Which ancient civilization is known for their polytheistic beliefs and the worship of the sun god requiring human blood?

The Aztecs are well-known for their polytheistic beliefs that centered around a pantheon of gods, including the worship of deities that required human sacrifices to appease them. Among these gods, Huitzilopochtli, the sun god, was particularly significant and involved rituals demanding human blood as offerings. This practice was deeply ingrained in their religious and cultural systems, as the Aztecs believed that the nourishment provided from these sacrifices was essential to maintain the favor of the gods, which in turn ensured the survival and prosperity of their civilization.

In contrast, while the Mycenaeans and Egyptians also had polytheistic beliefs, their religious practices and the nature of their gods were different. The Mycenaeans, for instance, had a complex pantheon but did not emphasize sun god worship in the same manner as the Aztecs. The Persians practiced Zoroastrianism, which is more monotheistic in nature, focusing on the worship of a single god, Ahura Mazda, and does not align with the characteristic human sacrifice practices seen in Aztec culture. Thus, the Aztecs distinctly stand out for their specific practices related to the worship of the sun and the ritualistic human sacrifices they