|
|
|
|
|
|
|
PART ONE
WAR IN AZTEC LIFE |
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
Most of their Weapons were Bows and Arrows: The Bow-Strings were made of the Sinews of Beasts, or of Thongs of Deer-Skin twisted; and their Arrows, for want of Iron, were headed with Bones ground sharp, or Fish-Bones. They used also a kind of Darts, which sometimes they threw; and at others they managed like a Pike, as Occasion required. They had likewise long Swords, which they used with both Hands, as we do our Scimitars or Falchions, made of Wood, in which they fixed sharp Flints. The strongest of them had Clubs, pointed with Flints. And there were Slingers, who threw Stones with great Force and Skill. The defensive Arms, which were only used by Commanders and Persons of Distinction, were Coats of quilted Cotton, ill-fitted Breast-Plates, and Shields of Wood or Tortoise-Shell, adorned with Plates of such Metal as they could get; and some made use of Gold as we do of Iron. The rest were naked; and all of them deformed with various Dies and Colours with which they painted their Faces and Bodies; a Martial Sort of Ornament, which they made use of to strike a Terror into their Enemies, believing that Ugliness made them appear dreadful; as Tacitus relates of the Arii, a People in Germany, and remarks that an Impression on the Eye is the first Step to Victory. Their Heads were covered with divers Plumes of Feathers, like Crowns, raised high to make them appear taller. They had also warlike Instruments, and Musick, with which they animated their Soldiers, and gave Signals; as Flutes made of great Canes; Sea-Shells; and a Sort of Drums, made of the Trunk of a Tree, so hollowed, and made thin, that they answered to the Stroke of the Stick a very displeasing Sound, but seemed well suited to the Ears of those People. They |
|
|
|
|
|