Ancient civilization
Human Sacrifice: Aztecs Created By: Klaudia Poprawska
Who Were The Aztecs?
● Originated as a nomadic tribe in northern Mexico. ● Appeared in Mesoamerica in the early 13th century. ● Well known for their capital city, Teotihuacan.
○ Most densely populated city in Mesoamerica. ○ Social stratification was present. ○ Layout of city was precise.
“The Fall of Tenochtitlan - Truly the End of the Aztec Empire?”. Ancient Origins, Ancient Origins, 22 May, 2014 https://www.ancient-origins.net/history-important-events/fall- tenochtitlan-truly-end-aztec-empire-005942.
The Importance of Religion
● Human sacrifice played a major role in many religions in Mesoamerica.
● Some believe that Aztecs were bloodthirsty beasts. ○ Act of skinning, decapitation, etc.
● Served as a means of ● honoring the Gods. “Aztec Human Sacrifice and Cannibalism”. Scroll.In. Scoll.In, 22 Jan. 2018, https://scroll.in/article/865784/could-a-germ- really-have-wiped-out-15-million-aztecs-as- scientists-have-claimed.
Who was sacrificed?
● Some individuals volunteered to be sacrificed. ○ They believed that it was an act of high honor.
● Prisoners captured during wars were also sacrificed. ● Children were sacrificed to honor Tlaloc, the god of rain,
water, and agriculture.
Poprawska, Klaudia. “Blood Bowl”. Photo taken at The Field Museum.
Cartwright, Mark. “Aztec Ceremonial Knife”. Ancient History Encyclopedia, Trustees of the British America, Ancient History Encyclopedia, 4 Feb. 2014, https://www.ancient.eu/image/2291/aztec-ceremonial-knife//.
Why Was Human Sacrifice Practiced?
● In order to ensure that the sun moved from east to west across the sky. (Huitzilopochtli, the god of the sun)
● Believed that it acted as a form of repayment to the Gods.
● It ensured prosperity and balance in the Aztec society.
Poprawska, Klaudia. “Blades Utilized in Human Sacrifice”. Photo taken at The Field Museum.
“Aztec Culture and Human Sacrifice”. History on the Net, HistoryOnTheNet, 2000, https://www.historyonthenet.com/az tec-culture-and-human-sacrifice.
Why Was Human Sacrifice Practiced? Cont.
● Hundreds, even thousands, of people were sacrificed. ● Other forms of sacrifice:
○ Bloodletting/Self-Harm ○ Creatures such as butterflies, snakes, and deer. ○ Burning of tobacco and incense.