Religious Practices: The Aztec performed elaborate public
ceremonies designed to communicate with the gods.
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Slide 4
At the elaborate ceremonies, priests made offerings to the
gods. The Aztec performed ritual dramas, songs, and dances. The
Aztecs had a calendar full of festivals which changed depending on
the god to be honored.
Slide 5
Sacrifices for the Sun God The most important rituals involved
a sun god, Huitzilopochtli. The Aztec believed that Huitzilopochtli
made the sun rise every day. The Aztec believed that when the sun
went down, Huitzilopochtli battled evil forces to make sure the sun
would rise again. The Aztec believed that the only way to feed this
god was through human blood.
Slide 6
Aztec priests sacrificed thousands of people to
Huitzilopochtli. They would cut out their beating hearts with
knives made out of obsidian. (the people they sacrificed were still
alive!)
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Sacrifices for the Sun God
Slide 7
The Aztecs would sacrifice enslaved people and prisoners of
war. The Aztec would make sure that they brought back prisoners
ALIVE. Sacrifices for the Sun God
Slide 8
Summary: Montezuma II took over the Aztec Empire and it grew
and grew. As it grew, Montezuma II demanded more and more tribute
and sacrifices. Soon it became too much and the people fought back.
Montezuma II decided to be easier on the people, but by then it was
too late. The empire soon fell The Fall of the Aztec Empire