Aztec warriors - Wargames Atlantic.

Aztec month is nearly complete and pressure is on complete the latest batch of Mexica Infantry. The limited clothing and equipment allowed me to turn these around within a few days.

I am aiming to cluster these together into the various military ranks with Aztec culture. Individual fighters advancement was not simply on surviving battles, but on capturing enemies alive. Taking captives brought prestige, social advancement, and access to increasingly elaborate weapons, armour, and insignia.

The hierarchy described in surviving sources such as the Codex Mendoza should probably be viewed as a guideline rather than an absolute rulebook which is perfect for what I am after and the Wargames Atlantic sculpts come with enough variety to represent the various classes, but for now pic's of the mass.

Commoners or Yaoquizqueh - The lowest tier of Aztec warriors. These men had yet to capture an opponent and would have formed the bulk of an army's manpower - these will be presented by those in simply a loin cloth, armed with spears, slings and bows together with wooden clubs.

Low-Status Warriors or Telpochyahqui - Warriors who had captured their first enemy, these will be wearing the ichcahuipilli or quilted cotton armour, I have armed this in the main with the macuahuitl, or edged wooden club.

The additional Eagle Warriors might have to wait, they are primed and based but I am running out of days - August is back to the Sino-Japanese War although it would be good to sneak in a game with these extra warriors and the latest Spanish additions.

They it's a wait until Christmas to see if another box appears :-)