Aztec History

1 Pages 362 Words

Since the Aztec city of Tenochtitlan had not many building materials like wood or stone, the Aztecs conquered other people and obtained prisoners to sacrifice as part of their religion. An Aztec soldier was not more popular if he killed many enemies in battle but if he captured prisoners. The Aztecs believed strongly in their religion and that was their goal in life. They prayed to more than 1’600 different gods, each having different roles for the world. The Aztecs believed that the gods were always watching over the earth and controlled the environment and life; like disease, crop growth the rain and the sun, they strongly believed in keeping the gods in their favour so they made sacrificial rituals. Idols of these many gods were worshipped at home in shrines as well as huge ceremonies being performed on huge stone pyramids. These ancient rituals included singing, dancing, drama and feasts as well as the offerings to the gods. The Aztecs thought that the gods had given their own blood to make life on earth, so the people believed that for help and protection they offered human blood and hearts.


(Picture above right: Symbols of Mexico) www.pbs.org…venture1/pop-eaglesign.htm and picture above left www.fix.net/~cruz/mexico.html)
The captives would be taken to the top of the highest pyramids and priest wearing bright coloured feather capes would stretch the prisoner’s body on a stone platform and cut his heart out with a flint knife; offering the still beating heart to the gods and the corpses would be thrown off the pyramid. The arms and legs of the victim would be given to the captor as a reward and their skulls would be posted on stakes.

Above is the symbol of Mexico. While the ancient Aztecs were still nomads and living in swampy areas the priests received a vision from the gods. In this vision, the Aztec god, Huitzilopochtli, told them to look for a place to settle where they saw an eagle perched on a cactus, eatin...