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nochtitlan was divided. Additional standards reflected lesser divisions and were normally worn by the commanders of the army, town, or calpolli and of 400-, 200-, and 100-man units. The standards were mounted on light bamboo frames strapped to the wearer's back
68 so as not to hinder his fighting. The binding was so tight that it was virtually impossible to take the banner from him without killing him first.69 |
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Individuals in the various unitsusually at the town or calpolli levelalso wore insignia designating their membership. For example, the men in the unit of Tlaxcallan's commanding general, Xicohtencatl, all wore mantles that were half red and half white.70 A similar practice was followed in the Aztec army.71 Unit markings were also employed by each of the military orders and by the commoners elevated to membership in the orders.72 In the Aztec army the standard was placed in the center of the unit in battle, and great attention was paid to its defense. When a unit standard was taken, the entire unit fled, and if it was the standard of a general or of the king, the entire army retreated.73 |
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When the army left on a campaign, two supreme chiefs remained in Tenochtitlan to send supplies and reinforcements if necessary. Two others led the soldiers, and two deputies were designated by the king to replace the two leaders if they should be killed or captured or prove to be incompetent. These latter four leaders had command over the entire army when it was en route and exercised supreme powers in matters regarding war and justice far in excess of their peacetime powers.74 In battle the tlacochcalcatl led the strongest and most noted army, and he directed the battle from the midst of his nobles.75 But strategic considerations, such as when the army would leave home, where it was to march, for how many days, and how the battle was to be fought, were decided in advance by the king.76 |
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For the king to assess Tenochtitlan's military potential accurately and to predict the needed training, arms, and supplies in the event of war, he had to make a count of the available manpower. This was done through the calpolli organization. Each ward had officials responsible for a designated number of houses, who ensured that citizens paid their tribute and contributed their share to the public works. If the official had a hundred houses, he, in turn, delegated |
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