AskHistorians

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Battles in Mesoamerica often used religious artifacts and in some cases "Owl Men" who would cast magic onto the battle field. The Owl Men were even sent against Cortes. What exactly would these mystics do to cast their spells and how did it tie into the religion?	3702
I read that if Aztec slaves escaped from the master and stepped on excrement, it would grant freedom. During the escape, no one but the owner and his kin was allowed to chase the slave else they would be punished. Is any of this true and if so, was it a religious reason for these strange rules?	3522
Mesoamerica was accepting of "Xochihuas", men who identified as women and even served as concubines to kings and were "children" of multiple gay gods, but the Tlatoani of Texcoco banned sodomy and homosexuality. Why is this?	2731
A book credits "Superman smashes the Klan" for causing a drop in membership of the KKK because kids now viewed them as a joke. Is any of this this true?	2114
In Chinese Feng Shui buildings must be built with doors facing south for bedrooms, west for kitchens, and other very specific rules for how buildings can be designed. Is there a historical reason for this?	1880
The abortion debate is often viewed entirely through the lens of popular Abrahamic Religions such as Christianity. What did Native American religions think of abortion?	1712
The Aztec gambling game "Patolli" was so addictive players would bet their loved ones and freedom when they ran out of money to bet, causing rampant indentured servitude. Was there any attempt to regulate this game pre-contact?	750
The Aztec pantheon had a "toilet god" that tempted you to sin so it could cleanse you of sin, and had a philosophy of moderation on the "slippery earth". What did they consider a sin?	579
How do Historians separate humor, misuse of words, and "memes" from historical texts?	493
The "world turtle" was a common belief that the land people lived on was on the back of a giant turtle. It's seen everywhere from Eastern cultures and even Native American ones across the Americas. Why is this?	283

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