Ixta was the warrior captain who had been chosen to lead the Aztec warriors into battle, and to represent their army in various civic duties and ceremonies. Only one warrior was selected for this role, and Ixta had to fight and defeat many challengers to attain it.
When the TARDIS arrived in the Aztec city, cut off from the Doctor and his companions after becoming trapped in a sealed tomb, Barbara Wright was hailed as the reincarnation of the town's occupant - a High Priest named Yetaxa. Ian Chesterton, meanwhile, was invited to challenge for Ixta's role, and was sent to stay at the warriors' dwelling. This had been suggested by the High Priest of Sacrifice, the sadistic Tlotoxl. He was a friend and ally of Ixta, and hoped to see him defeat and kill Ian as part of his efforts to undermine Barbara. Ian was able to overpower Ixta using just his thumb, applied to a pressure point at his neck. Shamed, Ixta sought the help of the Doctor in winning a rematch. His father had been the architect of Yetaxa's tomb.
He visited the Doctor one evening, wearing his jaguar mask to conceal his identity, and making sure not to reveal that Ian was to be his opponent. The Doctor told him about a plant sap with soporiphic properties, which could be delivered with a thorn. During the subsequent combat Tlotoxl encouraged Ixta to make it a duel to the death once Ian was scratched by the thorn. Barbara was able to prevent this.
Later, Ixta attacked Autloc, High Priest of Knowledge and close ally of Barbara, in an attempt to frame Ian and further discredit Barbara. As the time travellers made their escape into the tomb to retrieve the TARDIS, Ixta and Ian fought for a final time. Ixta fell from the summit of the tomb to his death.
Played by: Ian Cullen. Appearances: The Aztecs (1964).
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