The Great Aztec Civilization

Innledning
In the early days, a group of settlers were on a quest to find a suitable place to establish their settlement. They referred to themselves as Mexica and had their own unique gods and customs.

However, the elaborate rituals they performed were too overwhelming for their hosts, resulting in their constant relocation from one host to another over several decades.

Eventually, the Mexica formed a strong alliance that proved to be a formidable force, leading to the defeat of their rivals and the birth of the Aztec Civilization as we know it today.

Innholdsfortegnelse
Introduction and Aztec Origin
Aztec Rise
Spanish conquest and Aztec fall
Aztec Society
Aztec Sacrificing and Aztec civilization today
Aztec Mythology and Epilogue
Sources
Dedicated Picture

Utdrag
Aztec society:
During the time of the Aztecs, there was a stark contrast between Aztec slaves and the slaves commonly found in Europe.

Aztec slaves enjoyed a greater degree of freedom, being allowed to own personal possessions, and even other slaves. Unlike in Europe where slavery was hereditary and strictly enforced, slavery in Aztec society was not a legacy system.

If a slave had a child, that child would be born free. Furthermore, slaves had the opportunity to purchase their freedom, and mistreated slaves were immediately granted freedom. Those who preferred to do so could even sell themselves into slavery.

One of the most remarkable aspects of the Aztec civilization was its mandatory school system, which was open to all regardless of social status or gender.

While parents were responsible for teaching their children before the age of 15, schooling became mandatory thereafter. There were two main types of schools: the telpochcalli and the calmecac.

The telpochcalli was primarily focused on teaching combat skills, but also covered subjects such as history, religion, and trade or craft skills. Some students were selected to join the army based on their exceptional mastery of combat skills, but most returned home after completing their education.

The Calmecac school in the Aztec civilization focused on teaching more scientific and intellectual professions, such as priesthood, healing, writing, ritual practices, history, and artistry.

They also trained individuals to become teachers, but unlike the Telpochcalli school, they did not place as much emphasis on combat skills.

Surprisingly, cannibalism was not considered taboo in Aztec society. On the contrary, it was viewed as a delicacy, and the flesh of sacrificial victims was often consumed.

Aztec sacrificing:
Following battles, the Aztecs would take as many captives as possible and transport them to the Aztec Great Pyramid (depicted in the picture below) for the purposes of sacrifice.

According to Aztec belief, the sacrificial victims were meant to go to the pyramid voluntarily as a way of appeasing the gods. However, the use of mind-altering drugs was not part of this ritual and could have potentially affected the victims' ability to make sound judgments.