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Were the Aztecs a peaceful civilization or were they constantly at war with neighboring groups?

Lashunda Stooke

The Aztecs were a fascinating civilization that emerged in Mesoamerica in the 14th century. They ruled a vast empire that stretched from the Pacific coast to the Gulf of Mexico, and their capital, Tenochtitlan, was one of the largest cities in the world at its height. However, the question of whether they were a peaceful civilization or constantly at war with their neighbors is a complex one, and the answer depends on how you define "peaceful" and "warlike."

On one hand, the Aztecs did engage in a significant amount of warfare during their time. They were a highly militarized society, and much of their economy and society was organized around the pursuit of warfare. The Aztecs believed that they had a divine mandate to conquer and subjugate their neighbors, and they launched numerous military campaigns to expand their territory and capture prisoners for sacrificial rituals. These campaigns were often brutal and involved large-scale battles and sieges, and many of the Aztecs' enemies were left devastated by their conquests. In this sense, it could be argued that the Aztecs were a warlike civilization, constantly seeking to expand their power through violence.

However, it is also important to note that the Aztecs were not constantly at war with their neighbors. They did have periods of peace and diplomacy, and they engaged in trade and cultural exchange with other groups in the region. The Aztecs were skilled diplomats and negotiators, and they often formed alliances with neighboring civilizations to strengthen their position. They also had a complex system of tribute and tribute collection, which allowed them to maintain control over their neighbors without resorting to constant warfare. In this sense, it could be argued that the Aztecs were a peaceful civilization, at least in the sense that they were able to maintain a degree of stability and order without relying solely on military force.

Ultimately, the question of whether the Aztecs were a peaceful or warlike civilization is a difficult one to answer definitively. While they certainly engaged in a significant amount of warfare during their time, they also had periods of peace and diplomacy, and they were able to maintain control over their empire through a variety of methods. Perhaps the most accurate answer is that the Aztecs were a complex and multifaceted civilization, and their approach to war and peace was just one aspect of their culture. Regardless of how we choose to categorize them, however, there is no denying the lasting impact that the Aztecs had on the history of Mesoamerica and the world at large.