Aztec+Warrior

 The Aztec Warrior:

A man’s status as a warrior in Aztec society was that of respect and elevated rank. At birth, it was not uncommon for a boy’s umbilical cord to be dried and buried on a battlefield signifying the profession the boy might one day attain. All children in Aztec society were given an education. The difference for males born to a commoner and one born into an elite family is the amount of specific military training they may receive before entering the army.

Any man was eligible to join the army. Men of a lower social class could easily rise to a position of prestige due to his prowess on the battlefield. Novice fighters were not considered to be fully part of the Aztec army until they captured their first prisoner. Some scholars suggest that a man’s rank in the army was determined by the number of people he captured rather than killed.

Weapons/Armor:

Aztec warriors had a vast array of weapons available with which to wage wars. Some were used for distance and others for hand-to-hand combat, all required skill and training to utilize.

The bow and arrow (tlahuitolli and yaomime) and the slingshot (tematlatl) were the long distance weapons. The soldiers using these weapons generally did not need additional training, since they were also used for non-militaristic purposes such as hunting. The range for the bow was approximately 450 feet.



Swords (macuahuitl) and short spears (tepoztopilli) were the close range weapons used by soldiers who had received specialized training since their use was limited to warfare. The macuahuitl was a wooden sword that utilized a stone or obsidian blade. The tepoztopilli, also called the thrusting spear, was helpful in close quarters and was probably not thrown.

In order to gain distance and power while throwing a spear, the soldier would use an atlatl. The atlatl had a shorter range than a bow, but maintained devastating power at short range; enough to enable the spear to penetrate the cotton armor of an opposing soldier. The atlatl would have been carved out of wood and elaborately decorated.

 Aztec warriors wore extremely elaborate costumes that would distinguish rank and/or military order. For example, the Jaguar (ocelomeh) and Eagle (quauntin) warriors would wear costumes resembling their respective animals. Members of the Aztec elite and other high ranking members of the army would wear costumes that were brightly colored. Veteran members of the army would wear armor, generally made out of cotton, under their costumes and might carry a shield. Novices did not wear any armor.

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