Aztec - mysterious many civilizations

More than 20,000 people are sacrificed every year but Aztec is focused on universal education for children.

Aztec is a name for certain ethnic groups in central Mexico, especially those who speak Nahuatl. The Aztecs dominated much of Central America from the 14th to 16th centuries, forming one of the great civilizations of humanity.

They leave humanity with many interesting things and many mysteries.

The capital of Tenochtitlan of the Aztecs.

The whole nation is mistaken "birth"

The European "Aztec" for this nation refers to the city of Aztlan in northern Mexico, where the Aztecs lived in the 20th century.

However, the group of people now called Aztec often claim to be Mexica. This is also the origin of the name Mexico.

Polygamy but only married once

Like many ancient civilizations, the Aztec civilization followed polygamy. Accordingly, the Aztec man may have many wives at the same time but only his first wife is celebrated.

Like some other societies, the Aztecs believe that the more wives men have, the higher their status and power in society.

Choose the capital thanks to . eagle!

Pictures of the Mexican flag - (Photo: Wiki Commons).

According to an ancient prophecy, the Aztec capital will be the place where an eagle bird perches on a cactus. Since then, ancient Aztecs have been searching everywhere for this phenomenon.

Eventually, the eagles parked on the cactus also appear, but ironically, this is a small land between Lake Texcoco. It was the capital of Tenochtitlan of the Aztecs.

Since ancient times, the Aztecs were often called Tenochca so they named the capital Tenochtitlan.

Today, the flag of Mexico still holds the image of this ancient symbol.

Universal education from over 500 years ago

Education is highly focused by the Aztecs.

Aztec is one of the first civilizations to implement universal education for children of all classes from nobility to civilians, even slaves.

Students are taught huehuetlatolli, a huge collection of Mexica's lore lessons and lessons about how to behave in contemporary society.

However, there is a distinction in education. Specifically, young men of the aristocracy will be focused on teaching history, astronomy, art and management methods.

Young men of the lower class will be educated to become soldiers serving in the military. And women will be taught home economics.

 

Ullamaliztli play circle - (Photo: Flickr).

Aztecs are famous for Ullamaliztli sport games.

Simple rules, each team of 2-5 people must bring a ball through a fixed circle, almost like today's basketball.

Specifying that the ball should not touch the ground, the player must not touch the ball on the head, elbow, knee and hip.

There is evidence that the captain is often beheaded if his team loses.

Buried right under the house

The Aztecs had the custom of burying the dead just below the house. For people of great caliber in society, the Aztecs often cremated because they conceived that cremation was the fastest way to heaven.

Not only that, they also killed a dog and buried it or cremated it with the deceased. They do so because of the notion that the dog will guide the lost person to the afterlife.

Never seen horses

Before the Spaniards came to the Aztecs, horses were not present in the Americas. Some Aztecs mistakenly thought that the Spanish cavalry was a monster.

More sick than death

Most Aztecs died due to illness.

Europeans brought horses and spears to America to invade the Aztec territory, but Europeans were also fiercely opposed.

The most powerful weapon that Spaniards have used is the pathogen . Historians estimate that 20 million Aztecs have died from diseases such as mumps, measles, and smallpox in just five years since the Spanish brought the disease.

20,000 people suffer each year

Living is an important part of the culture of the Aztecs.

According to anthropologists, about 20,000 people are sacrificed every year to offer sacrifices to the gods as well as to ask for protection.

In the Aztec beliefs, the solar eclipse occurred when the Sun was exhausted to survive, now they had to hold a sacrifice to pray to the gods. After the ritual is completed, the sacrificed victims will become meals of people in the tribe.

People who are about to be "eaten" are fed a hallucinogenic mushroom or drink an alcohol made from fermented cactus water to no longer feel what is going to happen.

Anthropologist Michael Harner (USA) makes an interesting assumption, that is because the diet lacks animal protein so the Aztecs view human flesh as a nutritious dish they always crave.
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