Indian Armor and Insignia

75
Indian Armor and Insignia
Four Aztec warriors from the Codex Mendoza


Either from excessive excitement or
out of habit I aimed too high, and the arrowhead pierced the very
the top of his iron helmet without causing any harm to the Spaniard: he
just swayed in the saddle - and that's all. But even this very modest success
elevated me greatly in the eyes of the Aztecs. They were very poor archers, and
Moreover, an arrow had never been seen to penetrate Spanish armor.
Montezuma's Daughter. R. Haggard




History military costume. Shields and helmets of the Aztecs and Mayans - that's what the previous article was about, and today we will continue the topic of the military costume of the Mesoamerican Indians. Not only helmets and shields were the property of the warriors of this region, but also various overhead protective devices for the arms, legs and torso. Sleeve-like "armor" could be worn on the arms, and similar protection was used by ball players. It is possible that they were something similar to a cotton sleeve with leather strips sewn onto it. In any case, such protection was quite protective against blows from a cast rubber ball.

And here is how they looked in the description of B. de Las Casas, who reported:

"...the armlets and other gold and silver armour which they must have used in wars, so skilfully and strangely trimmed with green and yellow feathers and deerskin, beautifully tanned and dyed."

Additional protection was provided by metal jewelry in the form of all kinds of gold bracelets, additionally decorated with jade and mother-of-pearl.


Aztec Eagle Warrior. Exhibition at the Ethnographic Museum Leiden in 2021

Another protective device was used, apparently, mainly by the Toltec Indians. It was a kind of pendant worn on the left arm, consisting of long thick cords. Perhaps they served as a kind of flexible protection for the spear thrower, similar to the way in which European fencing used a cloak wound around the arm.

The Aztecs also wore protective plates on their legs, which were made of leather and decorated with gold, silver and precious stones. In the Mixtec Codex, you can see greaves in the form of a jaguar's paw. They also used windings (which is not surprising if we remember what kind of prickly vegetation there is): wound in parallel rows or crossed. Naturally, bracelets made of metal and stone were also worn on the legs.

Among the gifts that the Spaniards received from the Chontal Indians, Las Casas mentions:

“...Several breastplates: some of pure gold, others of wood covered with gold, and others of gold, studded with stones, skillfully scattered over the gold; many knee pads, some of pure gold, others of wood or some kind of bark, but always covered with gold plates.”

Breastplates were also known to the Indians. They had the form of plates: sometimes in the form of a stylized butterfly (Toltecs), a puma, a spiral, and a circle with a mask (Chichen Itza).


The most famous monument of the Aztec culture is the stone of the sun god Tonatiuh. It is located in the National Museum of Anthropology in Mexico City and is the most famous work of their sculpture. It is a huge disk with a diameter of 3,58 meters, a thickness of 98 centimeters and a weight of about 24 tons. In the center of the disk is depicted the Aztec sun god Tonatiuh. Modern research suggests that it was carved between 1502 and 1521.

The most common type of protective clothing among the Aztecs was the ichkahuipilli jacket, which looked like a quilted shirt made of a thick layer of cotton fabric (1,5-2 fingers). In fact, it was the same Russian vatnik, the outer layer of which was soaked in a concentrated salt solution, and with ties on the back. It protected the warrior so well from blows from a club with obsidian blades, which became dull and broke on salt crystals, as well as from arrows, that the Spanish conquistadors quickly borrowed it from the Indians and described it as lighter and less hot than their own steel armor. This armor could be sleeveless or with very short sleeves. Diego de Landa wrote about the Yucatan Maya of the XNUMXth century:

"They made quilted armor from cotton and coarse salt, packed in two rows or layers, and they were very strong."

Over the armor, warriors wore a tunic-type garment, the length of which was an indicator of the warrior's rank and social status. According to the Aztecs, it should be above the knees for commoners, and longer for those of higher rank. Although ordinary warriors were also allowed to wear long tunics, but only to hide traces of wounds and scars. Apparently, their open display was considered indecent in their society.

Very interesting were also the protective capes, similar to ponchos, which were made from agave fibers, then soaked in liquid maize dough and dried in the sun. Not only did they acquire a beautiful golden color, but they also hardened so much that they turned into a kind of armor. Although it was clearly not advisable to get caught in the rain in such a "shell"! However, the Indians knew the time of the rainy season well.


The Aztecs loved to dress up and decorate themselves, so men pierced their nose wings and lower lip in order to wear such an adornment as a labret. These adornments were made of jade, amber or rock crystal, as well as gold and had the shape of a tube up to five centimeters long and even figurines. For example, snake figurines. Or eagle heads... "Eagle Head" from the Metropolitan Museum, New York

A kind of overalls made of animal skin or a woven base trimmed with feathers, with a slit in the back for putting it on, were also used. Interestingly, Las Casas described how the Indians in Tabasco (Bay of Campeche) dressed the Spaniard Grijalva "from head to toe in armor of the purest gold, no less complete than the steel knightly armament of Milanese workmanship." But the author himself was not present, so it may well be just idle fiction.


This is how they wore a labret in the shape of a snake under the lip! Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York

The Aztec and Mayan military symbols and insignia received by warriors for their heroic deeds were much richer. It should be noted that in their society, killing an enemy was not a heroic deed. The priests demanded that the enemy be captured alive in order to sacrifice him to the gods. Therefore, those who took prisoners were the first to receive awards and external insignia. Changing caste among the Aztecs and Mayans, as well as wearing clothes not belonging to one's caste, was prohibited. But even a commoner could achieve "known degrees" if he joined the army and took prisoners in battle.

At first, when joining the army, a young man had only a loincloth - maxtlatl, woven sandals and a short cloak - to cover himself with at night. They were taught not only combat skills and, like our recruits, were forced to "learn the stars", that is, they were taught to distinguish who had what rank and all the insignia due to him from special pictographic books. At the same time, the Indians had no shortage of imagination, so that warriors who captured 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 enemies all wore various and sometimes very different outfits.


Mayan Warrior. Producer: Silver Dream Studio and Alexandros Models

By the way, priests also fought and were rewarded with clothing no less bright than professional warriors. Thus, the one who captured two enemies received a white tlauiztli jacket with black decoration, a ritual accessory of the goddess Tlazoteotl. Three captives - and you could wear a green tlauiztli and a pamitl - a flag with red and white stripes, topped with a bunch of precious green quetzal feathers. The priest who was lucky enough to capture four prisoners received a very beautiful cuestecatl jacket with a pattern of white circles on a black background, which was supposed to symbolize the stars. Five captives gave the right to a red tlauiztli with a black decoration in the form of a large fan of macaw feathers, which was called momoyactli. Well, if the gods were merciful to you and you remained alive, having captured six enemies, then you had the right to a “coyote robe”, decorated with yellow or red feathers.

So even a commoner Masehuatl could quite easily achieve even the highest ranks, and all solely thanks to his military exploits.

The Aztecs also had special military clothing that was worn “out of formation” and which also indicated the rank and merits of its owner.


"Codex Mendoza", p.65. Warriors' clothing for everyday wear and showing how many prisoners each of them had taken, i.e. served the gods. Bodleian Library, Oxford University

In peacetime, ordinary warriors and their commanders wore a distinctive tilmatli cloak measuring 1,22-1,83 m, which was fastened with a buckle on the right shoulder and, falling freely along the body, covered the left hand and exposed the right. A commoner who fought in a battle and took one prisoner received a cloak decorated with flowers (it is unclear whether they were real or artificial, because real ones would have to be constantly changed!). Two prisoners were indicated by an orange tilmatli with a striped border. Well, then - the higher the rank and the more prisoners, the more complex and richer the patterns were on the cloak. Europeans compared similar fabrics from which these cloaks were sewn with the best European outfits made of silk.

Well, what significance did all these vestments have in the eyes of the Indians? weapons for the warriors, this speech of one of the Indian commanders, which has come down to our time and is recorded in the “History of the Indians of New Spain,” illustrates:

"I wish to instill courage in the hearts of those who are brave and to inspire those who are weak. Know that the Emperor has now commanded that brave men should not buy golden wreaths, feathers, lip and ear ornaments, bracelets, weapons, shields, plumes, rich cloaks and trousers in the marketplace. Our Lord himself distributes them as a reward for unforgettable deeds. Upon returning from the war, each of you will receive a reward in accordance with your merits, so that you can show your families and the gods proof of your valor. If any of you thinks that he will then "borrow" this glory for himself, let him remember that the only reward for such will be the death penalty. Fight, men, and gain wealth and glory for yourself here, in the battle market!"

Note. When writing this material, I used an article by A. Shekhvatov (St. Petersburg) from the magazine "Parabellum" (No. 11, 2000). I found the article interesting, but overloaded with references and numerous footnotes, and therefore quite difficult for a non-specialist to read...
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  1. +3
    2 February 2025 05: 16
    In essence, it was the same Russian vatnik
    It turns out that the real vatniks are the Aztecs! wink
    1. +4
      2 February 2025 07: 03
      Quote: Dutchman Michel
      The real vatniks are the Aztecs!

      That's right! And piercers to boot!
    2. +8
      2 February 2025 07: 44
      Hello Mikhail, good morning comrades!
      Vyacheslav, thank you for the article.
      Inspired by the immortal:
      If I have a little KC, I have the right to wear yellow pants, and a patsak in front of me must squat not once, but twice. If I have a lot of KC, I have the right to wear crimson pants, and a patsak in front of me must squat twice, and do the chatlanin "ku", and an etsilop has no right to beat me at night... Never!..
    3. 0
      2 February 2025 11: 15
      Quote: Dutchman Michel
      In essence, it was the same Russian vatnik
      It turns out that the real vatniks are the Aztecs! wink

      The domestic landed cavalry also did not hesitate to use quilted protective armor. However, they preferred combined metal-fabric "armor". For example, kuyaki and tegilyai. The latter, however, was not considered "armor" in fairy tales and rank books.
      1. +2
        2 February 2025 11: 21
        Quote: Kote Pan Kokhanka
        padded protective armor
        Maybe it's not on topic, but I had to serve in several regions, and in each of them our native vatnik, which became a symbol of Russia, along with the bear and the balalaika, was called differently. Somewhere a steganka (Caucasus), somewhere a telogreika (Siberia), and in Central Russia it was a vatnik wink
        1. +7
          2 February 2025 11: 33
          Somewhere there is a quilted jacket - Caucasus
          .
          Steganka is a later development. And in the 70s in our region (KMV) they were called quilted jackets.
          1. +3
            2 February 2025 11: 36
            Quote: Richard
            Steggnka is a later development. And in the 70s in our region (KMV) they were called fufaikas
            In Stavropol and Kizlyar in the late 80s they were called steganki. For me it was an unusual and funny name. However, I also heard somewhere about fufaika
  2. +5
    2 February 2025 06: 44
    What does the "stone of the sun god Tonatiuh" have to do with it if the article is about armor and insignia?!
    1. +2
      2 February 2025 07: 02
      Quote: ee2100
      "Stone of the Sun God Tonatiuh"

      And it's beautiful...
      1. +6
        2 February 2025 08: 28
        The priest who was lucky enough to capture four of them received a very beautiful cuestecatl jacket with a pattern of white circles on a black background, which was supposed to symbolize the stars.
        .
        No, Caliber, cueshtecatl is not a beautiful priestly jacket, but a special status of warriors in the Aztec army, distinguished by the fact that all its representatives wore pointed hats (or caps). In fact, the very name "cueshtecatl" is translated as "arrow warriors". Unfortunately, your article does not mention them, and writing about the Aztec military insignia without mentioning the cueshtecatl warriors is quite strange. The same "Codex Mendoza" depicted 252 cueshtecatl costumes (of all colors, including costumes with truncated ends, etc.). This amounted to 37,89% of the total number of costumes depicted in this Codex. The Military Encyclopedia devotes an entire article to the Aztec warriors - cueshtecatl.
        1. +6
          2 February 2025 08: 57
          Cover of the book Aztec Warrior AD 1325–1521 (Osprey Publishing, 1325). Written by John Pohl. Illustrated by Adam Hook.
          1. +6
            2 February 2025 09: 01
            Warriors in Cuestecatl armor
            1. +5
              2 February 2025 09: 18
              From the military encyclopedia:
              warriors - cuestecatl
              Occupation: Carrying out special combat missions for the emperor, protecting imperial and religious buildings and structures, their territories, conquering new ones, making sacrifices
              Time of activity: 1521th century - XNUMX
              Homeland: Mexico Mexico (Aztec Empire)
              Setting: Mexico Mexico (Aztec Empire) and surrounding areas
              Weapons: Macuauitl, Atlatl, Tecpatl, Tematlatl, Tepuztopilli, Macana, Itztopilli, Cuauhololli, Macuaitzochtli, Cuavitl, Witzauhcuy, Tripatlsachital, Aztec Scythe, Tlawitolli, Tlacalhuascuavitl, Stake with Burnt End, Chimalli
              Armor: Ichcahuipilli, Tlavistli, Cuacalalatli
              Enemies: Tlaxcalteca, Mixtec, Otomi, Purépecha, Zapotec, Huastec, Tepanec, Conquistadors

              Photo . "Reconstruction of a macuahuitl, the weapon of choice among the Cuestecals. Carved from hardwood, it was tipped with obsidian blades along both cutting edges. The weapon was as sharp as a razor and was intended to maim or otherwise disable an enemy so that he could be captured." The tcuesteclatl warrior also carried a tepoztopilli, a spear with a wooden tip tipped with obsidian blades. The Spanish called this spear a halberd. At the same time, the "brave man" depicted in the Codex Mendoza is armed with a macuahuitl, a flat wooden club with obsidian blades along the edges (photo ). The conquistadors called it a sword.
              1. +5
                2 February 2025 09: 24
                It is noteworthy that in the Codex Mendoza, only the warrior in cueshtecatl armor, depicted on folio 64r, is armed with a shield decorated with a hawk-scratch pattern. However, in the tribute folios, cueshtecatl suits of various colors are more often paired with a different shield, called a cuexyo. Its design is one of the two most common designs for shield decoration in the Aztec army.
                Cuestecatl shields. National Historical Museum, Chapultepec Castle, Mexico City, Mexico. Photo from the book: El Arte Plumaria en México, Fomento Cultural Banamex, 1993
                1. +5
                  2 February 2025 09: 54
                  Collectors who love soldiers can purchase a bronze statue of Cuestecatl (series "Aztecs 2. Conquest of America")
                  About the figurine: Cuestecatli (also Arrow Warriors) were a special class of warriors in the Aztec army, distinguished by the fact that all of its representatives wore pointed hats (or caps). To obtain this status, an Aztec had to capture at least two enemies. In the Aztec understanding, this showed the warrior's strength much better than simply killing enemy soldiers on the battlefield.
                  Age restrictions: from 11 years.
                  Height 40 mm.
                  Article: B21.02
                  Material: Bronze
                  Weight: 30 gram
                  Price 600 руб.
                  link: https://silverspoons.ru/catalogue/15840
                  1. +3
                    2 February 2025 10: 19
                    Age restrictions: from 11 years.
                    I wonder why such strictness?
                    Hi Dima!
                    1. +5
                      2 February 2025 10: 26
                      Greetings Anton!
                      Age restrictions - from 11 years. I wonder why such strictness?

                      I don't know. That's what it says on the seller's website.
                      PS. In addition to the Cuestecatl figurines, the Aztec 2 series contains many different interesting bronze figurines of Aztec warriors - eagles, jaguars, various military leaders and Montezuma himself.
                      1. +5
                        2 February 2025 11: 02
                        All the good days!
                        Oh, how bad, Dima!
                        He took it and smeared the author!
                      2. +6
                        2 February 2025 11: 11
                        Greetings, Sasha!
                        He took it and smeared the author!

                        I didn't even have such thoughts. I was just surprised that nothing was written about the Cuestecatl warriors in the article.
                    2. Fat
                      +5
                      2 February 2025 13: 13
                      Hi, Anton. Let me explain. It's about bronze...
                      This is obviously not a very expensive lead bronze. It has limitations in use - it is quite toxic, hence the high age limit.
                      1. +4
                        2 February 2025 13: 20
                        Hello Borisych!
                        In a typical alloy for military miniatures, tin-lead, the latter is 40%. However, I have not seen any age limitation from any of the manufacturers. Perhaps 3+, so that a small child who puts everything in his mouth does not accidentally swallow it.
                      2. Fat
                        +4
                        2 February 2025 13: 35
                        Manufacturer's reassurance. Lead bronze contains up to 30 percent lead, bismuth may be added to improve casting properties.
                        Some children and adults have a habit of chewing pens and pencils. I have been to a bronze figurine production facility, and the bronze there is far from being of a high grade.
                2. +4
                  2 February 2025 11: 26
                  These two ornaments are somewhat reminiscent of the Finno-Ugric ones. Remotely
        2. +4
          2 February 2025 10: 51
          Quote: Richard
          Unfortunately, your article doesn't mention them, and writing about the Atzec military insignia without mentioning the Cuestecatl warriors is quite strange.

          Well, I just couldn't find any information about them. I had John Paul's book, I read it, but a long time ago, and then I sold all my Osprey...
          1. +5
            2 February 2025 12: 33
            sold all my Ospreys.

            In vain. The books in this series are not only interesting and informative reading, but also a reliable financial investment. Every year they are becoming more and more expensive. Today, the average price for an Osprey copy from Osprey Publishing from the series "Military Uniform and Ammunition" varies from 500 rubles. rubles, and with illustrations by Angus McBride from - 2000 rubles.
            1. +4
              2 February 2025 12: 38
              Unfortunately, I can't boast of my own collection of Osprey. I only have one book that I bought on occasion, "Russian Security and Paramilitary Forces since 1991". Here are some illustrations from it for your reference.

              .
              1. +5
                2 February 2025 12: 43
                Here are some illustrations from it to get an idea of ​​the quality. Continued
                1. +1
                  2 February 2025 15: 27
                  Quote: Richard
                  Here are some illustrations from it to get an idea of ​​the quality. Continued

                  So you have it in Russian???
                  1. +4
                    2 February 2025 15: 32
                    It was "Ast" that published translated Osprey books in 2011-19.
                    1. +2
                      2 February 2025 16: 43
                      Quote: 3x3zsave
                      This is "Ast"

                      I didn't know. I thought it was something pirated...
                      1. +3
                        2 February 2025 16: 52
                        The quality of the printing there is such that any "pirate" will go around the world. Osprey makes the same demands on its foreign reprints as on its own. And the times were different, the book market was divided.
                  2. +4
                    2 February 2025 16: 04
                    So you have it in Russian???

                    Yes, the magazine is in Russian.
                    ISBN: 1780961057, 978-1780961057
                    Elite #197
                    Year of publication 2013
                    Mark Galeotti "Russian Security and Paramilitary Forces since 1991"
                    Illustrations by artist Johnny Shumate
                    Translation by Nikishin Ya.P.
                    Softcover, 64 pages
                    Published by RELOD. (RELOD – Russian and English Languages ​​Open Doors) is a Russian publishing house, exclusive distributor of Oxford University Press and the French publishing house CLE International in Russia and the Republic of Belarus under license from Osprey Publishing.
              2. 0
                3 February 2025 15: 27
                Quote: Richard
                Cossack in the uniform of a junior lieutenant. Magadan

                Lord, the mummers got there too.
                1. +2
                  3 February 2025 18: 49
                  Lord, the mummers got there too.

                  Greetings Ivan!
                  In this picture, in my opinion, something else is more interesting - pay attention to the tattoos on the Cossack's hand - on the wrist "north" and on the wrist a watch. It looks like the uncle was in those places from bell to bell
                  1. 0
                    3 February 2025 19: 03
                    Quote: Richard
                    It looks like the uncle was in those places from bell to bell

                    Have you thought everything through to the last detail, or have you watched "The Diamond Arm"?)))
            2. +3
              2 February 2025 13: 24
              Today, the average price for an Osprey copy of Osprey Publishing from the series "Military Uniform and Ammunition" varies from 500 rubles, and with illustrations by Angus McBride from - 2000 rubles.
              These are magazine editions, 60-70 pages each. Full-length books from Osprey, in hardcover, cost about 8000₽
              1. +4
                2 February 2025 14: 11
                Today, the average price for an Osprey copy of Osprey Publishing's "Military Uniform and Equipment" series ranges from 500 rubles.

                Yesterday I saw "Science and Life" on the shelf with printed products in the grocery store, grabbed the skinny, narrow magazine and only then looked at the receipt - 535 rubles! No way! What science, such is life. And vice versa. I had to return it - the toad squeezed my throat with its slippery paws.
                1. +5
                  2 February 2025 14: 20
                  Yes, the prices for printed products are approaching European ones. I am adding books that I would like to have to my bookmarks, 10 books = 20000₽. My only hope is Phil, with his magical resource!
                  Hello, Lyudmila Yakovlevna!
                  1. +3
                    2 February 2025 14: 48
                    Hello...

                    Hello Anton!
                    One consolation, I periodically go to the village library, there in the corridor there is a shelf in front of the door, on the shelf are books left by people with a conscience. And the other day I was lucky, I grabbed a thick collection of Ray Bradbury, the cover is red, hard. I can imagine how much it costs now in the bookstore! The volume is heavy, so I did not look further than the book, I plan to look there again tomorrow - the source is inexhaustible.
                    1. +4
                      2 February 2025 15: 01
                      "People do live! They go to the theater... To the library..." (C)
                    2. +2
                      2 February 2025 18: 44
                      Quote: depressant

                      One consolation, I periodically go to the village library, there in the corridor there is a shelf in front of the door, on the shelf are books left by people with a conscience. And the other day I was lucky, I grabbed a thick collection of Ray Bradbury, the cover is red, hard. I can imagine how much it costs now in the bookstore! The volume is heavy, so I did not look further than the book, I plan to look there again tomorrow - the source is inexhaustible.
                      Several years ago (I don't remember exactly, before "covid"...) I visited a "dump" - a recycling point for packaging and transportation to a processing plant. At the unloading site mucalatures I saw a lot, but I don't know how much Books - dumped in a small heap - childish in appearance, from Soviet publications to modern...
                      The library at the place of work was closed (2013...) - all the books were transferred to a neighboring school - schoolchildren came and took everything to their school library.
                      hi
                      1. +2
                        2 February 2025 18: 56
                        The schoolchildren came and took everything to their school library.

                        Well done, schoolchildren!
                        How can you throw good books into waste paper? You should have offered them to the school right away, the children would have sorted them, and the rest would have gone to the dump.
                        But I am no longer surprised that Bradbury in my case was taken from the apartment, and in excellent condition, and it's good that it was taken to the library. Old people leave, and the young, it seems, have the skill of reading only on the Internet, from the screen. There - everything is there.
                2. +5
                  2 February 2025 14: 21
                  a toad squeezed my throat with its slippery paws
                  Diagnosis: amphibious asphyxia.
                  1. +3
                    2 February 2025 14: 51
                    amphibious asphyxia

                    At first it didn't get through, but then it did...
                    good wassat )))
                3. +4
                  2 February 2025 16: 47
                  Yesterday I saw "Science and Life" on the shelf with printed products in the grocery store
                  Once I visited their editorial office hoping to publish my article about measuring length (called "From a span to the Universe"). They lordly told me that they don't need outside authors, that they order what they need themselves. Oh well, "Kvant" took it.
                  As is science, so is life.
                  Rather, the opposite is true - such is life, such is science.
                  1. +3
                    2 February 2025 17: 10
                    Good evening, Sergey!
                    in the hope of posting my article about measuring length (called "From a span to the Universe").
                    Post it here, I would be interested to read it.
                    1. +5
                      2 February 2025 17: 23
                      https://www.mathnet.ru/php/archive.phtml?wshow=paper&jrnid=kvant&paperid=2219&option_lang=rus
                      This is Quantum #5 from 2005. It cannot be posted here, Smirnov does not post articles that have already been published anywhere on principle. Recently, under such a pretext, he turned down my memoirs about my studies from 1972 to 1978. The reason is that it was published on the website proza.ru in 2014, and one of my classmates put it there. It is called "Memories" proza.ru/2014/10/10/1491
                      1. +4
                        2 February 2025 17: 34
                        Smirnov, on principle, does not publish articles that have already been published somewhere.
                        It’s strange, the resource’s rules state that reprints are accepted for publication with an indication of the original source.
                        Thanks for the links, I'll definitely read them! It's a pity that it turned out this way, the discussion could have been interesting.
                      2. +5
                        2 February 2025 17: 39
                        This is his personal whim. He once rejected my article about the development of the Soviet aviation industry from the early 20s to the early 30s - allegedly it did not correspond to the theme of the site.
                      3. +5
                        2 February 2025 17: 41
                        Publish it on Fialka, you are registered. And those two articles too.
                      4. +5
                        2 February 2025 18: 00
                        Okay, I'll try. I haven't been there for a long time.
                    2. +2
                      2 February 2025 18: 45
                      I would be interested to read it.

                      I actively support!
                      There were articles about science here on VO and many reviews of them.
            3. +4
              2 February 2025 15: 22
              Quote: Richard
              To no avail.

              The thing is, dear Richard, that I have so many books that I simply have nowhere to put them. That same Osprey sent me discounted ones and there were... a lot of them. Model Graphic magazines from Japan since 1998, Fine Scale... Military Modeling, La Figurine... You can't live in a library hoping to sell them as a rarity someday. I sold everything, and what didn't sell I gave to libraries nearby. I started a custom when my book on this topic comes out - to give away everything that was left by others. That's why, for example, I don't have any more books on tanks, on samurai - also none, and Osprey too... there's never enough money. We live without denying ourselves anything. Plus various ailments and cures - and then vacations - everything is expensive. Yes, of course, I kept my four Osprey books.
      2. +2
        2 February 2025 09: 06
        Jack of all trades!
      3. +4
        2 February 2025 11: 58
        Three captives and you could wear a green tlahuiztli and a pamitl, a flag with red and white stripes, topped with a bunch of precious green quetzal feathers.

        Well, that was the Mayan warriors. And among the Atzecs, decorations made from the feathers of the sacred quetzal bird, or more correctly - Quetzal (lat. -Pharomachrus mocinno) could be afforded exclusively by members of the imperial family and representatives of the highest priestly class. For others, it was taboo. The quetzal was a sacred bird among the Aztecs. They considered it the incarnation of one of their supreme deities - the feathered serpent Quetzalcoatl, the god of air. The words "quetzal" and "coatl" in the Aztec language Nahuatl mean "precious feather" and "snake". Images of this deity appear during the early formation of civilization in Mesoamerica (about 1400-900 BC) and indicate that the importance and veneration of the quetzal in Central America go back thousands of years.
        on Photo 1 Crown of Aztec Emperor Montezuma II made of quetzal feathers. National Museum of Anthropology and History of Mexico City
        on Photo 2 the Quetzal bird itself
  3. Fat
    +5
    2 February 2025 07: 48
    In peacetime, ordinary soldiers and their commanders wore a distinctive tilmatli cloak measuring 1,22-1,83 m, which was fastened with a buckle on the right shoulder.

    Good morning, Vyacheslav Olegovich. I would like to know more about the buckles of everyday warriors' cloaks...
    The Spaniards noted that the Aztecs had nothing like buttons, pins or buckles and that their cloaks were secured with ties.
    1. +2
      2 February 2025 08: 00
      Quote: Thick
      The cloaks were secured with ties.

      It may well be ...
    2. +4
      2 February 2025 13: 24
      The Spaniards noted that the Aztecs had nothing like buttons, pins or buckles and that their cloaks were secured with ties.

      Your truth, Andrey Borisovich. From the book "Aztec Warrior AD 1325–1521." (Osprey Publishing, 1325). Author: John Pohl. Illustrator: Adam Hook:
      ...The outer garment was a cloak - tilmatli. It was a simple rectangular piece of fabric that was tied in a knot on the right shoulder or chest (The Aztecs knew neither buttons nor buckles). When sitting down, the man turned the cloak over so that it was in front and covered his body and legs. Both loincloths and cloaks were worn by men of all classes, but those of the common people were white and almost unadorned, while the attire of the nobility displayed an extraordinary wealth of colors and patterns.
      ....The priests' cloaks were black or dark green, often embroidered with images of skulls and bones. Only the tlatoani, the Aztec "emperor", had the right to wear a cloak of a green-blue hue (the so-called xiuhtilmatli - "turquoise cloak").

      Fig. Tilmatli Cuestecatl.
  4. +4
    2 February 2025 08: 05
    Take six prisoners at once or in several campaigns? Or take, for example, two ordinary soldiers or one "captain" - which is better?
    You'll get confused about how many stars to inject into your nose and what kind))
    1. +4
      2 February 2025 09: 33
      Quote: Tlauicol
      Take six prisoners at once or in several campaigns? Or take, for example, two ordinary soldiers or one "captain" - which is better?
      You'll get confused about how many stars to inject into your nose and what kind))

      Yeah, “and a star burns on his forehead…” who did Alexander Sergeevich pick that up from…
      Even today, in the military environment, they measure themselves…
      I know at least two who ordered gold stars for their shoulder straps. All other things being equal, senior and top command staff are equal to papakhas, astrakhan collars, and jacket fabric. Young people - to equipment and gear.
      Everyone goes crazy in his own way !!!
      In a tattoo parlor. Holy shit, what a Masha, she can't even cook borscht, I told you to get some tattoos - a heart, a dove and Sveta. Bring a saw - let's cut!!! I'm ready to do anything for the sake of Borscht...
      1. +5
        2 February 2025 12: 37
        Well, and along the way, a joke on the indicated topic.
        "Two cowboys walk into a saloon and see a sign:
        — We accept Indian scalps. One scalp is $100. Well, they mount their horses and head out to the prairie. They gallop and gallop — no Indians. They are already angry, exhausted.
        — Suddenly they see an Indian standing there. The cowboys shot him, cut off his scalp, and since it was already late, pitched a tent nearby and spent the night...
        — In the morning one of the cowboys wakes up, comes out of the tent and, stretching sweetly, looks around the surroundings.
        — And then he sees two thousand Indians standing around their tent in war paint — bowstrings taut, tomahawk spears raised, ferocious faces... The cowboy dives into the tent — wakes up his friend:
        - Joe! Get up, Joe - WE ARE MILLIONAIRES!!!"(c)
      2. +1
        2 February 2025 23: 02
        Quote: Kote pane Kohanka
        I know at least two who ordered gold stars for their shoulder straps. All other things being equal, senior and top command staff are equal to papakhas, astrakhan collars, and jacket fabric. Young people - to equipment and gear.

        I wrote something like that. At a parade in one of the GSVG units, Zhukov immediately demoted a colonel to lieutenant colonel. He noticed the raincoat. A colonel was supposed to have a woolen one and he bought it with his own money. A lieutenant colonel was issued a p/sh one. That's how it was. wink
  5. +4
    2 February 2025 13: 48
    I found an article that talks about the banners and flags of the Aztec warriors, each of which has hieroglyphic inscriptions meaning: Tepetipac = wolf with arrows. Ocotelolco = green bird pecking a stone. Then others: Butterfly with yellow feathers, White skull with wings, Sun disk with feathers, and so on. These flags were embroidered with gold and feathers. During these fights, the "officers" used bone whistles or small drums.
    1. +4
      2 February 2025 14: 01
      Then reconnaissance detachments of 4 to 6 warriors penetrated into the enemy territory. In addition to the number of captured enemies, there were other forms of recognition, namely belonging to various military orders, there were perhaps 4 of them, with the names of Aquila, Jaguaro, Arrows.
      1. +5
        2 February 2025 19: 12
        To give you an idea, the Osprey books about combat and uniforms, with cardboard covers, published in Italy in the late 90's, cost about 12 lire, about 000 euros at today's exchange rate, I still have them all. . and they are all still in good condition, a good set of books with photos and maps, but with serious spelling errors. I just read three: The Battle of Pavia, Agincourt and Fornovo. And the new Osprey series that came out last summer, covering the major battles of WWII, was a 12-issue hardback series, which is a plus, and I think about 60-80 pages for 90 euros per book plus shipping. Bottom line: I bought the first issue of Invasion of Poland for only 12 euros. and it was real.
  6. +3
    2 February 2025 15: 14
    A commoner who fought in a battle and took one prisoner received a cloak decorated with flowers (but it is unclear whether they were real or artificial, because real ones would have to be constantly changed!)...

    Well, and so on ...
    The guys had a funny camouflage!
    Apparently, natural conditions were favorable.
    And then I looked out the window - the sun seemed weak, chilly, the trees were bare, I thought - it was early spring after all. And then I remembered - it was February!
    What a shame.
    1. +2
      2 February 2025 19: 00
      Quote: depressant
      A commoner who fought in a battle and took one prisoner received a cloak decorated with flowers (but it is unclear whether they were real or artificial, because real ones would have to be constantly changed!)...

      Well, and so on ...
      The guys had a funny camouflage!
      Apparently, natural conditions were favorable.
      .
      At the same time, in Europe, the Landsknechts (mercenaries - professional soldiers), before the appearance of the khaki uniform in the British army, and in the French army before WWI - the soldiers' uniforms were very elegant, in contrast to the "poor" and monotonous clothing of civilian commoners.
      soldier
      1. +2
        2 February 2025 19: 21
        in the French army before WWI - the soldiers' uniforms were very smart

        If the abbreviation refers to the First World War, then I highly doubt that the uniform of French soldiers in the 19th century and later at the beginning of the 20th was so smart )))
        1. +2
          2 February 2025 19: 34
          The French infantry entered WWI wearing blue trousers.
          1. +2
            2 February 2025 22: 21
            Quote: 3x3zsave
            The French infantry entered WWI wearing blue trousers.

            The French infantry entered WWI in red pants - there are paintings by French artists about the "Battle of the Marne" September 1914- French soldiers go on the attack red pants, there are photographs of French soldiers in 1914 - originally black and white, but later colored - the pants are painted in red color.
            Blue pants appeared in 1915g, after the first few months of the war - but the French soldiers took part in the first battle of WWI red trousers - which became a byword for the French as an example of lack of thought and arrogance.
            Below are some paintings and photographs (colorized) of French soldiers in 1914.
        2. +2
          2 February 2025 19: 36
          Quote: depressant

          If the abbreviation refers to the First World War, then I highly doubt that the uniform of French soldiers in the 19th century and later at the beginning of the 20th was so smart )))
          Yes, the uniform of the soldiers of the French army became "poor" by the 20th century, but the legendary red pants - there is such a statement (according to a French general) that such "elegance" of the uniform of French soldiers appeared under the influence of colonial wars in Africa - where local residents respected colorful, bright uniforms as an indicator of the army's power.
          soldier
          1. +1
            2 February 2025 20: 02
            Red pants, blue pants... )))
            It would be interesting to read here, on History, an article like "A Comparative Analysis of Military Uniforms from the Greeks to the Present Day". It would seem that everything is clear to everyone, but not to everyone. I believe that the success of such an article could be explosive. Especially considering the appearance of special camouflage of various types - a paradise for experts!
            For example, I have now tried to reread the book "The Moon and a Groat" due to the aspirated intonation of the people who mentioned it, and then abandoned it and went to read from scratch the Saga of the Sniper-Swordsman - with what love Dmitry Sillov describes different types of camouflage! Only a former paratrooper, an expert, can do it so artistically and captivatingly, which is what the writer is.
            However, there are no former paratroopers! )))
            1. +2
              2 February 2025 20: 18
              "A Comparative Analysis of Military Uniforms from the Greeks to the Present Day"
              You see, Lyudmila Yakovlevna, uniforms can be different. The same landsknechts, with all their ostentatious "parrot-likeness" in the clothes shown in the miniatures, did not go into battle. Because they would be killed instantly.
              1. +2
                2 February 2025 20: 29
                They didn't go into battle wearing the clothes shown in the miniatures

                That's the whole point! The connection between the types of uniform and technical progress, as well as the development of military thought in the field of tactics and strategy. Simply put, why in a modern ambush you can't be dressed in a Landsknecht uniform wassat )))
                However, I probably took on too much. But I would read about the features of modern camouflage with great pleasure. And how it changed under the influence of reality. It is enough to remember how our soldiers in Afghanistan exchanged their military boots for Chinese slipper-type sneakers with a sigh of relief.
      2. +4
        2 February 2025 19: 54
        Coincidentally, I am currently painting miniatures of Swiss Landsknechts in 1-72 scale. I found inspiration on how to paint them on ArmyRoyal. blogspot or Stuartsworckbench. blogspot, which is the same site.