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three periods reflecting different phases of the overall campaign. The first thrust was west into the valley of Tolocan during the campaign season of 147576. The next movement was south from Tolocan during 147677. And the final phase was directed north from Tolocan during 147778 (see map 11). |
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There were two Aztec pretexts for the first western incursion. One account states that the lord of Tenantzinco requested assistance against Tolocan; Tecualocan is named as the threat by another account. Another says that Aztec messengers sent to Tolocan for materials for the temple of Huitzilopochtli were refused and on that pretext the Aztecs began the war. However, the Tarascans had previously attempted to expand into the area between their empire and the Aztecs', attacking Xiquipilco. Although they were repulsed, the Aztecs sought to prevent an alliance between that region and the Tarascan Empire in Michhuacan (Michoacan).
26 Conquering the area would preempt Tarascan expansion in the region, enlist additional allies that would be particularly helpful in case of further expansion to the west, and create a logistical support area permitting more rapid movement of troops. |
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Unlike other areas of central Mexico, where there were many major city-states, the Tarascans lacked significant competitors in their area, yet they were powerful enough to persuade and/or force many other cities to become tributaries of their empire. But they were not immediately threatened by the Aztecs because of their distance from the basin of Mexico. In fact, the Tarascan consolidation was facilitated by the position between the two competing empires of smaller towns, which were forced to choose an alliance with one empire or the other. |
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Control of these small towns was politically necessary for the domination of the area and militarily pivotal for any further expansion. Thus, when the Aztecs expanded westward, Axayacatl ordered the army not to kill many Matlatzincas.27 Accordingly, in the battle for Tolocan, Axayacatl again used deception and ambush to strike a decisive blow that would end the battle without killing large numbers of the enemy. He and eight of his leading warriors camouflaged themselves with straw. When the Aztec army feigned withdrawal, the Tolocas advanced, whereupon the hidden soldiers leaped out and killed the Toloca lords. Axayacatl personally took prisoners, the Tolocas fled, and the Aztecs burned their temple.28 The king of Tolocan surrendered, and the image of the people's chief god, Coltzin, |
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