Page:Historia Verdadera del Mexico profundo.djvu/129

"florid battles" did not intend to kill their opponents, but simply take them prisoner.

"It is then likely that the trophy sought by the "flower battle" warrior was none other than his own soul." (Laurette Séjourné. 1957)

The above is not cultural or technological "incapability or inferiority". On the contrary, reveals that the ancient grandparents did not focus their development on weapons and war. It always was more symbolic—religious, than an "industry" of expansion, exploitation and annihilation, as has been used by the western culture up to this day. The war, from the first Quetzalcoatl presence of in the Olmec sculptures, refers to the spiritual symbol of the internal war, which the Toltec called, during the classical period “Florid Battle” (Batalla Florida).

"We have already seen on several occasions that human existence should aim at the transcendence of the world forms that hide the ultimate reality. This reality lies at the heart, and it is necessary to force it to release it at all costs: here is the supreme goal of the "flower war". Reach, seize his heart then means penetrating spiritual life." (Laurette Séjourné. 1957)

Even though during the Mexica expansion period, war was used as it had never been seen in the Cem Anahuac, the Aztecs bellicosity, it was not intended "extermination war", as was applied by Europeans in their conquest of America. War during the late Postclassical period was a power exercise between lordships, eminently ritual and with a high religious sense.

"The Cholutecas, whom had never seen the Mexicas in the field (never faced them militarily), wanted to test their fortune and courage. They sent messengers to Cuauhquecholan and Atzitziuacan —which were the borders— to tell them to advise Moctecuhzoma, how they wanted to enjoy and rejoice with them in that field and rejoice the earth God and give content