How was the Aztec military organized?

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The Aztec army was well organized and with a well organized command structure. The common warriors were formed up into companies called Calpulli. Each Calpulli was further divided into fourths and led by nobles from the region were the troops were recruited.



Correspondingly, how was the Aztec government organized?

The Aztec government was similar to a monarchy where an Emperor or King was the primary ruler. They called their ruler the Huey Tlatoani. He decided when to go to war and what tribute the lands he ruled would pay the Aztecs. When an emperor died, the new emperor was chosen by a group of high ranking nobles.

One may also ask, who was in the Aztec military? The Aztec Army The military commander-in-chief was the king himself, the tlatoani. He was assisted by his second-in-command, who had the title cihuacoatl. Joining these two in a war council were four more of the highest ranking nobles, typically relatives of the king.

Similarly one may ask, did the Aztecs have a strong military?

The Aztec warrior was highly honored in society if he was successful. Success depended on bravery in battle, tactical skill, heroic deeds and most of all, in capturing enemy warriors. Since every boy and man received military training, all were called for battle when war was in the offing.

How did Aztecs become warriors?

Aztec Warrior Training. Aztec boys were born to be part of the military to become a brave warrior, and to grow into this role it was essential for them to endure their warrior training. The young Aztec boys would be taught to manage rations and would be duly punished if they were to over-eat.

39 Related Question Answers Found

Who made the Aztec laws?

Aztec laws were based on royal decrees and on customs that had been passed down from generation to generation. These laws were also interpreted and applied by Aztec judges in the various court systems.

Did the Aztecs have enemies?

Another enemy of the Aztecs was the Mayans. These people were highly skilled, had far superior weapons than the Aztecs. They were the Spaniards; the conquistadors or the conquerors. Not only did they defeat the Aztecs and destroyed their empire, but they also defeated the Mayans.

Who were Aztecs?

The Aztecs were a Mesoamerican people of central Mexico in the 14th, 15th and 16th century. They were a civilization with a rich mythology and cultural heritage. Their capital was Tenochtitlan on the shore of Lake Texcoco – the site of modern-day Mexico City.

Who ruled the Mayans?

The Mayans developed a hierarchical government ruled by kings and priests. They lived in independent city-states consisting of rural communities and large urban ceremonial centers. There were no standing armies, but warfare played an important role in religion, power and prestige.

What did the Aztecs invent?


The Aztecs are credited with a number of inventions, but in reality, most of their "inventions" were already well-known in Central America. It's more accurate to say the Aztecs popularized inventions such as popcorn and chewing gum by introducing them to the Spanish conquerors.

How did the Aztecs end?

With the help of the Aztecs' native rivals, Cortes mounted an offensive against Tenochtitlan, finally defeating Cuauhtemoc's resistance on August 13, 1521. In all, some 240,000 people were believed to have died in the city's conquest, which effectively ended the Aztec civilization.

What was the Aztec Technology?

Aztec Technology: Weapons and Weaponry
Aztec technology used for making weapons mainly relied on the use of stone and copper. This was because Aztecs did not have access to iron and bronze. Before the use of copper for making weapons, they mainly relied on obsidian and chert.

What wars did the Aztecs fight?

The ritual wars of the Aztec Empire were known as xochiyaoyotl, or flowery wars (often called flower wars). The Aztecs did fight traditional wars as well, but flowery wars were different. They weren't fought to conquer an enemy; they were fought simply to fight.

Who was the greatest Aztec warrior?

Ahuitzotl. Ahuitzotl, (died 1503), eighth king of the Aztecs, under whose reign (1486–1503) the Aztec empire reached its greatest extent.

Did the Aztecs have guns?


The Aztecs did use metal weapons. The Aztecs used obsidian and flint weapons for purposes obsidian and flint were better for (cutting and piercing) and used metal weapons for purposes they were better for (bludgeoning and some axes).

Who were the most feared Aztec warriors?

The word cuāuhocēlōtl derives from the eagle warrior cuāuhtli and the jaguar warrior ocēlōtl [oˈseːloːt??]. These military orders were made up of the bravest soldiers of noble birth and those who had taken the greatest number of prisoners in battle. Of all of the Aztec warriors, they were the most feared.

What were Aztec weapons made out of?

Known as the Aztec sword, this weapon was not a real sword cast in metal but made from oak wood. Its edges were set with obsidian blades (volcanic glass), and Aztec warriors used these to slash throats and inflict painful wounds that caused heavy bleeding.

When was the Macuahuitl invented?

Macuahuitl
Place of origin Mexico
Service history
In service Classic to Post-Classic stage (900–1570)
Used by Mesoamerican civilizations, including Aztecs Indian auxiliaries of Spain

What did the Aztec eat?

The Aztec diet was dominated by fruit and vegetables, as domesticated animals were limited to dogs, turkeys (totolin), ducks, and honey bees. Game (especially rabbits, deer and wild pigs), fish, birds, salamanders, algae (used to make cakes), frogs, tadpoles and insects were also a valuable food source.

What does the Jaguar mean in Aztec culture?


Along with the Aztecs and Mayans, the Inca also built temples to the jaguar. The jaguar is representative of power, ferocity, and valor; he is the embodiment of aggressiveness. For some, the jaguar represents the power to face one's fears, or to confront one's enemies.

What weapons did the Spanish use?

The Spanish horsemen generally had two sorts of weapons: lances and swords. Their lances were long wooden spears with iron or steel points on the ends, used to devastating effect on masses of native foot soldiers. In close combat, a rider would use his sword.

What were the Aztecs known for?

The Aztecs were famous for their agriculture, cultivating all available land, introducing irrigation, draining swamps, and creating artificial islands in the lakes. They developed a form of hieroglyphic writing, a complex calendar system, and built famous pyramids and temples.