A nobleman from Texcoco ("taysh-KO-ko") wrote that these events were first carried out after a prolonged period of poor harvests because the priests claimed the gods needed more sacrifices.
In addition to the typical explanation for these events, Ross Hassig claims that they also were important in foreign relations as a means of attrition and displaying power and personal skill. These events were begun with the burning of a "pyre of paper and incense" and saw a much higher participation rate among pipiltin than macehualtin ("mah-say-WALL-teen"). Participants in these events eschewed ranged weapons in preference for weapons like the (*) macuahuitl ("'mah-KWA-weetle"). A nobleman from Texcoco ("taysh-KO-ko") wrote that these events were first carried out after a prolonged period of poor harvests because the priests claimed the gods needed more sacrifices. For 10 points, what were these engagements between the Aztecs and their neighbors waged as a means of acquiring sacrificial captives?
In addition to the typical explanation for these events, Ross Hassig claims that they also were important in foreign relations as a means of attrition and displaying power and personal skill.
flowery wars (accept Guerra florida or xōchiyāōyōtl ["show-chee-yah-OH-yohtle"] from anyone brave enough to try the Nahuatl; prompt on Aztec wars or similar answers)