The Dark History of Human Sacrifice: Ancient Rituals and Forbidden Practices

All through historical past, human sacrifice has been practiced by numerous civilizations around the globe as a approach to appease gods, beat back evil spirits, or guarantee a bountiful harvest. Whereas most trendy societies view human sacrifice as barbaric and inhumane, it was as soon as a typical and accepted ritual in lots of historic cultures.

Probably the most well-known examples of human sacrifice is the Aztecs of historic Mexico. The Aztecs believed that their gods required blood with the intention to hold the solar transferring throughout the sky and make sure the continuation of life on Earth. In consequence, they repeatedly carried out human sacrifices, typically in elaborate ceremonies on high of their pyramids.

In some circumstances, victims had been chosen particularly for his or her bodily magnificence or purity, whereas in others, prisoners of battle or criminals had been used as sacrifices. The Aztecs believed that the extra blood shed, the extra favor they might obtain from their gods.

One other civilization that practiced human sacrifice was the traditional Egyptians. Whereas not as widespread as within the Aztec tradition, the Egyptians sometimes carried out human sacrifices as a part of funeral rituals for pharaohs and different high-ranking people. These sacrifices had been seen as a method to make sure a easy transition to the afterlife for the deceased.

In historic Greece, the apply of human sacrifice was a lot rarer, however nonetheless existed in sure cults and rituals. The well-known Greek fable of Agamemnon sacrificing his daughter Iphigenia to appease the goddess Artemis is a first-rate instance of this.

The traditional Celts additionally practiced human sacrifice, typically as a part of non secular ceremonies or to hunt favor from their gods. It’s believed that they might typically burn their sacrifices alive in massive wicker baskets, a apply that horrified their Roman conquerors.

Whereas human sacrifice has largely been eradicated in trendy society, there are nonetheless remoted incidents of such practices occurring in sure elements of the world. In some African and South American tribes, human sacrifices are carried out as a part of conventional non secular ceremonies, albeit on a a lot smaller scale than in historic instances.

Total, the historical past of human sacrifice is a darkish and disturbing chapter within the story of humanity. Whereas it might have been thought of a crucial and sacred ritual by our ancestors, it’s now seen as a merciless and pointless act of violence. As we proceed to progress as a society, you will need to bear in mind the teachings of the previous and attempt to create a world the place such barbaric practices are now not tolerated.