The Role Of Sacrifice In The Aztecs

Decent Essays
When the Spaniards first arrived in 1519, the Indigenous people of Mexico perceived and saw the strange men as powerful gods, or “deities”. Their king, Motecuhzoma, wanted to show his adoration for the new found gods by bringing them their finest gifts, and to the extent of his gratitude, he sacrificed his own men for them. However, the Spaniards saw their sacrifices as barbaric acts and mocked the gifts that were given to them. Out of showing their gratitude to the ‘gods’, the people employed gift-giving and sacrifices to keep the peace between the two races and to welcome their arrival. The disgust that the Spaniards had for the sacrifices the Aztecs performed, shows the culture shock between the two societies. The Spaniards had

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