The Aztec civilization primarily rivaled which other civilization in terms of sophistication?

The Aztec civilization primarily rivaled the Mayans in terms of sophistication. While both cultures developed complex societies with advanced agricultural techniques, architectural achievements, and rich religious traditions, their interactions and proximity also contribute to this rivalry. The Aztecs, who flourished in central Mexico between the 14th and 16th centuries, were influenced by the earlier Mayan civilization that thrived in present-day southern Mexico and Central America.

The Aztecs adopted various elements from the Mayans, including calendrical systems, mathematics, and possibly aspects of their writing. However, while the Greeks and Romans developed renowned advancements in philosophy, governance, and engineering, they were not contemporaneous with the Aztecs and thus had a different cultural and geographical context. The Incas, residing in South America, had their own unique achievements and rivalries but did not directly conflict with the Aztecs at the same level of sophistication or influence. Therefore, the appropriate comparison for sophistication in the context of the Aztecs is with the Mayans, who laid much of the groundwork for Mesoamerican civilization.