Both the Roman and Aztec Empires were built on military strength. The military achievements of the Roman Empire are well known. Their army was the most powerful and successful of all time. The Roman army was the first full time professional army in the world. Because they were so well organized, they were able to defeat much larger armies even though they were equipped with basically the same weapons. As the empire expanded, individuals from conquered lands joined the army and helped to protect the frontiers or borders of the empire. Generals from different parts of the Roman army fought for control of the Empire. The fighting between different members of the army caused unrest in the empire. Eventually this fighting would be one reason behind the fall of the Roman Empire.
The Aztecs had no professional army but they did have professional military officers. All men were trained to be warriors. The Aztec's reputation of being fierce and bra
ve warriors helped them maintain their empire. Like the Romans, they easily defeated opposing armies. The Aztec army fought to control the Valley of Mexico while, the Romans fought a variety of enemies throughout their empire. The Aztecs also wore fancy costumes or uniforms when they went into battle. They did not wear armor like the Romans did, but they did wear animal skins and leather. Both armies would use captured soldiers as slaves. The Romans would sometimes use them as gladiators to be sacrificed for sport. The Aztecs almost always sacrificed their captured enemies to their gods.
For the sake of authenticity I have to point out that the Roman army was not the first full time, professional army. In fact, Phillip II of Macedon made soldiering in the Macedonian army a full time occupation hundreds of years before Rome and the Macedonians were hardly unprofessional, defeating the great powers of Athens, Thebes, and eventually toppling the Persian Empire under the command of Alexander.
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