The Aztec society had a strong central government which was supported by the military. Role of the military (Aztec Empire, n.d.)Īztec society was a stratified system in which each social class had a role designed to support the Aztec military or what they used to call, Aztec warriors. This article looks at the reasons behind warfare in the Aztec Empire, the training of soldiers and military tactics. War, therefore, was a major part of Aztec society and successful Aztec warriors received high honours. Aztecs engaged in war for two primary reasons: for conquest to reap tribute or to take captives for religious sacrifices necessary to satisfy the gods. The Aztec Empire maintained its supremacy by war or threat of war against its neighbouring areas. It also includes links to descriptions of some of the weapons Aztec warriors used in battle.Īztec warriors fighting for conquest and captives (History on the Net, n.d.) This article talks bout the size of the Aztec army and how it was organised. This article discusses Aztec warfare in-depth, including the weapon and armour they used and the role it played in Aztec mythology. The Aztecs were so accomplished in combat that they eventually forged an empire which covered 200,000 square kilometres and, at the height of their power, they extracted tribute from 371 city-states across 38 provinces. Warfare was a fundamental part of Aztec culture with all males expected to actively participate and battle, referred to in Nahuatl poetry as 'the song of shields', was regarded as a perpetual religious and political necessity. The Aztecs engaged in warfare ( yaoyotl) to acquire territory, resources, quash rebellions, and to collect sacrificial victims to honour their gods. This article discusses the role of the military and warriors in Aztec society.Īztec warfare (World History Encyclopaedia, 2015, March 18) Warfare brought power and much wealth to the Aztecs, the wealth helped pay for the updates they had to their magnificent capital city. The Aztecs were almost always in war, so that meant there were many prisoners, especially since it was encouraged to capture others. After battles to appeal to the gods, the warriors would sacrifice prisoners. The ritual purposes supported the belief of the Aztec gods it was believed that the gods granted the Aztec rulers the right to rule. The political purpose was to defend the empire as well as expanding it. In the Aztec Empire, warfare contributed to both political purposes as well as ritual purposes. Read through the resources below to learn more about the warrior class in Aztec culture and the weapons they sued in war.Īztec military (Aztec Empire Project, n.d.)Īztec warriors served the ruler of the empire. The warriors were highly trained and ferocious in battle to achieve military success. Warfare was essential to keeping the empire strong, capturing new lands, gathering resources and taking prisoners captive for either slavery or sacrifice. War was central to Aztec culture, and warriors held a special position within Aztec society.
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