Aztec warfare

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Aztec Warfare
Introduction
The Aztec Warfare article by Ross Hassig offers a new perspective to the Aztec Warfare in which he suggests an underlying misconstruction of the 1519 war in ancient Mexico. Hassig explains that the standard interpretation of the Aztec Warfare is that of “draconian, with religion and ritual as its chief motivators” (Hassig n.p). In particular, Hassig point of view is that the appearance of the Aztecs is more of tyrannical rulers of the considerably large political empire. Additionally, the Aztecs are displayed as a religious radicals whose primary drive is the constant demands from their gods for human sanctifies. Also, Hassig suggests that the Aztec armies’ main focus was to seize captives to offer them as human sacrifices and not the conquest itself.
2. Summary
Hassig offers a different point of view on the Aztec Warfare history in which the author aims at letting the readers understand there was more to the wars than only some ritualistic and religious operation as commonly portrayed. The first part of the article explains the mechanisms of in which Hassig indicate that the Aztec battlefield involved a well-organized weaponry use and strategies. The primary weapons used included slings, sling-stones, arrows and bows, thrusting spears and stone-bladed wooden blades and with a well-trained army, the signaling of a commander marked the onset of war. The middle part of Hassig’s work expounds on the numerous conquests that the Aztecs engaged in as well as their techniques for ensuring a victory which included targeting easier target to increase their chances of success.

The last part continues to elaborate on the strategies the Aztec rulers employed when engaging in wars to ensure their victory. Hassig concludes by emphasizing that although the human sacrificing aspect of this empire was evident and a regular performance, religion, and rituals were not the main causes for Aztecs rise in victory but rather their prowess and strategic planning made the conquerors.
3. Analysis
While Hassig aims at providing an extensive viewpoint of the Aztec Warfare by showing the Aztecs’ prowess at battlefields and strategic planning, the author fails to give equal credit to religion and rituals which a large part of this society. Cartwright acknowledges and stresses that gods were a significant aspect of that society during the time and regular human sacrifices were common as a symbol of honoring the gods (n.p). Therefore, in as much as the Aztecs obtained their power from the battles they engaged in, rituals were a basic practice in the empire. Nevertheless, it is also agreeable that religion and rituals were not the only aspects of the empire’s success. Cartwright points out that the Aztec had a numerical advantage over their enemies in a majority of cases whereby all Aztec men were mandated to join the army and training initiated from the time they were children (n.p). Therefore, the army had a long experience and skills in battle which furthered the chances of victory for the Aztec kingdom. Additionally, Hassig also indicates that “the Aztecs stressed military ability as the primary concern in selecting a king” (n.p).
4. Conclusion
The Aztec Warfare can be agreed to have both the religious and political aspect that played a part in the complete victory the empire is famous for throughout history. Hassig’s point is evident and accurate that Aztec’s success was not solely due to religion and ritualistic practices of human sacrifice but also due to the ability of its army and tactical planning. It is exceedingly evident in the vast numbers of its army and extensive training.
Works Cited
Cartwright, Mark. “Aztec Warfare.” Ancient History Encyclopedia. 2014. Retrieved from
http://www.ancient.eu/Aztec_Warfare/Hassig, Ross. “Aztec Warfare: Ross Hassig questions whether the rationale behind the fighting
in Mexico which Cortes encountered in 1519 has not been misunderstood.” History Today. 1990. Retrieved from http://www.historytoday.com/ross-hassig/aztec-warfare