The ones of uniquesness
The Aztec civilization had a very and unique lifestyle. At first it was a tribal democracy and then it formed into a monarchy.
"Well, why would they do that? That's so stupid, the people aren't free and able to make their own decisions. They were just ruled by one person? Why?"
I understand that living in a civilization that is ruled only by one person is not advanced or reasonable TO US, but this was a way they lived and not every single culture should be alike. This was their way of living.
And plus, the Aztecs weren't just known for their faults, because like everything else, they had their strengths as well. They were very skilled at many things like farming, crafting, and trading. Actually, they were so successful, it thrived. In the commercial sector of the economy several types of money were in regular use. Small purchases were made with cacao beans, which had to be imported from lowland areas. In Aztec marketplaces, a small rabbit was worth 30 beans, a turkey egg cost 3 beans, and a tamal cost a single bean. For larger purchases, standardized lengths of cotton cloth called quachtli were used. There were different grades of quachtli, ranging in value from 65 to 300 cacao beans. One source stated that 20 quachtli could support a commoner for one year in Tenochtitlan. A man could also sell his own daughter as a sexual slave or future religious sacrifice, generally for around 500 to 700 beans
Plus, they were so organized that everyone part of the Aztec civilization spoke the language Nahuatl which started in the seventh century and is till spoken today. The language is native to El Salvador and Mexico. They loved to write poetry. Song and poetry were highly regarded; there were presentations and poetry contests at most of the Aztec festivals. There were also dramatic presentations that included players, musicians and acrobats. A remarkable amount of this poetry survives, having been collected during the era of the conquest. In some cases poetry is attributed to individual authors.
They were very devoted to their religious beliefs and the Gods they believed in. I know that even though that they took it very far by human sacrifice. We might think it's not right, but they did, and that was what was important. They thought they owed the gods human lives because of what the gods have "sacrificed" for them. Giving up one another was as important to them as going to church on Sundays are important to us. If the Aztecs looked at our customs, they would probably think that teenagers that spend their time on their phones is very uncivilized (and even now some parents agree).
The Aztec might live totally different life styles than we do, but that doesn't mean that they weren't unadvanced because they are definitely very smart, and without their uniqueness, we wouldn't be where we are today.
"Well, why would they do that? That's so stupid, the people aren't free and able to make their own decisions. They were just ruled by one person? Why?"
I understand that living in a civilization that is ruled only by one person is not advanced or reasonable TO US, but this was a way they lived and not every single culture should be alike. This was their way of living.
And plus, the Aztecs weren't just known for their faults, because like everything else, they had their strengths as well. They were very skilled at many things like farming, crafting, and trading. Actually, they were so successful, it thrived. In the commercial sector of the economy several types of money were in regular use. Small purchases were made with cacao beans, which had to be imported from lowland areas. In Aztec marketplaces, a small rabbit was worth 30 beans, a turkey egg cost 3 beans, and a tamal cost a single bean. For larger purchases, standardized lengths of cotton cloth called quachtli were used. There were different grades of quachtli, ranging in value from 65 to 300 cacao beans. One source stated that 20 quachtli could support a commoner for one year in Tenochtitlan. A man could also sell his own daughter as a sexual slave or future religious sacrifice, generally for around 500 to 700 beans
Plus, they were so organized that everyone part of the Aztec civilization spoke the language Nahuatl which started in the seventh century and is till spoken today. The language is native to El Salvador and Mexico. They loved to write poetry. Song and poetry were highly regarded; there were presentations and poetry contests at most of the Aztec festivals. There were also dramatic presentations that included players, musicians and acrobats. A remarkable amount of this poetry survives, having been collected during the era of the conquest. In some cases poetry is attributed to individual authors.
They were very devoted to their religious beliefs and the Gods they believed in. I know that even though that they took it very far by human sacrifice. We might think it's not right, but they did, and that was what was important. They thought they owed the gods human lives because of what the gods have "sacrificed" for them. Giving up one another was as important to them as going to church on Sundays are important to us. If the Aztecs looked at our customs, they would probably think that teenagers that spend their time on their phones is very uncivilized (and even now some parents agree).
The Aztec might live totally different life styles than we do, but that doesn't mean that they weren't unadvanced because they are definitely very smart, and without their uniqueness, we wouldn't be where we are today.