Eagle warrior
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Eagle warriors or eagle knights (
The life of Aztec warriors was one of constant battle, and the primary purpose of this continual warfare was to take prisoners to be sacrificed to their gods. As the Aztec Empire expanded, however, the expansion of the empire in size and power became increasingly important.
In current culture, the eagle warrior is a representation of the
Aztec society
The empire was composed of different social classes: kings (thought to be gods), nobles, generals, priests, peasants, and finally slaves. Politically, the society was based around the independent city-state, called an altepetl, composed of smaller divisions (calpulli), which were again usually composed of one or more extended kinship groups. Aztec society was highly complex and stratified, composed of several hierarchies. The society depended on a rather strict division between nobles and free commoners, both of which were themselves divided into elaborate hierarchies of social status, responsibilities, and power. A commoner would not have the same rights to land and dress code as a noble would, even down to regulating the materials they were allowed to use in their clothing.[3] Economically the society was dependent on agriculture, and also to a large extent on warfare. Other economically important factors were commerce, long-distance and local, and a high degree of trade specialization.
Rite of passage
All Aztec boys, both free commoners and nobility, learned about weaponry and warfare as part of their basic education. Until the age of fourteen, the education of children was in the hands of their parents, but was supervised by the authorities of their calpulli. Periodically, they attended their local temples, which tested their progress. However, only the best students could progress to become eagle warriors, as they are considered one of the nobility in Aztec society. At the age of 17, young Aztec men became warriors and entered formal military training. The recruits were expected to be brave and noble. Those who were of noble lineage also received training in religion, politics, or history by the priests. To achieve adult status, a young man had to capture his first prisoner.
Aztec warriors could move up in ranking by capturing enemies. One of the requirements to join the warriors is that they must capture at least four prisoners or great deeds (such as capturing foes to be used as sacrifices), they were eligible to become either a jaguar or eagle warrior.
Weaponry and battledress
The warriors used a number of weapons, including an
The uniforms of eagle warriors signified both courage on the battlefield and physical strength. The
The Eagle warrior's successes in battle were rewarded with access and permission to wear luxurious jewelry and materials. The quality of their jewelry was also based on hierarchy. They wore expensive materials like red ocher and headdresses made of quetzal feathers. The highest warriors were given chalchiuhtentetl by the ruler himself, which is a green stone lip plug, and cuetlaxnacochtli, which are leather earplugs.[4]
Their slings were likely made from
Eagle warriors in society
The origin of the eagle and jaguar warriors stems from the self-less acts of two deities; Nanahuatzin, meaning Pimply One, and Tecuciztecatl, meaning Lord of Snails, who sacrificed themselves to bring life to the sun. They emerged from the fire transforming into an eagle and a jaguar.[5] This cosmological belief solidifies the eagle warrior's higher position in society. This is reflected in their dress as well. The eagles were soldiers of the Sun, for the eagle was the symbol of the Sun. Eagle warriors dressed like eagles, adorning themselves with eagle feathers, and wearing headgear with an eagle head on it.[citation needed] The Eagle Warriors are among the highest ranking warriors in Aztec society. Sacrifice in Aztec society is extremely important, as they believe that it is their duty to nourish the sun through human blood. The warriors supply the captives they need to use for sacrifice. This relates back to the origin of the Eagle Warriors and their connection to the Divine. [6]
Eagle and
Eagle Warrior Temple
The Eagle Warrior Temple is located in Malinalco, Mexico. The temple sits upon a hill and is completely carved out of bedrock. The temple is a circular structure with an entrance containing 13 steps, and includes two jaguar sculptures. The entrance to the temple was a carved open mouth of an Aztec earth monster. The temple was situated next to the ruler's palace, serving as a headquarters for the Eagle Warriors and a place to plan combat strategies.[3]
The temple has a long extended bench that covers half of its inner chamber. There are carved sculptures on the bench of eagles and a jaguar. In the center of the inner chamber, there is a giant carved eagle on the floor. Some believe the centre eagle would be used as an altar or throne. The surrounding buildings contained several murals depicting the life of a warrior. In addition, there were murals of dancing eagles and jaguars within structures in Malinalco.
See also
References
- Anawalt, Patricia Rieff, and Frances Berdan. 1997. The Essential Codex Mendoza. Berkeley: University of California Press.
- Barbosa-Cano, Manlio. "Huaxyacac: Aztec Military Base on the Imperial Frontier,"Economies and Polities in the Aztec Realm. Albany: Institute for Mesoamerican Studies, University at Albany, State University of New York, 1994.
- Boone, Elizabeth Hill. The Aztec World. Smithsonian Institution: Washington D.C., 1994.
- Carrasco, David. The Aztecs: A Very Short Introduction. Very Short Introductions. Oxford: Oxford University Press. 2012.
- Davies, Nigel. "The Mexica Military Hierarchy as Described by Sahagun," The Work of Bernandino de Sahagun: Pioneer Ethnographer of Sixteenth-Century Aztec Mexico. Austin: University of Texas Press, 1988.
- Garcia Payon, Jose. Revista Mexicana de Estudios Anthropologicas. Los Monumentos arqueologicos de Malinalco. 1947.
- Smith, Michael E. The Aztecs. 3rd Ed. West Sussex: Blackwell Publishing, 2012.
- Smith, M. 2012, 162.
- Smith, M. 2012, 173–174.
- ^ a b Nahuatl Dictionary. (1997). Wired Humanities Project. University of Oregon. Retrieved September 5, 2012, from link Archived 2016-12-03 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ a b Sánchez-Murillo, R. (2012). La palabra universal. Ricardo Sánchez-Murillo. Retrieved September 5, 2012, from link Archived 2013-10-29 at the Wayback Machine.
- ^ a b Boone, Elizabeth Hill. The Aztec World. Smithsonian Institution: Washington D.C., 1994, 61.
- ^ Davies, Nigel. "The Mexica Military Hierarchy as Described by Sahagun," The Work of Bernandino de Sahagun: Pioneer Ethnographer of Sixteenth-Century Aztec Mexico. Austin: University of Texas Press, 1988, 164.
- ^ Carrasco, David. The Aztecs: A Very Short Introduction. Very Short Introductions. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2012, 67.
- ^ Anawalt, Patricia Rieff, and Frances Berdan. 1997. The Essential Codex Mendoza. Berkeley: University of California Press, 185.