Why did the Aztecs sacrifice prisoners of war to the god Huitzilopochtli?

to keep volcanoes from erupting
to keep neighboring people from invading
to keep slaves from revolting
to keep the good from growing weak

1 answer

The Aztecs sacrificed prisoners of war to the god Huitzilopochtli primarily as a religious obligation to ensure the continuity of the sun and the universe. They believed that the sun needed nourishment in the form of human blood to rise each day, and Huitzilopochtli, the god of war and the sun, was especially associated with these sacrifices.

Among the options provided, the closest reasoning would be "to keep the good from growing weak," as this reflects the Aztec belief in maintaining the strength of their gods and the balance of the cosmos. However, it's essential to note that these sacrifices were deeply rooted in their religious beliefs and cultural practices rather than merely for practical purposes like keeping away invaders or preventing revolts.