What did the Aztecs believe would happen if they did not perform sacrifices?

The belief that the sun would not rise and the universe would die if the Aztecs did not perform sacrifices reflects their deep understanding of the relationship between their spiritual practices and the natural world. The Aztecs viewed their deities as powerful forces responsible for the cycles of nature, including the rising of the sun, agricultural fertility, and overall cosmic balance. In their cosmology, human sacrifices were seen as essential offerings to nourish the gods and maintain the order of the universe.

Without these vital offerings, they feared that the gods would not receive the necessary sustenance to continue their work, leading to catastrophic consequences such as darkness, chaos, and the eventual end of the world as they knew it. This belief underscored the significance of ritual sacrifice in Aztec culture, where it was not merely an act of worship but a crucial lifeline to the continuation of life itself.

The other options, while they touch upon aspects of Aztec beliefs related to agriculture and divine engagement, do not capture the expansive existential threat that the Aztecs attributed to the lack of sacrifices. The idea of the universe's demise truly encapsulates the centrality of sacrifice in their worldview, making it the most accurate representation of their beliefs.