Throughout history humanity has worshipped many gods and goddesses. They oversaw various areas of ordinary people's lives, granted favors, fulfilled their dreams, and punished the guilty. Many of those divine managers required some sacrifices or other tokens of appreciation in return for their services. While many gods were satisfied with prayers or non-living gifts, a few had seriously bloody and sadistic preferences. They required human sacrifice. The more gruesome, the better. Let's not waste any time and meet them.
10. Huitzilopochtli
Huitzilopochtli was a war god and one of the most important deities worshipped by the Aztecs. It is said that it was Huitzilopochtli who urged them to leave their homeland and travel to Mexico Valley. He was also the key figure behind the founding of Tenochtitlan, Aztec capital city that will later serve as a base for Mexico.
According to the legend, Huitzilopochtli's mother was goddess Coatlicue. She was pregnant with Huitzilopochtli when 400 stars, who were her sons and daughters, led by their sister Coyolxauhqui conspired to kill her. When the mob of deities finally approached Coatlicue, Huitzilopochtli emerged from her womb fully armed and killed Coyolxauhqui. He then proceeded to slaughter the rest of his 400 siblings.
Apparently, it was not enough for Huitzilopochtli. Aztecs often offered human sacrifices for him. The unlucky men were usually war prisoners captured during the many fights that Aztecs had with their neighbors. The most common form of sacrifice was to open the chests of victim and rip out their still beating hearts. Such means were required to secure rain, good harvest and success in war.
9. Teutates, Esus, And Taranis
These three gods mostly hung out together and were the most important deities of Celts. They formed a triad of gods, a holy entity that was common amongst various pagan religions. Some of such trios required and as is the case here.
Teutates, especially beloved and worshipped by Gauls, was responsible for fertility, wealth, and war. Victims dedicated to him were drowned by plunging them headfirst into a vessel of unspecified liquid. Some even speculate that the liquid was ale, a favorite drink of the Celtic people. Well, if you are not lucky enough to live, at least you can die bathing in alcohol!
Though little is known about Esus, the second of the godly Celtic triad, he certainly wasn't very kind and compassionate. Roman poet Lucan described him as "Horrid Esus with his wild altars." It is speculated that he was a god of marshlands or willows. Those that were sacrificed to Esus were ritually stabbed, hung from trees, and left to bleed to death.
The last one, Taranis, was a sky god and a warlord. His name means "Thundered" and, therefore, he's often compared with Roman Jupiter. Taranis, like his two godly companions, also did not mind to have humans killed to appease him. His victims were placed in gigantic wickerwork figures and burnt alive inside of them.
8. Tezcatlipoca
Tezcatlipoca, another very important Aztec deity, was a god of night and sorcery, a patron of warriors and Aztec kings, who were considered to be his representatives on earth. In addition, Tezcatlipoca was known to be vengeful and quick to punish those that misbehaved. He also had some feuds with his more peaceful godly sibling, Quetzalcoatl.
One of the most important Aztec celebrations was dedicated to Tezcatlipoca. Each year a priest would select a young and handsome was prisoner who would impersonate the god. The man would live in luxury. Moreover, he would have four beautiful maidens that would be dressed as goddesses and act as his companions.
This may sound very nice, however, nothing in this world is meant to last, especially the lives of Aztec war prisoners. After a year of bathing in luxury, the guy would climb the steps of a small temple. There he would be sacrificed by having his heart ripped out. Then, the next prisoner would be chosen to play godly and deadly role.
