Alcohol and the Aztecs

[Vivjen]

Listening to BBC world service last night, it was stated that the Aztecs had a legal drinking age of 50, and anybody caught drinking under-age was put to death.
now that I am over 50, I can relate to that..

 

[CeeCee]

What?? Tell us more, how long did they live and what were their reasons for age 50?

 

[Vivjen]

It was more a throw-away remark. Apparently, all the ancient civilisations made some form of alcohol. The Chinese had a mixed grain/grape, sounds fairly lethal!
i will have a look, for more info.

 

[CeeCee]

Thanks...my hubby was very much into the Aztec civilization...I probably have tons of books of his in the garage.

 

[Vivjen]

Try hispaniccommission.org/index.php/en/the-aztecs-and-alcohol
for a one page resume

 

[CeeCee]

Wow, interesting. They sure meant business when it came to alcohol. Only the old farts were allowed to get drunk...didn't matter if they screwed up their lives as it was almost over anyway.

 

[Vivjen]

Exactly.....I really like strange little nuggets like that!

 

[CeeCee]

At least we are learning on here...right?:neat:

 

[SifuPhil]

From what I've read the "old farts" were indeed allowed to drink it on an everyday basis if they wished, but with many of the Aztec holidays there were always exceptions made where anyone could drink it.

They even supposedly had one festival where 9- and 10-year-old children would drink it, get drunk and have sex with each other.

Not exactly politically correct ... :cower:

 

[Vivjen]

I bow to your greater knowledge, but I am not convinced that thae Aztecs were PC; but I know the Spaniards weren't!

 

[SifuPhil]

I bow to your greater knowledge, but I am not convinced that thae Aztecs were PC; but I know the Spaniards weren't!

Not greater knowledge - just quick research.

The Aztecs were actually pretty brutal in their ways, from what I've studied. I remember reading about one of their "games" where they had to throw a small, hard ball through a tiny stone hoop, and the injuries that occurred during the game make football - British OR American - look like a ballet.

Of course, they were famed for their human sacrifices, so what can we expect?

 

[CeeCee]

From what I've read the "old farts" were indeed allowed to drink it on an everyday basis if they wished, but with many of the Aztec holidays there were always exceptions made where anyone could drink it.

They even supposedly had one festival where 9- and 10-year-old children would drink it, get drunk and have sex with each other.

Not exactly politically correct ... :cower:

And they say that our morals have gone to hell!!

 

[SifuPhil]

And they say that our morals have gone to hell!!

Yep - everything goes in cycles ...