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more powerful it was, the more muted the dissension. Following Tizoc's reign dissension was rife. |
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As was also customary, the newly designated king engaged in a war of conquest to provide captives for his coronation. For Ahuitzotl, this first campaign was against the cities to the north and northwest of the basin of Mexico, including the area referred to generally as Mazahuacan, where discontent and rebellion were rampant. The Aztec army and its allies marched to Chillocan and to Xiquipilco, which they conquered, as well as Cillan and Xocotitlan
3 (see map 15). But defections during the campaigns must have been high, particularly before Aztec dominance had been reasserted, and Ahuitzotl issued an order that no one was to leave after the initial conquests on pain of death.4 |
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To avoid the attrition likely among the allied troops during the usual rest day after battle and to surprise Chiapan, the Aztecs marched on the city the same day. However, their approach was discovered by sentries, the city was warned, and a battle ensued. While the Tetzcocas, Tepanecs, Xochimilcas, and Chalcas engaged the enemy directly, the Aztecs entered the city secretly with the help of come of Chiapan's inhabitants. It was this ability to circumvent defenders and conquer an objective that made traitors so dangerous and disliked in Mesoamerica, although in a situation of constantly shifting alliances and multiethnic politics, traitors must have been pervasive. Once inside, the Aztecs captured the main temple, took the |
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