Aztec, Mixtec and Zapotec Armies (Men-at-Arms) [Paperback]

John Pohl (Author), Angus McBride (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 28, 1991

Around AD 1450 a new Mexican nation emerged called the Aztec Empire of the Triple Alliance. They succeeded in making themselves the most powerful and feared civilisation in the Americas. The Mixtec and Zapotec peoples were contemporaries of the Aztec nations, and both formed alliances and fought many wars against them. With Angus McBride's usual quality artwork on eight full page colour plates, plus plenty of other illustrations from various sources, this work by John Pohl investigates the history, uniforms and weaponry of Aztec, Mixtec and Zapotec armies.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Packed with specially commissioned artwork, maps and diagrams, the Men-at-Arms series is an unrivalled illustrated reference on the history, organisation, uniforms and equipment of the world's military forces, past and present.

About the Author

John Pohl is a research archaeologist at UCLA. He is an eminent authority on American Indian civilizations and has directed numerous archaeological excavations in Mexico, Central America, Canada, and the United States. He has published extensively on subjects ranging from human origins to the rise of the Aztec empire and specializes in the decipherement of ancient pictographic writing systems. He works in Los Angeles as a producer, writer and designer and is noted for his unique skills in bringing the ancient past to life through a variety of innovative film and television technologies.

Product Details

• Paperback: 48 pages
• Publisher: Osprey Publishing (November 28, 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1855321599
• ISBN-13: 978-1855321595
• Product Dimensions: 7.2 x 0.2 x 9.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,109,485 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fun, informative book, September 3, 2001

By 

Scott Chamberlain "Historian and archaeologist" (Minneapolis, MN United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Aztec, Mixtec and Zapotec Armies (Men-at-Arms) (Paperback)

While the text is excellent (written by one of the rising stars of Mesoamerican archaeology), the best part of this book is its wonderful illustrations. Often, ancient Mexican art is so heavily stylized that it's difficult to get a true perspective of what weapons looked like, or how the unusual armor, imperial robes, and ordinary clothing hung on the body. The color plates really help bring this ancient world to life, as do the scattered black-and-white illustrations along the way. I've used this book many times to help students visualize the ancient New World, and cannot praise it highly enough!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Mexica Warriors, April 7, 2007

By 

K. Murphy "Fortune favors the Bold" (The thriving metropolis of Masury, OH) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Aztec, Mixtec and Zapotec Armies (Men-at-Arms) (Paperback)

A richly illustrated source on the armies of the Mexica Empire from the founding of Tenochtitlan up to the arrival of the Spaniards, who are not mentioned in the book. This makes this a rare book truly only about the Mexican armies, rather than focusing on the experience of the Spaniards that fought them.

What little is known of the petty warring states of the Zapotecs and the Mixtecs is also examined. The book is also graced by beautiful color plates by Angus McBride, showing, among others, the warrior priests and the cuahchic shock troops of the Aztecs, and a beautiful Mixtec Queen.

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A cut-above Osprey title, August 8, 2002

By 

ignorance is bliss "therazorsedge555" (Tempe, AZ United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Aztec, Mixtec and Zapotec Armies (Men-at-Arms) (Paperback)

This Men-at-Arms title is a cut above the rest. The text and the illustrations are actually on par with each other! Osprey seems to be in the constant process of revamping their line. This one is a step in the right direction. Not only are the ever popular Aztecs examined, the author also delves into the relatively ignored tribal alliances that they fought with over Mesoamerica. The subject was previously examined in another Osprey title, The Conquistadores (MAA 101 ) by Terence Wise. I recommend both, together. The disparity between Mexican and European styles of warfare will become readily apparent. I find myself rooting for the Aztecs, oddly enough... Both contain Angus Mcbride's wonderful paintings. You can't beat a dancing priest clad in human skin or an elite cuachic warrior with a mohawk! Usual complaints: the maps are damn near useless...