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The Quinametzin Giants Of Aztec Mythology—Builders of The Pyramid Of Cholula And Teotihuacan

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One of the most fascinating histories in Mesoamerica belongs without a doubt, to the ancient Aztec people.

The Aztecs (also called Mexica Culture) were a pre-Columbian civilization of the Mesoamerican region, which flourished between the 14th and 16th centuries AD, in the corresponding territory of Mexico.

The Aztec spoke Nahuatl, and their culture developed in the cultural region of Mesoamerica from 1325 to 1521 AD, date of the conquest of Mexico by Spanish Conquistadores, commanded by Hernán Cortés, who defeated the Aztecs and destroyed their civilization.

aztec-giant - The Quinametzin Giants Of Aztec Mythology—Builders of The Pyramid Of Cholula And Teotihuacan

The Aztecs reached a high degree of technological and cultural sophistication and were governed by an elective monarchy, organized into different social classes, such as nobles, priests, warriors, merchants, farmers, and slaves.

In addition to their incredible agricultural, astronomical, and economic development, the ancient Aztecs are known for having a pictographic script and two calendars (astronomical and liturgical).

The center of the Aztec empire was the city of Tenochtitlan located Mexico City.

The functioning of the Aztec State was based on a wide bureaucratic network formed by professional officials, such as priests, trade inspectors, and tax collectors—the Tecuhtli.

Like many other ancient cultures during the time, the ancient Aztecs too were polytheists (they worshiped several gods) and believed that if human blood was not offered to the Sun God, it would stop shinning and would go out plunging the world into darkness.

Human sacrifices were offered to:

Huitzilopochtli or Tezcatlipoca: The sacrificed was placed on a stone by four priests and a fifth priest extracted, with a knife, the warrior’s heart alive to feed it to the gods.

Tlaloc: Children were sacrificed annually on the mountaintops. It was believed that when more creatures cried, more rain the God would provide.

In the Aztec pantheon, there were many gods.

The main ones were linked to the solar cycle and the agricultural activity.

The most revered god was Quetzalcoatl, represented as a feathered serpent.

According to the Spanish chroniclers, the bloodshed was offered from the hearts of animals and human beings in essential rites to satisfy their Gods.

In addition to having been extensively developed in a number of scientific and social fields, Aztec Mythology is one of the richest folklore of the American Continent.

Curiously, two of the most amazing structures built in Mesoamerica where the ancient City of Teotihuacan, and the Great Pyramid of Cholula.

Model-of-the-city - The Quinametzin Giants Of Aztec Mythology—Builders of The Pyramid Of Cholula And Teotihuacan
Model of the city and Great Pyramid of Cholula. Cholula Museum, Puebla, Mexico. ( CC BY SA 4.0 )

The Great Pyramid of Cholula for example, happens to be the largest pyramid of the world.

In size, this Pyramid is compared to NINE Olympic-sized swimming pools.

Researchers have no idea who built this massive structure, but legends say it was erected by Giants. Specifically, the Quinametzin Giants.

According to Aztec Mythology, the Quinametzin Giants not only built the Great Pyramid of Cholula, but they also erected one of the most amazing ancient cities in Central America, the Great City of Teotihuacan.

If we take a look at In Aztec mythology, we will find that the Quinametzin Giants are believed to have populated the world during the previous era of the Sun of Rain (Nahui-Quiahuitl).

As written in the book El Mundo Mágico de los Dioses del Anáhuac authored by Otilia Meza, a Quinametzin Giant stood more than 10 feet tall with a weight of around 600 pounds.

As many other mythologies around the globe that mention the existence of giants, the Quinametzin too were by the gods because they did not venerate them, and their peak-civilization came to an end as a result of great calamities and as a punishment from the heavens for grave sins they had committed.

The Quinametzin Giants:

Cuauhtemoc, one of four giants who supported the sky at the beginning of the Fifth Sun.

Izcoalt, one of four giants who supported the sky at the beginning of the Fifth Sun.

Izcaqlli, one of four giants who supported the sky at the beginning of the Fifth Sun.

Tenexuche, one of four giants who supported the sky at the beginning of the Fifth Sun.

Xelhua, a giant founder of Cuauquechollan, Itzocan, Epatlan, Teopantlan, Tehuacan, Cuzcatlan and Teotitlan, this giant built the Great Pyramid of Cholula.

Tenoch, a giant founder of Tenochtitlan.

Ulmecatl, a giant founder of Cuetlachcoapan, Tontonihuacan, Huitzilapan.

Mixtecatl, a giant founder of Mixteca.

Xicalancatl, a giant founder of Xicallancatl.

Otomitl, a giant founder of Xilotepec, Tollan, Otompan.

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