Aztec Warfare: Imperial Expansion and Political Control

424 Pages·1988·14.472 MB·English

by  Ross Hassig

Aztec Warfare
The Civilization of the American Indian Series

A ztec Warfare
Imperial Expansion and Political Control
By Ross Hassig
University of Oklahoma Press : Norman and London
By Ross Hassig
(Translator and editor, with J. Richard Andrews) Hernando Ruiz de Alarcon,
Treatise on the Heathen Superstitions and Customs That Today Live
Among the Indians Native to This New Spain (Norman, 1984)
Trade, Tribute, and Transportation: The Sixteenth-Century Political Econ­
omy of the Valley of Mexico (Norman, 1985)
Aztec Warfare: Imperial Expansion and Political Control (Norman, 1988)
Library of Congress Catalogmg-in-Publication Data
Hassig, Ross, 1945-
Aztec warfare.
(The Civilization of the American Indian series;
v. 188)
Bibliography: p. 361
Includes index.
1. Aztecs—Politics and government. 2. Aztecs—
Wars. 3. Indians of Mexico—Politics and government.
4. Indians of Mexico—Wars. 5. Mexico—Antiquities.
I. Title. H. Series.
F1219.76.P75H37 1988 972'.01 87-40553
ISBN 0-8061-2121-1 (alk. paper)
The paper in this book meets the guidelines for permanence and durability
of the Committee on Production Guidelines for Book Longevity of the
Council on Library Resources, Inc.
Copyright © 1988 by the University of Oklahoma Press, Norman, Publish­
ing Division of the University. Manufactured in the U.S.A. First edition.
To J. Richard Andrews
Huei Nahuatlahtoh, Ixpetz, Nicniuhtzin

Contents
Preface xiii
Note on Orthography xvii
Chapter 1 Introduction 3
Part One War in Aztec Life 15
Chapter 2 The Political Bases of Aztec Warfare 17
Chapter 3 The Military Life Cycle 27
Chapter 4 Declaration, Preparation, and Mobilization 48
Chapter 5 The March and the Encampment 63
Chapter 6 Arms and Armor 75
Chapter 7 Combat 95
Chapter 8 Victory (or Defeat) and Its Aftermath 110
Part Two The History of Aztec Expansion 123
Chapter 9 The Preimperial Kings 125
Chapter 10 Itzcoatl 141
Chapter 11 Moteuczomah llhuicamina 157
Chapter 12 Axayacatl 176
Chapter 13 Tizoc 189
Chapter 14 Ahuitzotl 200
Chapter 15 Moteuczomah Xocoyotl 219
Chapter 16 The Spanish Conquest 236
Chapter 17 Conclusion 251
Glossary 269
Notes 273
References 361
Index 383
vii

Illustrations and Maps
Figures
1. Detail from bench in the House of the Eagle Warriors,
Templo Mayor 37
2. Priests and warriors, in various attire 38
3. The taking of captives 44
4. Warriors of various grades in the Tenochtitlan 57
5. Priests and warriors on the way to war and in battle 69
6. Aztec atlatl 76
7. Aztec warriors in conflict with Spaniards 77
8. Warrior with atlatl, darts, and shield 78
9. Matlatzinca slingers 81
10. Sword and thrusting spear 82
11. Two Tlaxcallan nobles with swords 84
12. Aztec feathered shield 87
13. Nezahualcoyotl, king of Tetzcoco, dressed in war attire 89
14. Aztec knives 91
15. Tribute list for the province of Hueipochtlan 93
16. Gladitorial sacrifice 120
17. Acamapichtli 129
18. Huitzilihhuitl 133
19. Chimalpopoca 137
20. Itzcoatl 142
21. War with Azcapotzalco 144
22. War with Coyohuacan 146
23. Moteuczomah Ilhuicamina 158
24. Axayacatl 177
IX
X AZTEC WARFARE
25. TÍZOC 190
26. Detail from the Stone of Tízoc 191
27. Ahuitzotl 201
28. Templo Mayor 206
29. Skull rack 207
30. Moteuczomah Xocoyotl 220
31. Spaniards fighting the Aztecs during the siege of Tenochti-
tlan 239
32. Tlaxcaltec entry into the Tenochtitlan ward of Tetzi-
cuauhtitlan during the Spanish siege 240
33. Spanish attack on Ayotochcuitlatlan 247
Chart
1. The relationship of the Aztec kings 126
Maps
1. Topography of central and southern Mexico and western
Guatemala 6
2. Ethnic areas in the basin of Mexico 127
3. Cities within and adjacent to the basin of Mexico acces­
sible by easy marches over gentle terrain 131
4. Areas of campaigns by the preimperial kings 135
5. ItzcoatTs campaigns north, west, and south of the basin of
Mexico and into present-day Guerrero 153
6. Moteuczomah Ilhuicamina's campaigns into present-day
Morelos and Guerrero 160
7. Moteuczomah Ilhuicamina's campaigns into present-day
Puebla, the Gulf coast, and the Huaxtec region 164
8. Moteuczomah Ilhuicamina's campaigns into the Gulf
coast and the Huaxyacac region 167
9. Axayacatl's preinaugural raid into the Tecuantepec area 178
10. Axayacatl's campaigns into present-day Puebla, the Gulf
coast, and the Huaxtec area 180
11. Axayacatl's campaigns into the valley of Tolocan, present-
day Guerrero, and north of the basin of Mexico and the
Tarascan incursion 182
12. Tizoc's preinaugural raid against Metztitlan and the Huax­
tec area and into the valley of Tolocan 192