Message #223840

[Montezuma]

The Aztecs built their empire from tribute, conquest, acquisition, warfare and blood sacrifices (**** 1996: online), although they did create three worthy allies and form a triple alliance with their neighbouring cities Texcoco and Tlacopan (McIntosh & Twist 2003: 221; Tompkins 1990: 106).  However, not all of their conquered neighbours or landholders were happy with the Aztec's thirst for blood sacrifice or the constant requests for tribute that the Aztecs demanded of them (McIntosh & Twist 2003: 221).   

 The Aztec's were a violent people whom practised human sacrifice and cannibalism (Tompkins 1990: 190).  They were also highly ritualistic people who appeared to have had a fatalistic behaviour or view towards life (Tompkins 1990: 130).  The Aztecs lifestyles were governed by a need to supply fresh-blooded sacrificial victims to the sun god who required the sacrificial hearts of men to give life to the world and assist the souls of dead warriors to the Aztecs version of heaven (Tompkins 1990: 130; Townsend 2003: 117- 129; McIntosh & Twist 2003: 222).