How to Be an Aztec Warrior

by Fiona MacDonald

Published 8 January 2008
Have you sharpened your weapons? Are you ready for battle? Can you speak Classical Nahuatl? Do you know the legend of the vision of the eagle clutching the snake on a prickly pear cactus—the first signal to our ancestors of the site our great city of Tenochtitlan? Can you take prisoners and bring them back alive to offer as human sacrifice to the gods? Only then may you cut your hair! So are you ready for your initiation as an Aztec Warrior?

National Geographic supports K-12 educators with ELA Common Core Resources.
Visit www.natgeoed.org/commoncore for more information.

How to Be a Roman Soldier

by Fiona MacDonald

Published 1 September 2004
Are you ready to do battle for the glory of Caesar? Have you bought your own armor yet—an apron and strong marching sandals? Will you become a centurion or a legionary? Are you ready for a posting to Western Eurasia or Britannia or North Africa? Are you ready to train from 6 a.m. to midnight? Are you fit to march long distances? Can you swim, run, jump, fence and throw javelin? Then prepare to swear your oath of loyalty to the Commander and Emperor.

National Geographic supports K-12 educators with ELA Common Core Resources.
Visit www.natgeoed.org/commoncore for more information.

How to Be a Medieval Knight

by Fiona MacDonald

Published 1 September 2004