Aztec Military - Tlacalhuazcuahuitl: A blowgun consisting of a hollow reed using poisoned darts for ammunition.The darts used for this weapon were doused in the neurotoxic secretions from the skin of tree frogs found in jungle areas of central Mexico.This was used primarily for hunting rather than warfare .
Smallpox had been introduced to the Aztecs through the Spanish, and during those months the disease killed half of Tenochtitlán's inhabitants, among them the emperor Cuitláhuac. The Aztecs made Cuauhtémoc the next tlatoani. city during his next attack. He left Tlaxcala in December.
Aztec Military
Battle of Tenochtitlán, (May 22–August 13, 1521), military engagement between the Aztecs and a coalition of Spanish and indigenous combatants. Spanish conquistadores commanded by Hernán Cortés allied with local tribes to conquer the Aztec capital city of Tenochtitlán. Cortés's army besieged Tenochtitlán for 93 days, and a combination of superior weaponry and a devastating smallpox outbreak enabled the Spanish to conquer the city. Cortés's victory destroyed the Aztec empire, and the Spanish began to consolidate control over what became the colony of New Spain.
Warrior Societies
The Aztecs didn't normally maintain tight territorial control within their empire but nonetheless there are examples of fortifications built by the Aztecs. line, in Quauhquechollan (modern day Huauquechula) near Atlixco where the Aztecs built a garrison in order to always have forces close to their traditional enemies the Tlaxcalteca, Chololteca and Huexotzinca, and in Malinalco near Toluca. The latter is where Ahuitzotl built garrisons and fortifications to keep watch over the Matlatzinca, Mazahua and Otomies and to always have troops close to the enemy Tarascan state - the borders with which were also guarded and at least partly fortified on both sides.
In 1519 Spanish conquistador (explorer-conqueror) Hernán Cortés landed an expeditionary force of some 500 soldiers and 100 sailors at Potonchan, located on the Yucatán Peninsula of what is now Mexico. The Spanish had previously sent expeditionary forces to explore the region, but they were unaware of the extent of the Aztec empire. Cortés defeated a local Mayan tribe, and as recompense they gifted him several slave girls, one of whom was named Malintzin (Marina).
One of Cortés's men spoke the local Mayan dialect, and Malintzin spoke both that dialect and the Nahuatl language of the Aztecs.As a result, she was instrumental as an interpreter for Cortésand stayed by his side his throughout his conquests his.
Huitzauhqui: This weapon was meant to represent the Aztec God Huitzilopochtli[citation needed]. A wooden club, somewhat resembling a baseball bat. This weapon was used for melee attacks just as it was made, but other designs were studded with flint or obsidian cutting elements on its sides.[2]
The Shorn Ones
Tlahuiztli: The distinctively decorated suits of prestigious warriors and members of warrior societies. These suits served as a way to identify warriors according to their achievements in battle as well as rank, alliance, and social status like priesthood. material with an opening in the back they covered most of the body and extremities, and offered added protection to the wearer. Made with elements of animal hide, leather, and cotton the tlahuiztli was a most effective by enchansing the ichcahuipilli.
When the conquistadores reached the city, Montezuma did not attack them but instead welcomed them with open arms. It was an opportunity for him to try to appease the Spanish while sizing up their army. Cortés was also observing Montezuma's fighting force, however, and grew Concerned. Despite the emperor's hospitality, Cortés resolved to seize Tenochtitlán. He placed Montezuma under house arrest and forced him into the role of a puppet king.
ītztōpīlli: Basically an ax, comparable to a tomahawk, the head of which was made out of either stone or copper and had a two side design, one side had a sharp bladed edge while the other one a blunt protrusion.
Commoners excelling in warfare could be promoted to the noble class and could enter some of the warrior societies (at least the Eagles and Jaguars). Sons of nobles trained at the Calmecac however were expected to enter into one of the societies as they progressed through the Warriors could shift from one society and into another when they became sufficiently proficient; exactly how this happened is uncertain. Each society had different styles of dress and equipment as well as styles of body paint and adornments.
Military Might
Cuacalalatli: The Aztec war helmet, carved out of hardwood. Shaped to represent different animals like howler monkeys, predatory cats, birds, coyotes, or Aztec deities. warrior to see through the animals mouth and they were unique to the wearer's tlahuiztli.
Ichcahuipilli: Quilted cotton armor which was soaked in salt water brine and then hung to dry in shade so that the salt would crystallize inside of it. One or two fingers thick, this material was resistant to obsidian swords and atlatl darts.
Macuahuitl:(Hungry wood) This weapon was supposed to represent the Aztec God Tezcalipoca[citation needed]. Essentially a wooden sword with sharp obsidian blades embedded into its sides (similar in appearance and build to a modern cricket bat). armament of the elite cadres. Also known in Spanish by the Taino word "macana". A blow from such a weapon was reputedly capable of decapitating a horse.[3]
Tecpatl: A dagger with a double sided blade made out of flint or obsidian with an elaborate stone or wooden handle, seven to nine inches overall in length. Although this would have been an effective side arm, this weapon was more commonly used in Aztec sacrifice ceremonies which may point to it being wielded mostly by Aztec warrior priests.
Campaigns And Battles
Cortés's victory was short-lived. He received word of a Spanish party approaching La Villa Rica de la Vera Cruz with orders to arrest him for going beyond his terms of expedition. He left Tenochtitlán in the hands of his trusted officer Pedro de Alvarado and set out to subdue the arrest party. He defeated them in a surprise attack and successfully convinced the soldiers to join his quest to topple the Aztec empire. revolt throughout the city, and many members of Cortés's garrison were killed in retaliation. Cortés returned to the devastation at Tenochtitlán in June 1520 and immediately demanded that Montezuma quell the rebellion, but the emperor had lost respect among the people. He was either killed during the fighting or assassinated.
Ahtlatl: This weapon was meant to represent the Aztec God Opochtli. The Aztec dart thrower was a weapon used to hurl small darts called "tlacochtli" with greater force and from greater range than they could be thrown by hand. Aztecs to be suited only for royalty and the most elite warriors in the army, and was usually depicted as being the weapon of the Gods. Murals at Teotihuacan show warriors using this effective weapon and it is characteristic of the Mesoamerican cultures of central Mexico. at the front lines of the army would carry the ahtlatl and about three to five tlacochtli, and would launch them after the waves of arrows and sling projectiles as they advanced into battle before engaging into melee combat. implies "spear thrower".
In addition to the items that protected the Aztec warrior they also possessed advanced weaponry for their time. They built spears. However the most impressive and unique weapon at their disposal was the atlatl. A sling like weapon made primarily of wood, the atlatl allowed a skilled warrior to launch darts and javelins at a far greater range and accuracy, this piece of advanced technology was integral to the Aztec's continued victory and expansion of their empire.
The "Shorn Ones" (Cuachicqueh [kʷaˈt͡ʃikkeʔ]) was the most prestigious warrior society — their heads were shaved apart from a long braid over the left ear. Their bald heads and faces were painted one half blue and another half red or yellow. had sworn not to take a step backwards during a battle on pain of death at the hands of their comrades.(Hassig 1988: 45-46)
Stratification And Ranks
The Aztec Empire had no standing army; as such it had relied on drafting their population in times of raiding, ward or conquest. Starting at their teenage years, the young Aztec warriors in the city capital of Tenochtitlan were first taught how to survive the harsh land and after reaching maturity, they were taught the art of war. to be used as an intimidation tactic. In terms of weapons, scarcity of valuable ores meant that instead of using metals, they used obsidian. known to be remarkable brutal and efficient in battle, able to decapitate humans easily.
The sons of commoners were trained in the Tēlpochcalli [teːɬpot͡ʃˈkalːi] "house of youth" where they received basic military training and sometimes learned a trade. Children in Aztec society started their military training at the age of eight and were inducted into the army by the age of seventeen.
The Otomies (Otōntin) [oˈtoːntin]) were another warrior society who took their name after the Otomi people who were renowned for their fierce fighting. In the historical sources it is often difficult to discern whether the word otomitl "Otomi" refers to members of the Aztec warrior society, or members of the ethnic group who also often joined the Aztec armies as mercenaries or allies.
Aztec warriors were called a cuāuhocēlōtl [kʷaːwoˈseːloːt͡ɬ]. Of all of the Aztec warriors, they were the most feared. Both the jaguar and eagle Aztec warriors wore distinguishing helmets and uniforms. faces showing from within the jaguar head. The eagle Aztec warriors, on the other hand, wore feathered helmets including an open beak.
Aztec warfare concerns the aspects associated with the militaristic conventions, forces, weaponry and strategic expansions conducted by the Late Postclassic Aztec civilizations of Mesoamerica, including particularly the military history of the Aztec Triple Alliance involving the city-states of Tenochtitlan, Texcoco, Tlacopan and others allied polities of the central Mexican region.
The commoners composed the bulk of the army, the lowest were porters (tlamemeh [t͡ɬaˈmemeʔ]) who carried weapons and supplies, next came the youths(identified by the top knot hairstyle they wore) of the telpochcalli led by their sergeants (the tēlpochyahqueh [ teːɬpot͡ʃˈjaʔkeʔ] "youth leaders"). Next were the commoners yaoquizqueh. And finally there were commoners who had taken captives, the so-called tlamanih.
Ranking above these came the nobles of the "warrior societies". allowed to wear, and allowed them certain rights like being able to wear sandals, jewelry, alter their hairstyles, wear warpaint, carry flowers onto the battlefield, pierce, and tattoo themselves. These tlahuiztli became gradually more spectacular as the ranks progressed, allowing the The most excellent warriors who had taken many captives to stand out on the battlefield.
Lacking refined metals for armor the Aztec used wood, leather and cotton to defend their warriors. All Aztec warriors could wield a shield made of wood reinforced with leather and painted with various designs. in salt-water to improve it's strength. Elite warriors sometime possessed leather caps as well.
At the beginning of the 16th century, the Aztecs controlled a vast amount of territory containing 400 to 500 subjugated states. They conferred absolute power on a tlatoani, or ruler. The tlatoani Montezuma II presided over the empire at its peak, but the cross- cultural expanse of his empire was also its weakness. The Aztecs demanded regular tributes of their conquered subjects, and often these tributes took the form of human sacrificial offerings. A key pillar of the Aztec religion was the belief that the gods had given their lives to create this world, so humans were bound to repay that debt in blood. Ritual human sacrifice did not always sit well with the vassal tribes.
Over the course of 93 days, the Spanish and their allies mounted assault after assault on the Aztec defenders, gradually wearing them down. Cortés gained the support of neighboring Aztec subjects who saw the siege as an opportunity to be rid of Aztec reign for good. When they at last broke through the city's defenses, the Spanish and their indigenous allies were ruthless. They subdued the Aztecs street by street, slaughtering indiscriminately and looting what they could. Houses were burned and temples destroyed. the city his on August 13, 1521. Cuauhtémoc tried to escape with some of his loyal advisors and nobles, but they were discovered and captured, and Cuauhtémoc was later hung.
Montezuma's brother, Cuitláhuac, was named the new tlatoani, and he drove the conquistadores and their allies out of Tenochtitlán in a bloody assault known as La Noche Triste. Cortés retreated east to Tlaxcala, where his army slowly regained its strength over the course of more than five months.
Sons of nobles were trained at the calmecac [kalˈmekak] ("lineage house") and received sophisticated training in warfare from the most experienced warriors in the army, as well as in general courtly subjects such as astronomy, calendrics, rhetorics, poetry and religion .
Cortés's victory at Tenochtitlán set in motion the rapid collapse of the Aztec empire. Over the next three years, the conquistadores brought the whole of Mesoamerica under Spanish rule and established the colony of New Spain. Smallpox continued to ravage the indigenous population and cripple their capacity Further disadvantaging them was a serious gap in technological advancement. While the Spanish had access to gunpowder and steel, the indigenous tribes armoured themselves with thick cloth and animal hides and fought with macuahuitl (bladed clubs), bows, and spears These factors working against them, the tribes soon found themselves the subjects of a people arguably as merciless as the Aztecs had been before them.
This page from the Codex Mendoza shows the gradual improvements to equipment and tlahuiztli as a warrior progresses through the ranks from commoner to porter to warrior to captor, and later as a noble progressing in the warrior societies from the noble warrior to "Eagle warrior" to "Jaguar warrior" to "Otomitl" to "Shorn One" and finally as "Tlacateccatl". The Eagle Warrior, Otomitl, and Shorn One figures wear the pamitl.
The Aztecs originated from three different nomadic tribes, the Mexica, the Texcoca, and the Tepaneca, that settled in the basin of Lake Texcoco around the 13th century. Despite sharing a same language (Nahuatl), and a similar culture, these emerging city states Often warred with each other, until an alliance was made between them, known as the Triple alliance. This gave way to what would eventually become great and powerful Aztec Empire.
Tenochtitlán was situated on an artificial island in the middle of Lake Texcoco. It was connected to the mainland by three large causeways. In May 1521 Cortés and his coalition army reached the outskirts of the Aztec capital and laid siege to the city. more than 800 conquistadores and tens of thousands of indigenous warriors. He had portaged his ships from Tlaxcala in segments, and these proved useful because they enabled him to surround the city from the water and through the causeways. He loaded the ships with cannon and mounted Several assaults on Tenochtitlán while cutting off the Aztecs' food and water supply.
Tēmātlatl: A sling made from maguey fiber. The Aztecs used oval shaped rocks or hand molded clay balls filled with obsidian flakes or pebbles as projectiles for this weapon. Bernal Diaz del Castillo noted that the hail of stones flung by Aztec slingers was so furious that Even well armored Spanish soldiers were injured.
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