War and warfare in Aztec society (13th - 16th centuries)

By the time Cortez’ fleet appeared off the Mexican coast (1519) a large part of the territory of Central Mexico was ruled over by the mighty state of the Aztecs (or rather an alliance of three city-states - Tenochtitlan, Texcoco and Tlacopan - in which Tenochtitlan played the leading role). Closer knowledge of the fighting skills of this Indian people is of particular interest for a number of reasons. Firstly, the history of the Aztec state is described in considerable detail in the written sources, including memoirs and reports by contemporaries and those who took part in the dramatic events connected with the Spaniards’ conquest of Mexico. Secondly, at the time when the Indians clashed with the European conquerors, the Aztec state had only recently taken shape and the formative process was still underway. This means that we are focusing our attention here on the most archaic form of statehood. Thirdly, the life of Aztec society was permeated with a spirit of militarism and the endless wars of conquest beyond the confines of its own territory became the leading political principle of the rulers of Tenochtitlan-Mexico. This means that we are granted a unique opportunity, thanks to the detailed written testimony, to learn not merely about the weapons used by Indian warriors in the era of their early statehood, but also about the ways various types of war were organized and waged and also about the kinds of plunder which the victors obtained.