THE CONQUEST OF AMERICA
THE AZTEC EMPIRE

AZ-21      The Aztec Empire , Aztec Chieftain (1pc)     US$54

This figure does not carry a standard on the back, instead has a "skin drum".
These drums were used to transmit certain orders on the battlefield.


The Aztec Empire flourished between c. 1345 and 1521 and, at its greatest extent,
covered most of northern Mesoamerica.
Aztec warriors were able to dominate their neighbouring states
permit rulers such as Motecuhzoma II to impose Aztec ideals and religion across Mexico.
Highly accomplished in agriculture and trade, the last of the great Mesoamerican civilizations was
also noted for its art and architecture which ranks amongst the finest ever produced on the continent.

The empire continued to expand from 1430 and the Aztec military - bolstered by conscription of all adult males,
men supplied from allied and conquered states, and such elite groups as the Eagle and Jaguar warriors - swept aside their rivals.
Aztec warriors wore padded cotton armour,
carried a wooden or reed shield covered in hide,
and wielded weapons such as a super sharp obsidian sword-club (macuahuitl), a spear or dart thrower (atlatl), and bow and arrows.
Elite warriors also wore spectacular feathered and animal skin costumes and headdresses to signify their rank.
Battles were concentrated in or around major cities and when these fell the victors claimed the whole surrounding territory.
Regular tributes were extracted and captives were taken back to Tenochtitlan for ritual sacrifice.
In this way the Aztec empire came to cover most of northern Mexico,
an area of some 135,000 square kilometres.

This Aztec chieftain wears a sleeveless corselet called an "ehuatl",
which was a garment of feather-covered cloth worn over cotton armour.
Senior chieftains are described as wearing a "ehuatl"of blue feathers.
Junior chieftains are described as wearing a "ehuatl" of red feathers.
Additional armour was provided by greaves,
armbands and wristlets, and a helmet made from wood,
and bone which was ornately decorated with feathers.
The greaves and armbands were generally made of gilded leather, bark or thin gold.







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