Aztec warfare Aztec warfare concerns the aspects associated with the militaristic conventions , forces , weapon ry 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 other allied polities of the central Mexican region . The Aztec armed forces were typically composed of a large number of commoners ( " yāōquīzqueh " , " those who have gone to war " ) who possessed only basic military training , and a smaller but still considerable number of professional warriors belonging to the nobility ( " pīpiltin " ) and who were organized into warrior societies and ranked according to their achievements . The Aztec state was centered around political expansion and dominance of and exaction of tribute from other city states , and warfare was the basic dynamic force in Aztec politics . Aztec society was also centered around warfare : every Aztec male received basic military training from an early age and the only possibility of upwards social mobility for commoners ( " mācehualtin " ) was through military achievement — especially the taking of captives ( " māltin " , singular " malli " ) . The sacrifice of war captives was an important part of many of the Aztec religious festivals . Warfare was thus the main driving force of both the Aztec economy and religion . Warfare in Aztec society . There were two main objectives in Aztec warfare . The first objective was political : the subjugation of enemy city states in order to exact tribute and expand Aztec political hegemony . The second objective was religious and socioeconomic : the taking of captives to be sacrificed in religious ceremonies . Captives lived in a house called a " malcalli " . These dual objectives also influenced the kind of warfare practiced by the Aztecs . Most warfare was primarily political and was driven by the expectations of the Aztec nobility for the " Tlahtoāni " to provide economic growth through expansion and the expectation of the commoners to have a chance of moving up in society through successful warfare . The first action of a ruler elect was always to stage a military campaign which served the dual purpose of showing his ability as a warrior and thus make it clear to subject polities that his rule would be as tough on any rebellious conduct as that of his predecessor , and to provide abundant captives for his coronation ceremony . A failed coronation campaign was seen as an extremely bad omen for the rule of a Tlatoani and could lead to rebellions of city states subjected by earlier rulers and to the Aztec nobility distrusting his ability to rule — this was the case for Tizoc who was poisoned by the Aztec nobles after several failed military campaigns . The Nahuatl word for war is " mītl chīmalli " ( literally " arrow " " shield " ) . Fortifications . The Aztecs didn ' t normally maintain tight territorial control within their empire but nonetheless there are examples of fortifications built by the Aztecs . Prominent examples are the strongholds at Oztuma ( " Oztōmān " ) where the Aztecs built a garrison to keep the rebellious Chontal es in 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 Otomi es 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 . Flower War . A second kind of warfare practiced by the Aztecs was referred to as Flower war ( " xōchiyāōyōtl " ) . This kind of warfare was fought by smaller armies after previous arrangement between the parties involved . It was not aimed directly at conquering the enemy city state , but served a number of other purposes . One often cited purpose is the taking of sacrificial captives and this was certainly an important part of most Aztec warfare . Friar Diego Durán and the chronicles based on the Crónica X states that the Xochiyayoyotl was instigated by Tlacaelel during the great Mesoamerica n famine of 1450 - 1454 under the reign of Moctezuma I . These sources state that Tlacaelel arranged with the leaders of Tlaxcala , Cholula , and Huexotzinca , and Tliliuhquitepec to engage in ritual battles that would provide all parties with enough sacrificial victims to appease the gods . Ross Hassig ( 1988 ) however poses four main political purposes of " xochiyaoyotl " : 1 . ) this kind of warfare gave the Aztecs a chance to demonstrate their military might . Since the Aztec army was larger than their adversaries that were normally smaller city states and since the number of combatants on each side were fixed , the Aztec army were sending a much smaller percentage of their total forces than their opponents . Losing a Flower War would then be less damaging for the Aztec army than for its opponents . 2 . ) This also meant that an objective was attrition — the large Aztec army could afford to engage in small scale warfare much more frequently than their opponents who would then gradually tire until they were ripe for actual conquest . 3 . ) It also allowed a ruler to maintain hostilities , at low intensity , while occupied by other matters . 4 . ) Mainly Xochiyaoyotl served as propaganda both towards other city states and to the Aztec people allowing the Aztec rulers to continuously demonstrate their might with a constant influx of war captives to Tenochtitlan . 5 . ) At times when the opposing side knew that the Aztecs would defeat them , they would work out a deal instead of actually having a continuum war . The opposing side would ask the Aztecs if they were to have a war how many of their people they would kill . In thus the opposing side would come up with a number and that is how many people the Aztecs would take as something known as “ Flower Rewards ” , and then they would sacrifice their souls to god so to say . However the Spaniards simply believed that their own role was to basically to Christianize the Aztec people , plain and simple . < / ref > Organization . The Aztec army was organized into two groups . The commoners were organized into " wards " ( " calpōlli " ) that were under the leadership of " tiachcahuan " ( " leaders " ) and " calpoleque " ( " calpulli owners " ) . The nobles were organized into professional warrior societies . Apart from the " Tlatoani " the war leaders of the Aztecs were the High General , the " Tlacochcalcatl " ( " The man from the house of darts " ) and the General the " Tlācateccatl " " Cutter of men " ) . The Tlacochcalcatl and Tlacateccatl also had to name successors prior to any battle so that if they died they could be immediately replaced . Priests also took part in warfare , carrying the effigies of deities into battle alongside the armies . The army also had little boys about the age of twelve along with them serving as porters and messengers , this was mainly for training measures . The image below shows the Tlacateccatl and the Tlacochcalcatl and two other officers ( probably priests ) known as " Huitznahuatl " and " Ticocyahuacatl " , all dressed in their " tlahuiztli " suits : Training . Sons of nobles were trained at the " calmecac " ( " 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 . The sons of commoners were trained in the " Tēlpochcalli " " 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 . Stratification and ranks . The commoners composed the bulk of the army , the lowest were porters ( " tlamemeh " ) 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 " " youth leaders " ) . Next were the commoners " yaoquizqueh " . And finally there were commoners who had taken captives , the so - called " tlamanih . " " captors " . Ranking above these came the nobles of the " warrior societies " . These were ranked according to the number of captives they had taken in previous battles ; the number of captives determined which of the different suits of honor ( called " tlahuiztli " ) they were 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 most excellent warriors who had taken many captives to stand out on the battlefield . The higher ranked warriors were also called " Pipiltin " . Warrior societies . 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 ranks . 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 . Cuextecatl . Two captive warriors , recognizable by their red and black tlahuiztli . Papalotl . Three captive warriors , this rank wore " butterflie " like banners on their back . Eagle and Jaguar warriors . Aztec warriors were called a " cuāuhocēlōtl " . The word " cuāuhocēlōtl " derives from the Eagle warrior " cuāuhtli " and the Jaguar Warrior " ocēlōtl " . Those Aztec warriors who demonstrated the most bravery and who fought well became either jaguar or eagle warriors after capturing four captives during battle . Of all of the Aztec warriors , they were the most feared . Both the jaguar and eagle Aztec warriors wore distinguishing helmets and uniforms . The jaguars were identifiable by the jaguar skins they wore over their entire body , with only their faces showing from within the jaguar head . The eagle Aztec warriors , on the other hand , wore feathered helmets including an open beak . Otomies . The Otomies ( " Otōntin " ) ) 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 . The Shorn Ones . The " Shorn Ones " ( " Cuachicqueh " ) 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 . They 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 ) Equipment . Ranged weapons . " 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 . This weapon was considered by the 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 . Warriors 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 . The " ahtlatl " could also throw spears as its name implies " spear thrower " . Tlahhuitolli : The Aztec war bow , constructed from the wood of the tepozan tree , about five feet long and stringed with animal - sinew . Mīcomitl : The Aztec arrow quiver , usually made out of animal hide , it could hold about twenty arrows . " Yāōmītl : " War arrows with barbed obsidian , chert , flint , or bone points . Typically fletched with turkey or duck feathers . " 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 . " 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 . Melee weapons . " Macuahuitl : " ( Hungry wood ) This weapon was supposed to represent the Aztec God Tezcalipoca . Essentially a wooden sword with sharp obsidian blades embedded into its sides ( similar in appearance and build to a modern cricket bat ) . This was the standard 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 . " Cuahuitl " : A baton made out of hardwood ( more than likely oak ) , reminiscent of the agave plant ' s leafs in its shape . " Tepoztopilli : " Wooden spear with a broad head edged with sharp obsidian blades . " Cuauholōlli : " A mace like weapon , the handle was made out of wood topped with a wooden , rock , or copper ball or sphere . " ītztōpīlli : " Basically an axe , 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 . " Macuahuitzoctli " : A club with a knob on each of its four sides and a pointed tip . " Huitzauhqui : " This weapon was meant to represent the Aztec God Huitzilopochtli . 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 . " 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 . Armor . " Chimalli " : Shields made with different materials such as the wooden shield " " cuauhchimalli " " or maize cane " " otlachimalli " " . There were also ornamental shields decorated with motifs made in featherwork , these were called " māhuizzoh chimalli " . " 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 . " Ēhuatl " : ( literally " skin " ) The tunic that some noble warriors wore over their cotton armour or tlahuiztli . Hassig ( 1988 ) , p . 88 " 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 . Usually made of a single piece of 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 . " Cuacalalatli " : The Aztec war helmet , carved out of hardwood . Shaped to represent different animals like howler monkeys , predatory cats , birds , coyotes , or Aztec deities . These helmets covered most of a warriors head down to the jaw line , the design allowed the warrior to see through the animals mouth and they were unique to the wearer ' s tlahuiztli . " Pāmitl " : The identifying emblems that officers and famous warriors wore on their backs , similar to the Japanese Uma - jirushi . These were frequently unique to their wearers . Campaigns and battles . Once the decision of going to war was made the news were proclaimed in the plazas calling for mobilization of the army for several days or weeks in advance . When the troops were ready and any allied cities had been alerted and had given their consent to partake in the campaign the march began . Usually the first to march were the priests carrying the effigies , the next day the nobles marched led by the Tlacochcalcatl and Tlacateccatl . And on the third day the main bulk of the army set out with the Tenochca marching first followed by the warriors from the other cities in the alliance ( Tepanecas and Texcocas ) and lastly the allied forces from other cities , some of these subject cities would also join in gradually during the march as the army passed by their cities . Thanks to the efficient system of roads maintained throughout central Mexico the army marched an estimated average of 19 - 32 kilometers per day . The size of the Aztec army varied considerably from small contingents of a few thousand warriors to large armies with tens to hundreds of thousands of warriors . In the war against Coixtlahuacan the Aztec army numbered 200 , 000 warriors and 100 , 000 porters . Other sources mention Aztec armies of up to 700 , 000 men . Combat . Battles ( sometimes called in Nahuatl by the metaphorical diphrasism " ātl tlachinolli " ( literally " water fire " ) usually started at dawn but sometimes during the middle of the day — smoke signals were used to show that a battle was beginning and to coordinate attacks between different divisions of the army . The signal to attack was given by the drums and the conch shell trumpet " quiquiztli " blown by the trumpeter . Usually the battle began with projectile fire — the bulk of the army was composed of commoners often armed with bows or slings . Then the warriors advanced into melee combat and during this phase , the " atlatl " was used — this missile weapon was more effective over shorter distances than slings and bows , and much more lethal . The first warriors to enter into melee were the most distinguished warriors of the " Cuachicque " and the " Otontin " societies ; then came the Eagles and Jaguars ; and lastly the commoners and unpracticed youths . Until entering into melee order rank was maintained and the Aztecs would try to surround or outflank the enemy , but once the melee began the ranks dissolved into a fray of individual hand - to - hand fighting . Youths participating in battle for the first time would usually not be allowed to fight before the Aztec victory was ensured , after which they would try to capture prisoners from the fleeing enemy . It is said that , particularly during flower wars , Aztec warriors would try to capture rather than kill their foes , sometimes striving to cut a hamstring or otherwise incapacitate their opponents . This has been used as an argument to explain the defeat of the Aztecs by the Spanish but this argument has been rejected by many historians — since sources clearly state that Aztecs did kill their Spanish opponents whenever they had the chance , and quickly adapted their combat strategies to their new opponents . Other Aztec tactical maneuvers included feigned retreats and ambushes where small portions of Aztec forces would attack and then fall back and lure the enemy into a trap where many more warriors were hidden in the terrain . If a defending enemy retreated into their city the battle was continued there — but normally the objective was to conquer a city not destroy it . Once the city was conquered the main temple would be set on fire signaling far and wide , to all concerned , the Aztec victory . If enemies still refused to surrender the rest of the city could be burned as well , but this was uncommon . Notes . 9 . http : / / www . mexicolore . co . uk / aztecs / ask - us / aztec - shields References . Lockhart , James ( ed . and trans . ) ( 1993 ) ; We People Here : Nahuatl Accounts of the Conquest of Mexico . Berkeley : University of California Press .