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What role did human sacrifice play in Aztec society and government?

Lily MacTrustrie

Well, from what I know, human sacrifice was pretty essential to the Aztec civilization. It played a critical role in both Aztec society and government. Firstly, it was believed that human sacrifice helped sustain the universe and appease the gods. The Aztecs believed that the gods, especially the sun god Huitzilopochtli, required human blood to keep them happy and maintain their strength. Human sacrifice was therefore necessary to ensure that the gods kept favoring the Aztecs and didn't unleash chaos and destruction.

Secondly, human sacrifice was also used to consolidate political power and maintain social order. The Aztec Emperor was seen as the high priest of the gods, and human sacrifice was one way to demonstrate his power and authority over his subjects. Sacrificing captured enemies to the gods was seen as a way of commemorating victories in war and consolidating power.

But while human sacrifice played a crucial role in Aztec society, it wasn't necessarily accepted by everyone. Some people within Aztec society were opposed to the practice, such as the Tlaxcaltecas, who eventually allied with the Spaniards to overthrow the Aztecs.

Overall, while human sacrifice was a controversial and gruesome practice, it was an essential aspect of Aztec life and played a critical role in maintaining the Aztec civilization for centuries.