Let's go back 600 years and take a look at the goings on of the Aztec Triple Alliance, a coalition of three Nahua city-states (Tenochtitlan, Texcoco, and Tlacopan) that ruled the Valley of Mexico. Before the Spanish conquistadores and their native allies overthrew the alliance, they were the reigning forces over the entire population of what is now the Federal District State of Mexico and Mexico City. Rulers representing the city-states never seemed to last very long, but at the time of the Flower Wars they were Itzcoatl, Tlacaelel and Huexotzinco.
Aztec society was very focused on the spiritual beliefs of the time. Every meal, every activity, every life event was believed to occur or be carried out for a specific religious reason. Shortly after the formation of the Triple Alliance, two of the "Emperors" instigated sweeping imperial reforms. Academic and religious books were burned, and in fact Tlacaelel took it upon himself to rewrite the history of the Aztec people. Not surprisingly, this particular king fashioned the new history of the Aztec in a light that portrayed his own ancestral tribes as much more prominent than the others. The changes resulted in a sudden personnel change on one throne, Itzcoatl died and was replaced by his nephew Motecuzoma.
The change in monarch meant more reforms and much more brutal demands from the people. Uncooperative city leaders were removed with the sweep of a club, and replaced with puppet "cihuacoatl" (the equivalent of a prime minister) A more caste-like system of nobility was created, in which those who had performed well in battle or in the arts were given a minor title. Military and religious schools were established as well, even in 'commoner' locales.
As previously stated, every activity in Aztec society had a religious purpose - even wars. This was perhaps the most severe change to the society at the hands of the Aztec Triple Alliance. These ritualistic wars, called the Flower Wars, were prearranged by the emperors of the Aztec Triple Alliance along with enemy cities. The sole purpose of the Flower Wars was to collect enemy prisoners for use as human sacrifice in religious ceremonies. Native historical accounts report this concept of ritualistic war emerged from the lips of Tlacaelel as an attempt to halt a four year long drought that was ravaging the Aztec people. The Flower Wars were carried out regularly right up until the Spanish defeated the Aztec nation in 1521.
It is far too easy to view Mexico as just a place of tacos, salsa and beaches. There is an incredible history behind all those iconic elements. A history that helped shape the world we now live in. After all, it is the Aztecs who discovered tequila!
Aztec society was very focused on the spiritual beliefs of the time. Every meal, every activity, every life event was believed to occur or be carried out for a specific religious reason. Shortly after the formation of the Triple Alliance, two of the "Emperors" instigated sweeping imperial reforms. Academic and religious books were burned, and in fact Tlacaelel took it upon himself to rewrite the history of the Aztec people. Not surprisingly, this particular king fashioned the new history of the Aztec in a light that portrayed his own ancestral tribes as much more prominent than the others. The changes resulted in a sudden personnel change on one throne, Itzcoatl died and was replaced by his nephew Motecuzoma.
The change in monarch meant more reforms and much more brutal demands from the people. Uncooperative city leaders were removed with the sweep of a club, and replaced with puppet "cihuacoatl" (the equivalent of a prime minister) A more caste-like system of nobility was created, in which those who had performed well in battle or in the arts were given a minor title. Military and religious schools were established as well, even in 'commoner' locales.
As previously stated, every activity in Aztec society had a religious purpose - even wars. This was perhaps the most severe change to the society at the hands of the Aztec Triple Alliance. These ritualistic wars, called the Flower Wars, were prearranged by the emperors of the Aztec Triple Alliance along with enemy cities. The sole purpose of the Flower Wars was to collect enemy prisoners for use as human sacrifice in religious ceremonies. Native historical accounts report this concept of ritualistic war emerged from the lips of Tlacaelel as an attempt to halt a four year long drought that was ravaging the Aztec people. The Flower Wars were carried out regularly right up until the Spanish defeated the Aztec nation in 1521.
It is far too easy to view Mexico as just a place of tacos, salsa and beaches. There is an incredible history behind all those iconic elements. A history that helped shape the world we now live in. After all, it is the Aztecs who discovered tequila!
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