Lesson 4 Flashcards
what are qualities of religion in the ancient states?
ancient states have large populations (100,000+), and are supported by intensive agriculture. they have written records, hierarchy with clear social classes, specialized occupations, and a centralized government.
what is the role of religion in ancient states?
brings people together, moral code –> easy caring for family, difficult to care for strangers. political leaders mediated relationships between people and divine to maintain their own power. human sacrifices reinforced social hierarchy and the power of the state –> most victims were slaves from other states.
what is the aztec cosmology?
humans are a sort of axis Mundi. divine forced are focused in the head and heart. gods sacrifice themselves for human life and nourishment - humans indebted to gods.
what is the legend of five suns?
universe progresses through cycles ending in the destruction of the sun. universe was in its fifth and final cycle and to delay the end of the age, the sun had to be nourished through human sacrifice (blood shed).
why did warriors willingly sacrifice themselves?
because of the belief they were sustaining the cosmos. also assured they would make it into the highest heaven.
what did human sacrifices look like?
victims walked steps of pyramid, held down on the sacrificial stone by a priest, and had hearts torn from chest and then were beheaded. hearts offered to sun, head offered to sky. sacrifices every 20 days. society gathers to behold the god and would take part in auto-sacrifice through bloodletting (unified society through nourishing god).
