The Aztec Warriors
Aztec society was rigid, stratified class system in which each class (or caste) had a roll designed to support the Aztec warriors. Warfare was thus the main driving force of both the Aztec economy and religion. The Aztec Empire was organized with a strong central government headed by the emperor. The priests and a warriors castes came next, they were made up of nobles who enjoyed a high status in Aztec society. These warriors formed a professional core in Aztec armies and were ranked according to their achievements on the battlefield. The bulk of Aztec armies were made up of levies, commoners required to serve time in compulsory military service. Every Aztec male was a warrior and received basic military training from a young age, whether trader, craftsman or farmer. In fact, military achievement, particularly the taking of prisoners, was the only vehicle for upward social movement available for commoners. The Aztec and Mesoamerican militaries evolved on a very different, and incredibly interesting, trajectory than those of the old world resulting in many unique, effective and gruesome weapons and tactics.
Aztec Regular Units
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. The exact size of a Calpulli most likely varied, but they were certainly impressive given the size of the Aztec armies. Twenty Calpultin (plural for Calpulli) were stationed in the Aztec capitol, Tenochtitlan, and led by the emperor’s family. Other smaller units of the Aztec army had strengths of 800, 400 or 200 warriors and were also led by noble officers. The leadership of the army, particularly the generals, would designate a successor before each battle so that if they were killed they could immediately be replaced. Aztec armies were also a companied by priests who carried effigies of their gods alongside the armies. Boys also accompanied the army as porters, carrying weapons and supplies. However the most feared aspect of the Aztec force was their specialized elite units of battle hardened professional warriors.
