(top: Aztec warriors depicted in the Codex Mendoza (source) below: life-size statue of an eagle warrior (source))
As has been announced several times in this Wiki already, war was deeply entwined with Aztec culture and its importance should not be underestimated. War was the only way in which a commoner could move up through the social hierarchy.
The lowest ranks of an Aztec army were the servants, who would carry weapons and supplies for the soldiers. Servants were owned by the nobility, although they were not considered property like slaves were. Servants could own property, their own businesses, and marry as they wished. (source)
Next in rank were the youth, who have yet to made a capture. Capturing a prisoner is what initiated one into becoming a real Aztec warrior. In fact, capturing a prisoner was seen as a status symbol for young men. Those with a few captures under their belt were greatly rewarded with jewels, respect, higher-ranking jobs, and most importantly, land. This land was theirs until they died and this land could be passed down to their sons. These incentives made Aztecs warriors very fierce and very brutal, as they had a lot to gain from war. (for a further example of the brutality of Aztec war see Module 13)
Aztec men were able to become warriors at the age of 17. Prior to that, both the nobility and commoners would receive an education and military training, however, only the nobility were taught about politics and religion.
The highest ranks in Aztec armies were members of "warrior societies," the most well-known of these being the Jaguar warriors and Eagle warriors. It is unclear if commoners could become part of this "warrior nobility" or if this rank could only be achieved through birth into a noble family.
Eagle warriors were one of two leading military societies. To the Aztecs, eagles were often symbols that represented the sun along with strength and aggressiveness. Eagles warriors would costume themselves as eagles before battles believing that it signified strength and courage.
Jaguar warriors are very similar to the Eagle warriors. It is believed that the jaguars represent Tezcatlipoca, god of the night sky. In order to be a member of the Jaguar warrior society, a soldier was required to make at least four enemy captures. (source)
As has been announced several times in this Wiki already, war was deeply entwined with Aztec culture and its importance should not be underestimated. War was the only way in which a commoner could move up through the social hierarchy.
The lowest ranks of an Aztec army were the servants, who would carry weapons and supplies for the soldiers. Servants were owned by the nobility, although they were not considered property like slaves were. Servants could own property, their own businesses, and marry as they wished. (source)
Next in rank were the youth, who have yet to made a capture. Capturing a prisoner is what initiated one into becoming a real Aztec warrior. In fact, capturing a prisoner was seen as a status symbol for young men. Those with a few captures under their belt were greatly rewarded with jewels, respect, higher-ranking jobs, and most importantly, land. This land was theirs until they died and this land could be passed down to their sons. These incentives made Aztecs warriors very fierce and very brutal, as they had a lot to gain from war. (for a further example of the brutality of Aztec war see Module 13)
Aztec men were able to become warriors at the age of 17. Prior to that, both the nobility and commoners would receive an education and military training, however, only the nobility were taught about politics and religion.
The highest ranks in Aztec armies were members of "warrior societies," the most well-known of these being the Jaguar warriors and Eagle warriors. It is unclear if commoners could become part of this "warrior nobility" or if this rank could only be achieved through birth into a noble family.
Eagle warriors were one of two leading military societies. To the Aztecs, eagles were often symbols that represented the sun along with strength and aggressiveness. Eagles warriors would costume themselves as eagles before battles believing that it signified strength and courage.
Jaguar warriors are very similar to the Eagle warriors. It is believed that the jaguars represent Tezcatlipoca, god of the night sky. In order to be a member of the Jaguar warrior society, a soldier was required to make at least four enemy captures. (source)