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small military contingent, the Aztecs and their allies dispatched a force of 100,000 menpresumably for intimidation rather than primarily for use in combat, as they adhered to the traditional flower war method of initiating combat with limited numbers of combatants. The army gathered at Atzitzihuacan, a subject of Papayocan, and the battle began with 200 Aztec warriors.
30 Nevertheless, the large accompanying forces could be drawn on for more rapid replacement of individuals; the war also displayed the forces available to the Triple Alliance if the xochiyaoyotl itself failed to achieve intimidation and ultimate capitulation. However the fighting did not go well for the Aztecs, and many nobles and war captains were lost, including Moteuczomah Xocoyotl's brother. The returning army entered Tenochtitlan in silence and without decoration, and the soldiers burned their weapons.31 |
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Thereafter, yet another incursion took place into the Huaxyacac area: the cause this time was the rebellion of Yancuitlan and Tzotzollan (see Maps 19 and 21). The campaign may have been a continuation of the previous one. But Durán32 cites the Triple Alliance's poor performance in the flower war with the Huexotzincas as the cause for the rebellion, and Torquemada 33 states that the entire area was in rebellion, which was a predictable reaction if Tenochtitlan was thought to be powerless or badly crippled as the result of a major military loss. Furthermore, the Aztecs had also failed to accomplish an overwhelming show of force in the region previously. |
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Despite their earlier losses, the Aztecs raised a 200,000-man army34 and marched on Yancuitlan. Aztec soldiers entered the city at night and returned with a prisoner for interrogation. The next day they attacked, killing even the old people and burning the houses. After the battle the army rested, but the following day it approached Tzotzollan and found the city abandoned, everyone having fled; despite a four-day search no one was found.35 |
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The Aztec army then marched to the fortified city of Quetzaltepec. As usual, scouts were sent to enter the city at night and bring |
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