The Aztecs
The religion of the Aztecs was a dynamic factor that transformed other aspects of the culture. The state religion of the Aztecs gave them powerful advantages over other groups in central Mexico, and encouraged them to capture vast territories in a very short amount of time. War was seen as a religious duty, were the people would honor their gods, gain prestige, and acquire wealth. Constant warfare was required for two reasons: to meet god’s needs for human sacrifice, and acquire warriors for the next phase of imperial expansion. The Aztecs worshipped many deities, many being gods or goddesses with some having dual natures. However, with as many deities as they worshipped the real conflict was between order and disorder. Disorder was associated with uncleanliness or filth; while order was associated with cleanliness. The sun was thought to be the source of all life, and had to be kept moving in its orbit to protect the Aztecs …show more content…
The head of the family was both provider and warrior. All adult males participated in important decision making. By the early sixteenth century the Aztec society had changed and the warrior aristocracy exercised great authority. Governors and such were appointed by what type of war status they held. Every male could be a warrior and at the age of six many male children were donated by their families to become renowned soldiers. Women played important roles in the Aztec society. As baby boys were put into the warrior class the baby girls were put into the household roles. Women would weave and make sure the household was swept and free of contamination. Parents would select their children’s spouses, using neighborhood women as go-betweens. Marriage was represented as social maturity for both sexes, and pregnancy was an occasion for family and neighborhood feasts. Therefore, a successful birth resulted in celebrations lasting from ten to twenty