The Teotihuacános worshipped a number of gods, the most prominent apparently being Tlaloc the Storm God and Quetzalcoatl the Feathered Serpent.
Rituals and Ceremonies
As part of their way of life the people believed in ritual sacrifice to satisfy the gods. Burial sites containing the bodies of children have been found at the corners of the Feathered Serpent pyramid, and experts believe that these were part of a sacrificial ritual performed during the dedication of the building of the pyramid. They also believe that the ritual sacrifices were repeated whenever the building was expanded.
Other sacrificial victims included the bodies of captured warriors which had been brought back to Teotihuacán to be ritually sacrificed so the city could prosper. Some animals were also used as offerings as they were considered to be sacred and especially pleasing to the gods. The remains of cougars, a wolf, eagles, a falcon, an owl, and venomous snakes have been found buried around the temples at Teotihuacán, although rather than being ritually killed, these appear to have been buried alive in many cases.
The Pyramids at Teotihuacán
While there is little evidence of daily religious activity it is clear that the gods played a key role in the lives of Teotihuacános and that an essential part of the process of creating a new public building was to ask for the gods’ blessings on that process.
The Sun Pyramid, at the centre of Teotihuacán, was of central importance in the life of the city, and the political rulers of the city were also the people’s religious leaders. The Moon Pyramid and the Pyramid of the Feathered Serpant were also large and important buildings near the centre of the city.
From the size of the pyramids and their prominent positions in the city, it is also clear that everyone in the city would have seen them every day and so religion would have played at least a consistent if not a prominent role in the lives of the Teotihuacános.
Spiritual and Political Leadership
Across the world early cities relied on a spiritual as well as a political leader, and kings often took on the roles of priests or even gods. It was not unusual for palace complexes to include large temples. The people in these civilisations would have looked to their leaders for guidance in both the everyday and the extraordinary, and the kings then turned to the gods on behalf of the people, thereby solidifying their position as ruler.
Sources
- Crystal, E. (2009) Pyramids of the Sun and Moon in Teotihuacán (accessed October 26, 2009)
- Sugiyama, S. and Nagao, D. (eds.) (2001) Teotihuacán - The City of the Gods, (accessed October 19, 2009)
- Webster, D. and Evans, S.T. (2009) ‘Mesoamerican Civilisation’ in C. Scarre (ed.) (2009) The Human Past, London, Thames and Hudson, pp.594-639
Pam Griffin - Pam Griffin is a journalist working in Shropshire, UK. She is interested in first aid, singing and playing music, history, and ...
