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where and why the Aztecs would attack. This defense was predicated on the logistical constraints on Mesoamerican armies, since the Tarascans did not erect barriers to the north or south. |
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Towns located between the competing empires were faced with the dilemma of selecting their masters: neutrality was not feasible in the context of expanding imperial systems. For many the fortunes of war removed any choices they may have had. But for others alliances were viable options, and while many people allied with the Aztecs, many others chose the Tarascans, including some who had fled from the Aztecs.
34 Thus, many of the people manning the Tarascan border fortifications were Matlatzincas, not ethnic Tarascans. Given the alliance nature of Mesoamerican polities, it is unlikely that the Tarascans completely trusted them. Nevertheless, these border Matlatzincas were useful and, perhaps, more expendable. |
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The Aztecs' conquest and fortification of Teloloapan, Oztoman, and Alahuiztlan was quickly followed by another campaign into present-day southern Guerrero, probably in the campaign season of 149091. It was a logical extension of the earlier conquests but also began in earnest the Aztec strategy of gradual encirclement of the Tarascan Empire. This campaign resulted in the conquest of Tlappantzinco, Tototenanco, Atl-Chayahuacan, and Cuauhtepec.35 Iztac-Tlallocan, Pochtlan, and Tototepec are also likely to have fallen,36 and other towns in the area also submitted, influenced by the Aztec demonstrations of power. Among these were Tlalcozauhtitlan, Tlappan, Acatl-Iyacac (Acatepec), Nexpan, Acapolco, Cihuatlan, Nantzintlan, Coyocac, Xolochiuhcan, Xiuhtlan, Tzohuilpillan, Acalecan, and Tetellan (see map 16).37 |
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The campaign's probable route was south from the basin of Mexico to the Pacific coast. Then the army turned north, going up the coast as far as Acalecan before backtracking and marching northeast to Tenochtitlan.38 Tribute was a universal purpose of expansion, but another purpose was to outflank the Tarascan fortifications; creating an active front against the Tarascans was apparently not an aim, since the Aztecs did not take advantage of it. Nevertheless, by beginning the encirclement of Michhuacan, the Aztecs gained an unguarded, albeit distant, approach to the enemy heartland, which was necessarily a security concern for the Tarascans. Of equal importance, the Aztecs effectively deprived the Tarascans of outside aid and room to retreat in that direction. As with other powerful enemies, the encirclement of the Tarascans was not an immediate |
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