What was the Aztec society?
In Aztec society, when a baby boy is born his umbilical cord is buried in a battlefield and his parents place a tiny bow and shield in his hands to symbolize his commitment to protesting Aztec people. When a baby girl is born, her umbilical cord is buried under the fire place.
The two main classes in the Aztec society were nobles and commoners and most people in these classes were born into them. However, people could work their way up the classes; with Emperor being the highest. The Emperor was often treated like a God to the Aztecs. The Emperor was rewarded luxury and privileges.
All members of different Aztec clans were broken up into units called calpolli. They all lived in the same neighbourhood and worshipped at the same temple. The council of the calpolli assigned land and houses to the residents and collected their taxes. They had the very important role of keeping their neighbourhood clean.
The two main classes in the Aztec society were nobles and commoners and most people in these classes were born into them. However, people could work their way up the classes; with Emperor being the highest. The Emperor was often treated like a God to the Aztecs. The Emperor was rewarded luxury and privileges.
All members of different Aztec clans were broken up into units called calpolli. They all lived in the same neighbourhood and worshipped at the same temple. The council of the calpolli assigned land and houses to the residents and collected their taxes. They had the very important role of keeping their neighbourhood clean.
Merchants - Merchants were the richest calpolli in Tenochtitlan. Merchants often went on trading expeditions and brought back prized goods to sale at the markets and acted for spies for the Aztecs to gather information. Merchants had much knowledge on geography and the layout of the outsides of the city.
Farmers - Farmers grew crops; but they were also skilled hunters and fishers. They sold much of what they grew and caught at the market. Farmers were also required to donate a certain number of hours of labour to working on growing crops and hunting for projects for the state.
Artisans - Artisans were skilled craft workers, goldsmiths, mask makers and feather workers. most of what artisans made were made for the higher ranks in the community since they were considered very valuable. Tropical birds with bright coloured feathers were made into head dresses, fans, and tunics and used to decorate shields. A beautiful and unique bird called the quetzal bird was prized and admired by many because of their uniqueness and beautiful coloured feathers.
Farmers - Farmers grew crops; but they were also skilled hunters and fishers. They sold much of what they grew and caught at the market. Farmers were also required to donate a certain number of hours of labour to working on growing crops and hunting for projects for the state.
Artisans - Artisans were skilled craft workers, goldsmiths, mask makers and feather workers. most of what artisans made were made for the higher ranks in the community since they were considered very valuable. Tropical birds with bright coloured feathers were made into head dresses, fans, and tunics and used to decorate shields. A beautiful and unique bird called the quetzal bird was prized and admired by many because of their uniqueness and beautiful coloured feathers.
All children were required to get an education by the time they were 10-15 years old. Boys learnt how to fight and become warriors in order to grow up and become a soldier in the Aztec army. Until then, they served as a soldiers assistant. Women could become doctors/healers and go to war with the men and attend to any wounds. Women could also become priestesses.