| The majority of great civilizations are recognized | | | | the gathering of captives for the performance of |
| for their cultural contribution to the history of the | | | | religious ceremonies. |
| world. However, a people would not flourish unless | | | | The Aztec military forces consisted primarily of |
| a politically stable state with a reliable army | | | | commoners. At the same time the professional |
| existed. So, it is only natural for any civilization to | | | | soldiers coming from the nobility were not a small |
| be recognized for its warfare strategies and | | | | number either. All men irrespective of their status |
| tactics. The case with the ancient peoples of | | | | in society received military training. The ones who |
| Mesoamerica is particularly notable. The whole | | | | fought bravely and had special achievements |
| political, social and economic structure of the city | | | | could be promoted to higher ranks based solely |
| states of the Aztecs depended on the Aztec | | | | on their accomplishments. In this way the army |
| warfare. | | | | played an important role for the formation of |
| War was the ultimate way not only for territorial | | | | society. |
| expansion. It was an essential political instrument | | | | We do not know a lot about the Aztec warfare |
| which allowed one city state to gain tribute from | | | | strategies. One certain fact is that the formation |
| the others and practically rule them. The | | | | of the troops was in the form of two layers - |
| establishment of political dominance was only one | | | | the first one consisting of the commoners and |
| aspect of victory. The economic gains were | | | | the second one of the professionals. Apart from |
| significantly large as well. The victorious state | | | | the bows and arrows a special dart throwing |
| could dominate the trade and use all resources to | | | | weapon called atlatl was heavily used. Wooden |
| its own advantage thus building an even stronger | | | | swords and spears were the primary weapons |
| army. Apart from political and economic expansion | | | | used in close combat. |
| the Aztec warfare had another main objective - | | | | |