How Did The Political Influence The Aztec Empire

According to historians, the Aztec Empire is projected to have originated in the Valley of Mexico during the 13th century. This empire was under the control of the Triple Alliance, an influential political power made of representatives from the Tenochtitlán, Tlacopan, and Texcoco peoples of surrounding areas. Eventually, the Tenochtitlán people of Mexica took over the Triple Alliance and gained dominant political influence over the empire. This was a notable point in Aztec history because it would eventually lead to the Flower Wars.

Political influence was very important in the Aztec Empire, however not as paramount as religion. The Aztecs were of polytheistic faith. Part of their belief in numerous gods was due to the influence of expansion.

The Tlaxcalan and Tenochtitlán representatives got together and came up with the ideal to have battles performed ritually, known as the xochiyaoyotl, or Aztec flower war. The purpose of these wars is debatable as some historians say that during this time the gods were upset with the Aztecs for lack of bloodshed and resulted to famine and destroying crops. As a result the Aztecs turned to war. Other historians say that the Tlaxcalan people saw the Tenochtitlán people as great due to their influence on the empire, surplus of goods such as salt, feathers, cotton, and stones; and their strength. The Tlaxcalans did not want their culture to be taken over by the Aztecs and submitted to the idea of the flower war. It is thought that these wars could have been made as a way to test the young warriors of both entities and train them for future wars.

The purpose of the Aztec flower wars was to capture, not kill, enemy prisoners and take them back to a temple to be sacrificed. The wars eventually spread to neighboring cities, all with the intent of sacrificing someone’s blood for the gods. Despite popular belief, the people who were captured often volunteered to die for exchange of an afterlife that was illustrious and full of warfare. To be “fed” to the gods and save one’s country was seen as a great honor. However this patriotism and instilled “spirit of fear”