How did urban life in the Classic period of Mesoamerica compare with that of Europe north of the Alps during the same period?

Answer 1

Mesoamericans and North Europeans had similar social hierarchies and political structures in the Dark Ages (Mesoamerica's Classic period!) and in fact life at the bottom or top of the heap was rather similar in both societies, except that at this stage, northern Europe had fairly small urban centres, whereas Mesoamerica had some very large cities - Teotihuacan, Tikal... Moreover, Mesoamerican cities were well-organized in terms of urban planning, sanitation, civic engineering etc. In both cultures, there were forms of writing and massive religious monuments, and in both cases literacy was mostly the realm of the elite. Diet in urban Mesoamerica was probably better than north Europe, due to the tropic environment and the cultivation of a vast range of fruits, vegetables and grains even within the cities (particularly in the Mayan region).

Answer 2

Urban life in the Classic period of Mesoamerica was characterized by large ceremonial centers, densely populated cities, and complex social hierarchies centered around powerful rulers. In contrast, urban life north of the Alps in Europe during the same period was characterized by smaller, less centralized settlements, with a more dispersed population and a less hierarchical social structure. Additionally, the economy and political organization in Mesoamerican cities were typically more centralized compared to the more fragmented political landscape of Europe.