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Osprey Warrior 32 : Aztec Warrior 1325-1521 AD
According to one popular image, the Aztec army was a ruthless and efficient war machine, that established an empire by convincingly overwhelming its neighbours, sacrificing thousands to bloodthirsty gods along the way. From a contrasting perspective, its native warriors were no match for the modern warring methods of Cortés' greatly outnumbered Spaniards, who decisively defeated them. The reality of the Aztec warrior's ability and effectiveness lies somewhere between those two extremes, as this book makes clear. By examining the experiences of a hypothetical individual, Cuauhtli, this meticulously researched book shows that the history of Aztec warfare is much richer and far more complex than previously understood. There is revealed the close relationship between social and military matters in Aztec society, and the intricate link between the economic gains of conquest and the maintenance of both the social elite and the ranks of its colourful and fearsome warriors. Text by John Pohl with illustrations by Adam Hook.
Contents
- Introduction
- A Child is Sworn to Service
- The Story of Tenochtitlan
- Chronology of Principal Events 1325-1521 AD
- Early years - The Genesis of the Warrior
- Training
- Weaponry and Protection
- Dress and Distinction
- Campaign and Supply
- Field Combat
- Bringing Home the War - Aztec Religion and Ritual
- Notes
- Bibliography
- Glossary
- Colour Plate Commentary
- Index
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Osprey Warrior
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