Aztec Eagle Warrior

Talon of the Sun

The Aztec eagle warrior was an elite soldier of the Mexica, clad in feathered regalia and an eagle-headed helmet, ranked among the empire's bravest. Status was earned by capturing enemies alive in battle, for these prisoners fed the sacrifices the priests believed sustained the sun and the cosmos. Trained from youth in the calmecac and telpochcalli, the eagle and jaguar warriors formed the proud martial heart of Tenochtitlan.