Human Sacrifice In Aztec Culture

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Aztecs were a mesoamerican culture that flourished throughout central mexico in the post classical period from 1300 to 1521. They were known for their agriculture, architecture and religious practices. They were also known for their advanced practices, and their complex social hierarchy and had a highly militaristic society. The aztecs were conquered by the spanish in the 16th century which led to a downfall of their civilization, however, many aspects of aztec culture continue to influence mexican culture The Aztecs built their capital city, tenochtitlan, on an island in the middle of a lake. They developed a system of canals and causeways to connect the city to the mainland. They also created impressive pyramids and other structures, many which still stand today. The Aztecs provided human sacrifice …show more content…

Human sacrifice was a way for the Aztecs to honor their Gods and ensure that the sun continued to rise each day. Sacrifices were performed on a regular day basis, often in large numbers and involved the removal of the heart from a living victim. The practice was deeply ingrained in Aztec society and it believed that the Gods required human blood in order to maintain the natural order of the universe. While human sacrifice is often viewed as a barbaric practice, it's important to understand that it had a different meaning for the aztecs, who saw it as a necessary part of their religious beliefs. When hernan cortes and his men arrived in the aztec capital of tenochtitlan in 1521, they reported seeing a gruesome ritual in which aztec priests used razor-sharp obsidian blades to cut open the chest of sacrificial victims and offer their still beating hearts to the gods. The victims' bodies were then thrown down the steps of the towering Templo

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