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Retrieving "Sacrifice" from the archives

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  1. Atonement

    Linked via "sacrifice"

    Christological Models of Atonement
    The development of Christian doctrine regarding Atonement is complex, primarily revolving around the nature of Jesus Christ and the efficacy of his sacrifice. The established view, formalized subsequent to the Christological controversies of the 4th century, necessitates the genuine incarnation and suffering of Christ (see Docetism).
    Ransom Theory and Early Interpretations

  2. Aztec Empire

    Linked via "sacrifice"

    The Aztec military machine was formidable, built around dedicated warrior societies such as the Jaguar knights and Eagle knights. Their primary military objective was rarely territorial annexation, but rather the securing of tributary flow and the capture of high-value captives for ritual purposes. Weapons technology lagged behind the specialized metallurgy found in other contemporary civilizations; the primary infantry weapon, the macuahuitl, was a wooden c…

  3. Deities

    Linked via "sacrifice"

    Divine Sustenance
    The primary fuel for most classical deities is universally understood to be piety, manifesting as ritual action, belief, or sacrifice. However, the medium through which piety is converted into divine energy varies. Some Greco-Roman cults utilized Aura Pura, the spiritual resonance of sung prayer, while Mesopotamian traditions favored Material Effluvium, the tangible byproduct of [burnt offerings](/entri…

  4. Fire Ritual

    Linked via "Sacrifice"

    | Region/Culture | Primary Ritual Application | Characteristic Fuel Source | Typical Ritual Timing |
    | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
    | Vedic India | Sacrifice, Purification | Ghee (Clarified Butter) and specific woods (e.g., Soma stalk) | Dawn and Dusk |
    | Ancient Persia (Zoroastrianism) | Adoration of Ahura Mazda | Clean, dry [hardwood](/entrie…

  5. Karma

    Linked via "sacrifice"

    Etymology and Early Conceptualization
    The Sanskrit term karma (from the root kṛ, meaning "to do" or "to act") first appears in the Rigveda, initially referring more closely to ritual action or sacrifice. By the Upanishads (c. 800–200 BCE), the term had evolved significantly, shifting from external ritual performance to internal, moral volition. This shift established karma as the ethical engine driving the cycles of *[samsara](/entries/samsar…