Aztec motives

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The Aztecs had several reasons behind their actions. One major motivation was their spiritual beliefs. They believed that human sacrifice was a way to appease their gods and maintain balance in the universe. The Aztecs thought that by sacrificing humans, they could ensure good harvests, protect themselves from natural disasters, and guarantee their own place in the afterlife. Another reason for human sacrifice was political power. The Aztec leaders believed that by offering up captives, they were demonstrating their strength and power to their people. This helped to maintain control over their subjects and reinforce their authority. Additionally, the Aztecs practiced a system of social hierarchy, where those at the top held more power than those below them. Human sacrifice was used as a way to solidify this hierarchy, with those at the bottom being sacrificed for the benefit of those above them. It's worth noting that human sacrifice was not unique to the Aztecs. Many ancient civilizations practiced similar rituals, including the Mayans and the Incas. However, the Aztecs took it to an extreme level, with estimates suggesting that they sacrificed between 20,000 to 50,000 people per year.