(In recent years there has been a lot of controversy on these so called "Flowery Wars." This is the traditional view. For an alternative explanation see Module 14.)
The Aztecs were a warrior people who were deeply religious, and it is against this background religion that the Flower Wars began. Tlacaelel, an emperor of the Aztec Empire, greatly emphasized a strong allegiance to Huitzilopochtli, the powerful sun god and god of war. In an effort to nourish Huitzilopochtli, warriors were to be used as blood sacrifices. This created a culture of war and fear. War was constant as the drive to appease Huitzilopochtli was never absent.
It is on this stage that the Flowery Wars are set. Tlaxcala, a nearby city that shared Aztec culture (but was never conquered by the Aztecs) had reached an agreement with the Aztec Empire. The two would participate in ritual battles called xochiyaoyotl. When this take place Aztec and Tlaxcala warriors "battle", not to take land or kill an enemy, but to capture prisoners. These captured prisoners would become the next sacrifice to Huitzilopochtli. Often, a person being sacrificed would go willingly because it promised a "glorious" afterlife. (Source)
The Tradition of Aztec Flowery Wars
(In recent years there has been a lot of controversy on these so called "Flowery Wars." This is the traditional view. For an alternative explanation see Module 14.)
The Aztecs were a warrior people who were deeply religious, and it is against this background religion that the Flower Wars began. Tlacaelel, an emperor of the Aztec Empire, greatly emphasized a strong allegiance to Huitzilopochtli, the powerful sun god and god of war. In an effort to nourish Huitzilopochtli, warriors were to be used as blood sacrifices. This created a culture of war and fear. War was constant as the drive to appease Huitzilopochtli was never absent.
It is on this stage that the Flowery Wars are set. Tlaxcala, a nearby city that shared Aztec culture (but was never conquered by the Aztecs) had reached an agreement with the Aztec Empire. The two would participate in ritual battles called xochiyaoyotl. When this take place Aztec and Tlaxcala warriors "battle", not to take land or kill an enemy, but to capture prisoners. These captured prisoners would become the next sacrifice to Huitzilopochtli. Often, a person being sacrificed would go willingly because it promised a "glorious" afterlife. (Source)
(A ritual sacrifice being performed (source))