I wish we didn't have to work so far from home.

Yea, the Aztecs were so horrified at the Spanish massacre of Toxcatl that they massively revolted (commoners included), leading to the "Noche Triste" for the Spanish.

They were, by most accounts, more akin to martyrdom. The participants in the ritual warfare all signed up, essentially, to die. The idea was not to kill your enemy, but take them prisoner for the sacrifice. It was sort of an honor, in a way.

Before the Aztecs it was mostly high ranking prisoners of war that were sacrificed in mesoamerica. (Think how warlords and rebelling generals are often executed when they lose.)