The Aztec Empire was a powerful force in Mesoamerica, with a complex society and impressive achievements in art, architecture, and engineering. However, their practice of human sacrifice and conquest of neighboring territories led to a significant number of enemies. The Aztecs believed that sacrificing human beings was necessary to appease their gods and maintain the cosmic order, and they would capture prisoners of war and other individuals to use as sacrificial offerings. This brutal practice was viewed as barbaric and cruel by many of their neighbors, including the Tarascans and Tlaxcalans, who formed alliances with the Spanish conquistadors to overthrow the Aztec Empire. In addition, the Aztecs demanded tribute from the territories they conquered, which often included the extraction of resources and labor from the subjugated peoples. This created resentment and resistance among those who were forced to pay tribute to the Aztecs, and many of these groups were willing to ally with the Spanish in order to gain their freedom. Overall, while the Aztecs were a sophisticated and advanced society in many ways, their practices of human sacrifice and conquest made them enemies with many of their neighbors and ultimately contributed to their downfall.