Explain the cultural reason why the Aztec engaged in warfare.
A. to test the power of the Triple Alliance
B. to ensure they would be feared by local leaders
C. to spread their language Quechua to conquered people
D. to ensure a steady supply of people for sacrifice
D. to ensure a steady supply of people for sacrifice
The cultural reason for the Aztec engagement in warfare was primarily to ensure a steady supply of people for sacrifice. Sacrifice played a significant role in Aztec religion and cosmology. They believed that their deities required constant nourishment in the form of human blood, and sacrifices were seen as a way to sustain the balance of the cosmos.
The Aztecs believed that by offering captured enemies as sacrifices to their gods, they could ensure the sun would continue to rise and set, crops would grow, and general well-being would be maintained. This practice served as a means of appeasing their deities and maintaining favorable conditions for their civilization.
Engaging in warfare was crucial for the Aztecs as it provided them with captives to be sacrificed. These captives were often taken from neighboring territories and tribes, resulting in a cycle of ongoing conflict. It was through warfare and the capture of prisoners that the Aztecs were able to obtain the necessary individuals for human sacrifice.
While there may have been other reasons for Aztec engagement in warfare, such as territorial expansion or establishing dominance over neighboring communities, the primary cultural motivation behind their military actions was to ensure a continuous supply of individuals for sacrifice.