When you think about Russia, a bear and a balalaika pop up in your head. If you remember Norway, the warlike Vikings will appear before your eyes. But as soon as you think about the Aztecs, the mood instantly deteriorates. The mere thought of mass sacrifices, burnings and skinning keeps me awake and sends goosebumps down my spine. What was it then like for the instigators of such events?
Sacrifices
Sacrifice was the main social institution of the ancient Aztecs. Only in this way, in their opinion, it was possible to propitiate the gods. Their fantasy in killing their own kind knows no bounds. Moreover, the victims themselves considered it an honor and were not particularly upset by the combination of circumstances. It's like now: people are ready for anything to gain popularity. Indeed, a huge crowd of people were going to watch the bloody ritual. The poor fellows probably even had time to wave to their acquaintances.
The whole "show" was on a stone pedestal. The participant approached, they laid him on the table, to the howl of the crowd they cut his chest and pulled out his still beating heart. All body parts sorted: heart tohearts, head to head. Moreover, the scale of sacrifices sometimes reached several thousand victims. Not surprisingly, this eventually became routine for the priests.
Cannibalism
The body parts were sorted for a reason. They were supposed to go to the dinner table. However, only the priests and leaders of the Mexican Indians were honored to try such a dish. In general, the protein was not wasted. The bodies were actively eaten, and various tools were made from the bones. It was only much later that Christians who arrived with surprised eyes offered them pork instead of human meat.
Such cannibalism, according to modern scientists, was limited only to rituals. The theory of the widespread practice of eating human meat does not find its actual confirmation.
Flaying
Equally intimidating is their passion for leather goods. Several captives were selected for the skinning ritual. For 40 days they were well fed, clothed and provided with female affection. Then the free cheese ended, and the mousetrap slammed shut. A whole day was allotted for peeling off the skin. Later priests wore human skin for a month after the sacrifice.
This was done for a special deity - Hipe. It was his attention that the leather-clad priests wanted to attract. Even the leader of the Mexican Indians could not get away from this duty, because he is no one before the almighty Gods. At least they believed it without any doubt.
Fierydancing
The most "hot" practice of Mexican Indians is dancing. In this they were very inventive. Draw a picture for yourself: the gentle sound of songs and flutes of Mexican Indians, a large fire around which merry people dance. And on their backs burning alive people. This little detail probably prevented such art from entering the rank of "folk".
Such dances were supposed to moderate the ardor of the god of fire. The still alive victims pulled out of the fire were killed only after the ritual. Their suffering and heartbreaking cries were supposed to attract the grace of the fiery deity. However, the Spanish conquistadors did not like such entertainment, and all participants in such rituals were put to death.
Child sacrifices
Children also contributed to the prosperity of the state. Bought from poor parents, they became victims of the rain god. Such sacrifices were carried out during periods of drought. Moreover, which is symbolic of the rain, the children had to cry on the way to the sacrificial altar. When the harvest was received, the dead bodies of children were sent for storage as relics.
It is worth saying that the most unscrupulous of parents managed to do "business" on this. They deliberately produced as many children as possible, with the aim of selling them to the priests. Of course, morals then were different, and they could not experience remorse comparable to today's morality. Society as a whole did not condemn such actions, and they were considered ordinary earnings. Let's not forget that sacrificing yourself was the noblest act.
Gladiator fights
Entertainment worthy of the Great Roman Empire has taken root well in the society of Mexican Indians. And in Rome, of course, such fights were not fair, but the Aztecs were on a completely different level of injustice. The captive was given a small shield and a club in his hands, and an Aztec in full uniform came out against him. And even if the first one was successful, help came running, leaving no chance for the victim. Needless to say, the purpose of such fights was rather to kill than to fight.
History, however, reveals a case of victory in such gladiator fights. The captive king of a hostile tribe of Mexican Indians was able to defeat six Aztec warriors with the help of a shield and a club. According to the rules of the duel, he was granted freedom. True, he refused her, preferring to die and go to a special paradise. This incident tells us a lot about the mentality of the Mexican Indians of that time.
What is the war for?
Many people were required for such mass sacrifices. If you use only your own citizens, then the population will quickly dry up. For the sake of replenishing the human stock, wars were started. In addition to the usual battles, where soldiers participated, the purpose of which was precisely to capture prisoners, there were peculiar "fun" battles. Two armies converged with each other and fought without weapons, on their fists. Everyone's goal is to take as many prisoners as possible.
Kin a word, the number of captives held by the Mexican Indians then is the same as the amount of money a person has now. The more - the higher the authority. Therefore, everyone aspired to become a "successful person", to receive universal respect.
The show must not go on
Such things seem incredibly wild to us now, but let's keep in mind the peculiarities of that society. These were not civilized people, these were tribes that tried to appear as a state. They had their own special world in which they lived. They were good at "playing war games" among themselves, but they could not do anything with their million-strong army against the few conquerors.
On top of everything else, it was only about the upper class, which simply did not know how to occupy themselves, and used unlimited power for such frightening rituals. Ordinary people were described as very hospitable and good-natured. The history of this civilization has its own achievements and features. So, marveling at cruelty, you should not judge them by the worst representatives. And, of course, the history of such a distant and isolated tribe always carries some exaggeration.
