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days for the xiquipilli. It would have required 7,410,000 to 12,255,000 kilograms (16,336,000 to 27,018,000 pounds) of maize. Although such a journey would have been impossible through hostile territory, apparently no resistance was met en route, and additional supplies were presumably available. |
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Following the pattern adopted by Itzcoatl, Moteuczomah Ilhuicamina's initial thrust into the region was limited to clearly specified objectives. A few towns en route were conquered, not the entire region. The campaign was based on the support available from previously conquered towns and, in turn, laid the groundworkin logistics, intelligence, and Aztec reputationfor later conquests. Again the Aztecs concluded their campaign with the sacrifice of the captives, with rulers from throughout the empire in attendance.
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Such power displays were an efficient method of controlling an empire, but they required constant maintenance, and Aztec failures and unanswered affronts became seemingly disproportionate challenges to the imperial system. Thus, the following year Cozamaloapan was conquered, as was Cuauhtochco the next year in retaliation for the killing of Aztecs (see maps 7 and 8). Nevertheless, manpower limitations forced the Aztecs to be judicious in responding to threats: not all could be dealt with immediately. Thus, when the Chalcas ''revolted'' at the same time that Aztecs had been killed in Cuauhtochco, the Aztecs were forced to choose which threat was the more immediate,39 and they ignored the Chalcas. |
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In an action that was to have a major impact on the military, political, and social structures of Tenochtitlan, Moteuczomah Ilhuicamina strengthened and professionalized the military by establishing a telpochcalli in each calpolli.40 This significantly expanded the body of trained soldiers, and the Aztecs thus vastly outstripped the forces of other city-states. |
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He instituted a series of additional changes in the military structure. Distinctions were drawn between all grades of warriors, reflecting the growing power and independence of the nobility. Uniforms, insignia, and symbols of rank were rigorously controlled.41 He also established a number of sumptuary laws: only the king could wear a golden diadem in the city (though in war all the great captains and lords could do so as representatives of the king); only nobles and valiant warriors could wear sandals in the city; only nobles could wear plugs of gold and precious stones in their lips, ears, or noses, but great warriors could wear those of bone or wood; common soldiers |
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