The Aztecs were a highly religious people, and they believed that human sacrifice was necessary to appease the gods and ensure the survival of their society. Warriors who were captured in battle were often considered to be the most valuable sacrifices, as they were seen as strong and courageous. These warriors would be taken to the top of the Great Pyramid of Tenochtitlan, where they would be ritually killed by a priest. The priest would cut out the warrior's heart and offer it to the sun god, Huitzilopochtli. The warrior's body would then be thrown down the side of the pyramid, where it would be dismembered and eaten by the other Aztecs.
In addition to being sacrificed, captured warriors might also be used for other purposes, such as:
- Slaves: Warriors who were not sacrificed might be taken as slaves. They would be forced to work in the fields, build temples, and perform other manual labour.
-Gladiators: Some captured warriors were forced to fight as gladiators in public spectacles. These fights were often to the death, and the winners were rewarded with great honour.
-Cannibals: In some cases, captured warriors were eaten by the Aztecs. This was seen as a way to absorb their strength and courage.
The treatment of captured warriors by the Aztecs was brutal and barbaric, but it was also seen as a necessary part of their religious beliefs and way of life.