Mexica War and Weapons

This video clip if from a Discovery Channel episode titled "Aztec Temple of Blood." It shows several anthropologists as they recreate Mexica weapons such as the macahuitl, sling, and shield. It proves that Mexica weaponry was not inferior to Spanish weaponry by any means.

The Mexica emperor was the general of the army and led warriors in battle. After conquering a city-state, the Mexica allowed the rulers of that city-state to continue to rule in exchange for allegiance to the Empire in the form of tribute. In this way, the Mexica warriors could leave the city-state and continue conquering others. Because there was not a strong Mexica presence in the city-states after they had been conquered, the Mexica military relied on the perception of power. The Mexica had to convince conquered city-states that they were very powerful and could return to the city-state and destroy the city again if necessary. This led to a situation where the Mexica were constantly at war in order to show how powerful they were. They also invited rulers from conquered city-states to sacrificial ceremonies where they could witness the best warriors of Mexico, who had been captured in battle, getting sacrificed to Huitzilopochtli.

Weapons

Atlatl

The atlatl was a weapon used to accurately throw spears. The atlatl was used because it could throw a spear more accurately and much further than a person could throw a spear by hand. The atlatl was considered to be a weapon used by the gods and was thus considered to be very important. The spears were tipped with sharpened obsidian, fishbone, copper, and stone. Some spears were barbed, two-pronged, and three-pronged. A spear thrown by an atlatl could penetrate metal armor and could be thrown 250 feet.

Bow and arrow

Mexica arrows were tipped with obsidian which made the arrow 3 times as effective as a steel tip. An arrow could be shot with a bow up to 600 feet. An arrow could penetrate a double thickness of well quilted cotton armor. Arrows were lit on fire in order to burn down buildings.

Slings

The Mexica also had slings which were used to hurl stones at the enemy. The stones used were rounded by hand and could be hurled 660 feet. By rounding the stone, the Mexica increased their power and they were effective against steel armored targets. Stones could be heated which increasing their penetrating power.

Sword

The Mexica sword was called a macahuitl. Sword was made of oak and had obsidian blades fitted and glued into grooves along both edges. The sword could be used in a powerful downward slash and was very effective in cutting flesh due to the sharpness of the obsidian blades. It has been noted that the Mexica sword could cut off the head of a horse with a single blow.

Shields

Mexica shields were made of various materials including animal hide, palm leaves, woven cane, wood, and cotton. Shields were covered with painted hide feathers, gold, and silver and were decorated with different images including gods and animals.

Cotton armor

The Mexica used quilted cotton armor so thick that neither an arrow or atlatl spear could get through it. The armor covered the torso, legs, and arms. The higher military ranks wore feathers over their armor and some warriors wore jaguar skins over the armor.

Helmets

Mexica helmets were made of wood and bone and were decorated with feathers. Many helmets were made out of the heads of wolves, jaguars, and pumas with the warrior able to see out of the animal’s opened jaw.

Here is a great website which shows you step by step how to to make a Macuahuitl:

Maquahuitl: Research, Reproduction, and Testing