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These towns were among the Aztecs' most distant conquests to date, which made Moteuczomah Ilhuicamina's feat a particularly effective demonstration of his power and ability. However, these conquests were the result not only of the king's abilities but also of the groundwork established by his predecessor. |
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By the shortest route, the entire campaign required a march of 835 kilometers (518 miles), or 26 to 44 days, plus additional days for battles, rest, and march spacing between the participating xiquipilli.
13 What made these distant conquests feasible was following Itzcoatl's itinerary so the army could draw logistical support from tributaries en route. The Aztec armies were never more than one or two days from a supporting town except for the southernmost extension (when they were four days away). |
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Cuauhnahuac and Ocuillan, both easily within the reach of Aztec armies, were also conquered (or reconquered).14 Towns to the east and south of Cuauhnahuac were also probably acquired during this campaign: Tepoztlan, Xiuhtepec, Yauhtepec, Huaxtepec, Totolapan, Atlatlauhyan, Yacapichtlan, Tecpantzinco, and, possibly, Itzyocan15 (see map 6), but it is likely that they simply capitulated following the defeat of Cuauhnahuac and Ocuillan. However, it is unclear whether this expansion was part of the Guerrero conquests.16 |
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The army's passage also had a consolidating effect on the rest of the area. By marching through cities that were not targets of the immediate campaign, the Aztecs effectively solicited pledges of allegiance at a time that was most advantageous to themselves. The local rulers could either acknowledge support and provide the Aztec army with supplies, or they could oppose them militarily. Although the rulers knew that the Aztecs were approaching in full fighting form, they did not have enough advance notice to muster and retrain an army. Thus, even if the local rulers might have opposed the Aztecs under ideal conditions, they could not. |
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