### q2 Aztecs used armed traders in lieu of a standing army > The Mexica did not maintain standing forces in most of their conquered provinces. This left merchants vulnerable to attack by rebelling altepeme, which was often the first step during a revolt. Having armed troops accompany their merchants would have helped to dissuade this from happening, while re-enforcing Mexica control of subject peoples. - [View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01fgy27bjz5txn7f3bdvrwpctj) - [[Implications of the militarization of Aztec merchants#q2 Aztecs used armed traders in lieu of a standing army|View in Vault]]