How Did Religion Shape The Aztec Civilization

During its height in 1519, the Aztec Empire stretched from the Pacific Ocean to the Gulf coast and from central Mexico to present-day Guatemala. The Aztec capital of Tenochtitlan became a mighty metropolis with its advanced technological innovations. New technologies such as Chinampas or “floating gardens” for growing crops, aqueducts carrying fresh water, transportation canal systems, great causeways, large temples and buildings, and a coordinated administration allowed Tenochtitlan to flourish and rival European cities of the time. Aztec society was defined by social stratification which placed a king or high priest above society. Following the upper class, councils, nobles/warriors, merchants and artisans, and commoners (farmers and slaves) formed the Aztec civilization. …show more content…
Kings and high priests controlled and dictated the life of the commoners under Aztec rule, and often used religion as their tool for ruling and pleasing their gods. To hold on to power, the Mexica formed a triple-alliance with two powerful neighboring tribes. Outside of the Aztec empire, various natives were conquered and forced to oblige to a tributary system. Furthermore, some natives were captured as slaves and sacrificed to the mighty Aztec gods. The tributary system and constant sacrifices resulted in extreme hatred and anti-empire sentiments from subjects of the empire. Thus, hostile feelings from outside native subjects against the rulers of Tenochtitlán, along with weak, misguided leadership, technological disadvantages, and spread of diseases allowed the Spanish to conquer the Aztec Empire in