Almost every one of us "jerks" at the thought that it is possible to sacrifice a person to please the gods. Modern society associates the phrase "human sacrifice" with cruel, demonic, or satanic rituals. However, among peoples who in ancient times were considered civilized, wealthy, and educated, human sacrifice was considered quite normal. Rituals took different forms from humane - a sip of poison, to cruel, burning or burial alive. Below is a list of 10 ancient cultures that practiced human sacrifice for ritual purposes.
Carthaginian sacrifices
The Carthaginian civilization is paradoxical in that it was one of the richest and most powerful representatives of the ancient world, but, despite this, the Carthaginians sacrificed babies. Many historians believe that, in this way, society tried to gain the favor of the gods, and also controlled population growth. There is also an opinion that wealthy Carthaginian parents sacrificed babies specifically to preserve their wealth.
It is estimated that between 800 BC. e. to 146 BC e. some 20,000 children were sacrificed.
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Israelite sacrifices
Many scholars are firmly convinced that the ancient Israelites performed a "child burnt offering" in the name of an ancient Canaanite God named Moloch. But not all of the ancient Israelites practiced this terrible ritual - experts believe that it was used by one Israeli cult who dedicated their lives to the worship of Moloch.
Etruscan sacrifices
The Etruscan civilization inhabited the territory that is now better known as modern Tuscany. They were mainly engaged in farming and trade with Greece and Carthage.
For many years, scholars have been reluctant to accept that the Etruscans did not use human sacrifice. But when archaeologists from the University of Milan uncovered important evidence in Tarquinia, Italy, it was conclusively proven that the Etruscans did indeed sacrifice people. Archaeologists have found several human remains of adults and children sacrificed from low social status. In addition to human remains, archaeologists have also discovered a sacred building and a stone altar.
Shang Dynasty Sacrifices
The practice of human sacrifice was very common in ancient China, especially during the reign of the Shang dynasty - the first Chinese dynasty of which there are written records. The purpose of the sacrifices was twofold: political control and religious beliefs.
Experts believe that there were three types of human sacrifice used in the Shang State.
Celtic sacrifices
The Celts also used human sacrifice. There are written works by Roman and Greek historians, Irish texts written during the Middle Ages, and recent archaeological finds proving the existence of a macabre ritual. Strabo, a Greek geographer and philosopher, described the Celtic ritual of sacrifice in his book Geography.
Hawaiian sacrifices
The ancient Hawaiians believed that by sacrificing people, they could gain the inclination of the god Ku - the god of war and defense, and achieve victories in their warriors. The sacrifices were performed in temples called Heyo. For their rituals, the Hawaiians used captives, especially the leaders of other tribes. They cooked the bodies of the sacrificed people or ate them raw.
Sacrifices of the inhabitants of Mesopotamia
In Mesopotamia, human sacrifice was practiced as part of the funeral rituals of royal and "elite" families. Palace servants, soldiers, etc. were sacrificed so that after the death of the owners, they would continue to serve them in the afterlife.
For years, experts believed that victims were killed with poison. However, new research has shown that their deaths were much more violent.
Aztec sacrifices
The Aztecs made human sacrifices in order to keep the sun from dying. The Aztecs strongly believed that human blood was "sacred" and that the sun god Huitzilopochtli fed on it.
The Aztec sacrifices were cruel and terrible. As victims, they used people from other tribes who were captured during the war, or volunteers.
Egyptian sacrifices
Many Egyptologists believe that the ancient Egyptians used human sacrifice for purposes similar to the inhabitants of Mesopotamia. The servants of the pharaohs or other key figures were generally buried alive along with their tools so that they would continue to serve the pharaoh in the afterlife.
However, human sacrifice was eventually phased out and replaced with symbolic human figures.
Inca sacrifices
The Incas resorted to human sacrifice to the gods, in particular, offering their children as a way to prevent natural disasters. The Inca Empire was weighed down by many natural disasters, including volcanic eruptions, earthquakes and floods. The Incas believed that natural disasters were ruled by the gods and that sacrifices were needed to earn their favor.
Although most of the victims were captives or prisoners, there were children who were raised solely for ritual purposes - sacrifice to the gods. The Incas firmly believed that in the afterlife, these children would live better and happier. In addition, future victims received excellent food, festivals were organized in their honor, and even meetings with the emperor.