![]() The blades were attached to the body of the sword at intervals or, perhaps reflecting a higher quality weapon, side-by-side in order to create a continuous cutting edge. The body of the macuahuitl was generally made of oak. According to Aztec historian Ross Hassig, this two-handed version was “about four inches wide and as tall as a man”. The standard macuahuitl was a one-handed sword but two-handed varieties existed. Historian Ian Heath, using evidence gained from the Aztec codices and accounts written by the Spanish Conquistadors, describes the macuahuitl as such: “It comprised a flat hardwood blade 2-4 ins (5-10cm) wide and about 3½ (1 m) long, often decoratively painted, with sharp flakes of obsidian or flint set in grooves along its narrower two edges”. Construction & Usage of the Macuahuitl Aztec Sword & Obsidian Blades The effectiveness of the macuahuitl was nominal if not properly trained in its use. While a commoner could construct the weapon, he would not generally have the opportunity to enter the higher levels of Aztec warrior training available to the elite warrior societies. The macuahuitl, a more precise and deadly weapon, was favored by those who had proven themselves in battle and who had risen to the ranks of the Eagle Warriors or beyond. ![]() Clubs, maces and battleaxes were standard hand-to-hand Aztec weapons amongst the core of the Aztec military. The macuahuitl (maquahuitl) was the weapon of choice for many of the members of the Aztec upper classes and elite warrior societies. Macuahuitl – Weapon of Elite Aztec Warriors & the Aztec Upper Classes Obsidian blades, bonded to a wooden body, gave a cutting edge sharper than steel, a fact certainly not lost on the Spanish Conquistadors. Firsthand accounts, however, leave little doubt that the macuahuitl was a fearsome weapon. No original examples exist of this Mesoamerican weapon of war, generally referred to as an Aztec sword. The exact nature of the Aztec macuahuitl (also written as maquahuitl) remains elusive to this day. This one- or two-handed Aztec sword used obsidian blades to devastating effect on the battlefield Supposedly, a warrior had to capture at least four prisoners in battle to achieve the rank of Eagle or Jaguar warrior.The macuahuitl (maquahuitl) was arguably the most fearsome Aztec weapon. Both types of warriors also fought using spears, clubs and shields. Obsidian is a volcanic glass that when cut can produce extremely sharp blades. Both Eagle warriors and Jaguar warriors went into battle with a weapon called a macuahuitl, which was a type of wooden club that had very sharp obsidian blades attached to its edges. Jaguar warriors wore this in belief that they gained the strength of the animal in battle. They had their faces showing out of the open jaguar mouth. Whereas, the Jaguar warriors wore the hide or skin of a jaguar which usually covered their entire bodies. As well, they would usually have an eagle head on their head, with their face showing out of the open beak. ![]() For instance, the Eagle warriors were known to wear helmets and suits decorated with eagle feathers. Both sets of these types of warriors wore very distinctive types of outfits that were separate from the rest of the Aztec warriors. The warriors that earned these designations were regarded as the best for their ability to capture prisoners in battle, which was one of the main objectives of the Aztec military. Both the Eagle and Jaguar warriors were referred to as ‘cuāuhocēlōtl’ and were the two most elite types of warriors in the Aztec military. As such, they were some of the most feared Aztec warriors.īeyond the warrior societies listed above, some of the most prestigious warriors in Aztec culture were the Eagle warriors and the Jaguar warriors. To achieve this rank, warriors had to capture more than six prisoners on the battlefield. As well, they were known to wear yellow tlahuiztli and paint their faces in blue, red and yellow. They were named for their hair, which was shaved expect for a long braid by their left ear. The most honored of the warrior societies was the ‘cuachicqueh’ or ‘Shorn Ones’. They were an elite mercenary force that was allied with the Aztec Empire and fought alongside them in battle. Another warrior society was the ‘otomies’. These warriors wore a butterfly design on their back. Third was ‘papalotl’ which translates to ‘butterfly’ and was for warriors who had taken three prisoners. They were known to wear red and black tlahuiztli in battle. The next was ‘cuextecatl’ which was for warriors that had captured two prisoners in battle. Tlamanih translates to ‘captive’ and refers to commoners in the Aztec military which taken a prisoner in battle. As stated above, the Aztec military was made up on several different warrior societies.
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