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Warriors society: The Aztecs

Warfare and cults had great impact in shaping cultures and histories in almost every corner of the world. Mesoamerica was not an exception. This part of the world hosted many different cultures with various cults, religions and ideologies, as well as different types of warfare. Some things, however, almost every major group in the Valley of Mexico had in common. The most important is their constant struggle for resources, especially luxurious ones, since they were very limited, while being one of the most important markers of social status. The Aztecs, who rose to major power in the 14th and 15th century, were also determined by their lack of nutritional resources, as well as luxury ones. Situated on the island in Lake Texcoco, they had little choice but to rely on their strength and political manipulation to overcome their neighbours, establish imperial hegemony and gain access to natural resources. Apocalyptic cults and religion, which were a very important part of their culture, were used by Spanish conquerors to explain the nature of their warfare and to present Aztecs as bloodthirsty barbarians who were driven by their extreme religion to make massive human sacrifices just to please their demonic gods. Even though religion did play an important part in almost every part of Aztec culture, this explanation can only be partial and cannot form a clear picture of warfare for such a developed civilisation. Warfare, rituals and political control were complex and inseparable fundamental parts of their empire, culture and even everyday life.

The Aztecs; Warfare; Political control; Human sacrifice and rituals

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