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Lavish Mexica warrior uniforms

15th Apr 2021

Artist’s impression an Aztec invasion column by Adam Hook

The invading Spaniards must have been, at least initially, utterly bewildered by the huge variety of Mexica (Aztec) battledress, ranging from the plain and simple to the quite magnificent. Whereas in most cultures, uniforms are used to differentiate units, in the Aztec army ‘uniforms served to differentiate men with different levels of military experience’ (Pohl). Through the centuries, army officers round the world have learnt to blend in visually with regular soldiers in order to avoid standing out as obvious targets for the enemy. In Aztec times the whole point was to stand out above the crowd - literally - in a colourful display of rank, status and devotion to the Sun... (Compiled by Ian Mursell/Mexicolore)

And stand out they did: the Codex Mendoza (see picture) features four stunning outfits reserved for élite commanding officers. ‘Those who were promoted to the rank of captain and higher were awarded lavish uniforms equal to their high status, the most distinctive element being the large feather back ornaments that enabled them to be easily seen by their men as they walked up and down the back of the line shouting our their commands’ (Pohl & Robinson).
Mexica war methods emphasised ‘the observation of prebattle ceremonies that eliminated the possibility of surprise attacks’ (Restall), part of a strategy of intimidating, insulting, provoking and frightening the enemy, encouraging them to break ranks.
It goes without saying that these officers’ costumes and standards were both heavy, cumbersome and restrictive of movement. ‘They indicate how far Aztec methods of warfare were directed toward pomp and display rather than military efficiency’ (Pasztory).

Within the Mesoamerican context this strategy clearly proved successful and effective. ‘Alas’, however, as Pasztory concludes, ‘rulers and leaders, being especially conspicuous, made easy targets for the Spaniards’, who quickly learned to target key commanders and thus to decapitate the leadership structure of the Aztecs.
What they did not realise was that the Mexica cosmovision embraced an ancient, almost millenarian native American belief in giving one’s spirit to pay back the great Givers of Life in the sky, to whom humans owed an eternal debt. This is expressed in the words of a 19th century Cheyenne leader, Wooden Leg:-
’The idea of full dress in preparation for a battle comes not from a belief that it will add to the fighting ability. The preparation is for death, in case that should be the result of the conflict. Every Indian wants to look his best when he goes to meet the great Spirit...’

Sources/references:-
• Aztec Warrior AD 1325-1521 by John Pohl, 2001, Osprey Publishing
• Aztecs and Conquistadores by John Pohl and Charles M. Robinson III, 2005, Osprey Publishing
• Seven Myths of the Spanish Conquest by Matthew Restall, 2003, OUP
• Aztec Art by Esther Pasztory, 1983, Harry N. Abrams, New York
• Native American Wisdom, 1994, Running Press Book Publishers, Philadelphia.

Picture sources:-
• Main: illustration by and © Adam Hook, courtesy of Osprey Publishing
• Image from the Codex Mendoza scanned from the James Cooper Clark facsimile edition, London, 1938
• Illustration by Alberto Beltrán scanned from The Creation of the Sun and the Moon by B. Traven, Lawrence Hill & Co., Berkeley, 1977.

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Lavish Mexica warrior uniforms

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