A great book about the Zapotec Civilization

I don't remember hearing about this civilization before now. I found this book to be fascinating. There are other more well-known Mesoamerican civilizations such as the Maya, Aztecs, and Incas but it seems as though the Zapotecs were more advanced than other civilizations of the time. Definitely, take the time to read about "The Cloud People."
Profile Image for Carolyn Sanders.
22 reviews2 followers
June 10, 2018
Interesting MesoAmerican Civilization

A well written tale of a group of people who disappeared shortly after the Conquistadores arrived. They were studied and remarked on for their abilities in language/writing and use of calendars as well as water control for their use. Very little is known about what happened to this large civilization.
206 reviews4 followers
May 2, 2018
Excellent read if you're a civilization history lover!

I've enjoyed a number of these books and they continue to be good reads. Informative and I've learned new things. Am always looking for the next one!
Profile Image for Gina Whitlock.
938 reviews62 followers
February 19, 2024
We are currently in Oaxaca, Mexico and my husband and I read this to prepare to visit Monte Alban, the great empire of the Zapotec civilization which lasted from 400 B.C. to 1521 A.D. They truly were a great Mesoamerican people.
Profile Image for Alan Lewis.
414 reviews23 followers
July 15, 2018
History, cultural anthropology, early Americas study. Areas of interest. Quick overview of the subject. Part of an expanding series with bite sized bits of history.
2 reviews3 followers
December 11, 2018
Interesting quick read. Good intro and interesting facts for would be author. Serious researching will need something much more.
2 reviews
Read
April 25, 2023
A nice summary of Zapotecan civilization

It's really hard to find books on the Zapotecans and this offers a short and readable intro to this fascinating civilization and culture.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.