Show:
How it was Done?
Why it was done?
Cultural Impact
Religious Significance
How YOU play a role
100
What parts of the body were usually removed or taken during a sacrifice?
Blood or heart
100
Give one reason why human sacrifice was practiced
agriculture/irriation, comunication with deities, pleasing the gods, to keep the sun rising
100
What was a common reason for warfare?
flowery wars, for tribute
100
What role did the priest play in the sacrifice?
He cut out the hearts of the sacrifices and rolled their dead bodies down the stairs of the temple.
100
Why were the Aztecs constantly expanding?
Through expansion we gained tribute for sacrifice. Also, we liked tribute.
200
What tool was used to perform the sacrifice?
Obsidian knife
200
What did the Aztec people believe was the connection between the sun and human sacrifice?
They believed that the sun needed blood to fight darkness and rise across the sky.
200
Did the Aztecs assimilate to conquered peoples' ways, or assert their own culture? And why did they do what they did?
The Aztecs assimilated to the culture of conquered peoples to a degree. They adopted minor gods and sometimes allowed for outside culture and ideas to enter into Aztec culture. For the most part, though, they kept their own traditions, especially the belief that their gods, like Huitzilopochtli, were supreme. They did allow for conquered people, if they paid tribute and acknowledged Aztec rule, to keep their culture. This way, peace was kept and the Aztecs could rule over a constantly growing territory.
200
How did the gods' needs play a role in human sacrifice?
The gods needed blood to win the battle against darkness. Also, it was believed that sacrificed people would rise to fight with the gods. So sacrifice was intended to serve the gods.
200
Who was sacrificed?
Almost anyone. Men and women of all ages were sacrificed.
300
What does the complexity of the Aztec human sacrifices tell you about how much they value the practice?
People feared what would happen if the sacrifices were not carried out, or if they were unpleasing to the gods. Therefore, people felt that sacrifices were of the utmost importance, so they were willing to allow for rituals to last for hours sometimes even days. Additionally, they did not complain or challenge rituals when they demanded so many people and actually considered it an honor to be sacrificed to the gods.
300
Do you think most Aztec commoners approved of human sacrifice?
Most people did approve of sacrifice because they believed their blood would help the sun rise and it would also help their agriculture. People were willing to die because sacrifices were promised eternal life with the gods. They were also told that it was essential to the welfare of society.
300
Explain the Aztec beliefs about life and death
The Aztecs believed that they had to feed the gods through sacrifice in order to be fed, and that in order for new things to form death must occur first.
300
How did this ritual connect people to the gods?
Once they were sacrificed they went to the afterlife where they were united with and helped the gods. Additionally, the gods, if the ritual pleased them, would not destroy the earth and allow for the people to prosper.
300
You are a prisoner of war, and by the end of this game your fate will be decided. What fates can befall a captive of war and why? How can your behavior determine your fate?
The Aztecs use prisoners as slaves, tribute-payers, or sacrifices. Sacrifices are obtained in flowery wars, and are given to the gods in order to prevent drought, famine, and disease and to ensure that the sun rises and the Aztecs continue their success. If you surrender peacefully the Aztecs are likely to treat you better. However, that is not always the case and you can still be considered a captive of war. However, most who surrender peacefully are rewarded with the ability to rule themselves (under the Aztec emperor) as long as they pay tribute and remain peaceful.
400
Is it necessary to perform such an elaborate ritual if ultimately the person is just going to end up dead? Support your answer.
The main purpose of sacrifice rituals was to please the gods, and every part of the ceremony was significant in some way, so yes it was necessary.
400
Explain when it is more appropriate to give sacrifice to the gods? Should there be more sacrifice in good times or in bad times? Justify your answer to the king
One view is that you should thank the gods for times of prosperity but it is common to find more sacrifice in troubled times as people are desperate to seek favor of the gods. (But it is really the king's decision)
400
Congratulations!! You have been selected to take part in today's human sacrifice ritual!
See the Priest to claim your prize
400
Religion played a major role in shaping the Aztec civilization. How do you think the Aztec civilization would have differed if they had never developed a religion?
The Aztec civilization would have differed in that there would no longer be a need to sacrifice huge quantities of humans in order to attempt to please some greater force. The need to constantly expand would also diminish as there wouldn’t be a constant need for more sacrifices. It’s hard to even fathom this kind of dramatic change since so much of the Aztec’s society was centered on their religion. Perhaps their civilization would have been more centered on politics and the position of a bureaucrat would have been more valued than that of a priest. (Answers may differ based on the kings opinion)
400
Do you think it is possible to convince the king to stop human sacrifice, why or why not?
Convincing the king to change his ways would be difficult because sacrifice is an essential part of Aztec culture, regional kings have even waged flower wars against each other simply to gain prisoners for capture.
500
Analyze the process of human sacrifice. On a scale of 1-10, what would you rate the complexity of it and why?
At least a 7. There are specific guidelines for the ritual. The priest must fast before the ceremony, there is a specific tool used and part of the body that was removed. Explain your reasoning to the king.
500
If the Aztecs were somehow given modern technology and present knowledge of the way weather works etc do you think they still continue their traditional practice of human sacrifice or do you think they would completely abandon their beliefs? Explain why.
(they would have lasers.) Even with modern technology the king feels that human sacrifice would still continue because it has deeper significance and roots in Aztec culture. It is a significant part of Aztec religious practice, not just a ritual to help agriculture.
500
If the Europeans had never arrived and the Aztecs had continued to exist would they have been able to prosper or would human sacrifice eventually lead to their downfall?
Refer to the king.
500
In most ancient societies the priest has held a high role in society, analyze the position of the priest in Aztec society. Is it more or less important than that of European religious leaders at this time, and why?
The king will judge your answer.
500
You are a European explorer coming in contact with our civilization for the first time, how would you attempt to influence us? Explain your stance using historical evidence. (If your answer displeases me I might have to sacrifice you.)
Refer to the King, and if king has passed see high priest, but if king killed high priest and king then died, see mighty warrior.