The Aztecs were constantly fighting with their neighbours, either to increase the size of their empire or to take prisoners who would probably be sacrificed to the gods at their temples. Young men joined the army at the age of 17. The most feared and famous of all Aztec soldiers were the eagle and the jaguar warriors.

An Aztec warrior usually carried spears made of wood, with an obsidian edged blade, and a wooden maquahuitl (war club) which was about 76cm (30in) long. The maquahuitl had grooved sides set with sharp obsidian blades. Warriors also carried stabbing javelins and round shields with feather fringes. Flint and obsidian knives were also used and woollen slings to fire stones at their enemies.


The ideal warrior was noble, brave and had to serve and respect the gods. Warriors were so important to the Aztecs that new rulers had to start their rule on the battle field, adding cities and provinces to the empire, and capturing prisoners for ritual sacrifice, an essential part of the Aztec religion. Aztec soldiers who fought well could become eagle or jaguar warriors. The jaguar and eagle warriors were distinguished by their uniform and helmets, the jaguar warriors wore jaguar skins with their faces peering out of the animals head and the eagle warriors wore feathered helmets with a gaping beak.


By the time Montezuma the second became ruler in 1502, Tenochtitlan was a huge city and most of it's neighbouring cities were already part of the Aztec empire. Conquering new lands meant longer and longer journeys. The warriors complained but the leaders wanted more power and more tributes to support their huge population. Their priests urged the leaders to conquer new lands to keep the gods happy with blood offerings. The ruler Ahuitzotl had to pay money to the warriors to make them fight. When he died, the empire was at it's most powerful, yet their was always danger of rebellion from those paying tribute.