The Daily Life of the Aztecs on the Eve of the Spanish Conquest.

Soustelle, Jacques; O'Brian, Patrick

doi:10.2307/2511720

Cited by 18 publications

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“…Nevertheless, taking captives is still seen as a major concern. Often this ritualized inflexibility is contrasted with Spanish pragmatism, which has been used to explain Spanish success during the Spanish-Mexica War (Soustelle 2002). This portrays the Mexica warrior as a lone wolf with little knowledge of tactics, strategy, or unit cohesion, who lacked the motivation and ability to kill his enemy.…”

Section: Warriors and Battlefield Tacticsmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Reevaluation of the Role of War Captives in the Aztec Empire

Martin

2022

Latin Am. antiq.

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Traditionally, historians believed that taking captives was a major goal in Mexica warfare, and this tendency has even been given as a reason why the Spanish conquistadors defeated the Mexica. Although historians have largely revised these conclusions, the perception that captives were important to Aztec strategy and warfare persists. In this article I argue that the need for captives was not great enough to affect Aztec military strategy or battlefield conduct. First, rituals only needed a small number of victims, which could easily be acquired through the normal course of battle, and thus did not constitute a specific objective. Second, Mexica strategy focused on economic objectives, rather than captive taking. Finally, individual warriors were not well equipped to take prisoners. Although captives played a vital role in Mexica society, the practice should be thought of as opportunistic, rather than strategic.

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Section: Warriors and Battlefield Tacticsmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Reevaluation of the Role of War Captives in the Aztec Empire

Martin

2022

Latin Am. antiq.

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Ethical Issues in Mayas and Nahuas’ Religious Conception of Man

Valenzuela

Camino

2010

Volume 10: Philosophy of Religion

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Everyday Life in the Aztec World

Berdan

Smith

2020

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It was a privilege to be in his company at that moment. The entire city was cheering his return, and we could hear the drums and conch shells announcing his victory from the temple heights. Behind me, Ahuitzotl sat regally on his litter, the platform dripping with shimmering feathers and aromatic flowers, and carried by four stout men. Ahead of us trudged long lines of wailing and dejected war captives, for we had vanquished our rebellious foes to the northeast: the belligerent Huaxtecs. The celebration will go on for days with feasting, dancing, singing, gift-giving, visits from neighboring kings, and ultimately the sacrifice of these captives. With these extravagant celebrations, all the world will be reminded that Ahuitzotl is the all-powerful king and emperor. This day is his, but once I see to the proper observances at the temple and palace, I will not turn down a good meal and a little leisure time in the temazcalli, the cleansing sweat bath. It will help clear my mind. It is an honor to serve my cousin Ahuitzotl as Tlacateccatl. I carry the same military title as he did under his brother Tizoc, and as Tizoc did under his brother Axayacatl. Perhaps I will continue this tradition and someday become lord of these rich lands. It is in the hands of fate and the gods. So mused Tzontemoc Tlacateccatl as the Mexica army triumphantly entered Tenochtitlan. He was Ahuitzotl's cousin and an extremely important man in the Mexica government, so important that his exalted title, Tlacateccatl, was attached to his name. He was of noble blood, scarred in wars abroad, and skilled in diplomacy. He served Ahuitzotl in the empire's capital city and in his ruler's military campaigns, but harbored his own ambitions. And he knew Mexica politics, and his ruler, very well. Nonetheless, his own ambitions will not be fulfilled.

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The Daily Life of the Aztecs on the Eve of the Spanish Conquest.

Cited by 18 publications

References 0 publications

A Reevaluation of the Role of War Captives in the Aztec Empire

A Reevaluation of the Role of War Captives in the Aztec Empire

Ethical Issues in Mayas and Nahuas’ Religious Conception of Man

Everyday Life in the Aztec World

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