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Aztec Life
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Mainly agrarian people, or farming people
Divided into nobles and commoners
Nobles made up 5 to 10% of population
Slaves were the lowest class
Slaves could marry, own property, and buy
their freedom if they could afford
• All Aztec children went to school for at
least a few years
Economics
• Commeners life mainly consisted of
farming and household duties
• Others were artisans and traders though
• Artisans and traders held a respected
position in society
Aztec Rule
• Aztec states were led by a powerful king
• The king was from a royal family, but was
chosen by a council of nobles
• New kings had to go to war to prove his military
skills and win a tribute
• The kings had four military advisors and one
prime minister
• Judges, clerks, and tax collectors were under
royal advisors
• They maintained control through war, tribute,
and sacrifice
Religious Beliefs
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Tribute was essential to Aztec rule
Government and religion were closely linked
They worshiped hundreds of Gods
Huitzilopochtli was most important god, kept
the sun in the sky, brought success in battle
• Aztecs believed he would become weak
without human sacrifice
• The supreme God was called Tezcatlipoca
Ritual Sacrifice
• They sacrificed thousands of victims each
year
• They cut out their hearts and offered them
to the Gods
• Used stone calendars to plan sacrifices
• Human sacrifice was a form of political
control
• Victims were prisoners of war
Aztec Stone Calendar