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The one day separation between armies was neither ritual nor a matter of individual cities' martial integrity and pride but a function of march dynamics. By the time the end of the previous army's column had begun marching, starting another army that day was impractical, since it entailed an 8 hour march plus the minimum lag 2.5 to 5 (or 1.5 to 3) hours for the entire army to get under way. In addition to making the march more efficient, starting on different days also spread out the logistical burden of towns on the route. Rather than providing the entire amount of tribute goods at one time, the goods each town was obligated to furnish were spread out over several days, allowing more goods to be called in from outlying areas. This arrangement also allowed limited campsites and drinking water to be used by the greatest number of men. |
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The Aztecs were faced with two options in dispatching their armies: they could march as a single unit or as several. Marching en masse was feasible only when the distance was short or the army was small. Marching in dispersed formation took two forms: armies could march in sequence along the same route but one day apart, or they could march by entirely different routes. When the army marched along the same route, scouts (yaotlapixqueh; sing. yaotlapixqui) provided intelligence about conditions, terrain, and enemy activity
54 that could be shared by all. Moreover, in the event of an attack the following unit could reinforce the preceding one. Marching by different routes had other advantages and disadvantages. Depending on the size, number, and proximity of the participating towns, the various armies would march separately to a predetermined location and there join to form the larger body.55 But each large unit retained its own integrity as a complete fighting unit and carried its own baggage and supplies. However, using different routes compounded the problem of safety. Each route required the gathering of intelligence, and in the event of attack, and other units would not be in a position to assist. But using separate routes spread the burden of supply to more towns. |
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There were also tactical reasons for marching by separate routes, but surprise was not among them. Given the slow rate of army march and the rapid pace at which messengers traveled, warnings of the army's coming could easily be sent ahead by scouts or by towns en route, even if more sophisticated intelligence was lacking. Moreover, the separately marching armies usually regrouped for battle. |
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The tactical advantages of marching separately were three. First, |
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