The bloodiest culture in history. The Aztec Religion The bloodiest culture in history.

Tenochtitlan One of the main cultural centers for the Aztec civilization. Said to be consecrated by both Tlaloc and Huitzilopochtli. All religious ceremonies were directed on the main temples.

Tenochtitlan Temple Pyramid

The Gods Huitzilopochtli Tezcatlipoca Quetzalcoatl Tlaloc There are actually hundreds of gods associated with the Aztecs. These are the most prominent. Also called the Creator gods.

Huitzilopochtli Also called the “Hummingbird Wizard” War and Sun God Main God of the Aztecs Conquered warriors were sacrificed to him yearly. As many as 20,000 a year may have been killed.

Tezcatlipoca Also called “Smoking Mirror” God of Night and all material things.

Quetzalcoatl “The Plumed Serpent” The god of civilization, priesthood and learning.

Tlaloc The Rain God Children were drowned as sacrifices to him. Main agricultural god.

Sacrifice Sacrifice was an important part of the religion. Every god was sacrificed to. Some only required blood letting. Others required human sacrifices of varying numbers. Numbers of people sacrificed could get into the thousands and many of those sacrificed were also cooked and eaten once they had been rolled down the steps of the temple.

Skull Rack

Chacmool Ritual statue used to hold blood during sacrifices This one was found in Tenochtitlan. Sacrifices blood was drained into bowl and then left there.

Aztec Calendar Each day controlled by two gods. One good one bad. Had a ritual year and a solar year. Ritual year had 260 days Solar year had 365 days The calendars would synchronize together in 52 year cycles. Aztecs believed the world could end every 52 years so they had elaborate ceremonies at the end of each 52 years to mourn the death of the world.