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Aztec Society
Aztec Society
• Highly Structured
• Based on agriculture, trade
and guided by religion.
• Aztec societies dominated
by Pyramids topped with
temples where human
sacrifices provided the
Gods with the human blood.
Tower devoted to the Gods
Sacrifice
Throwing victims down the stairs
Aztec Society
• Hierarchical
3 Social Classes
Pipiltin
(Upper Class)
Macehualtin
(Commoners)
Mayeques
(Commoners)
Nobility
Middle Class
Peasants
Tlacotin (Slaves)
High Ranking Warriors
High Ranking Priests
Nobility
• The Ruling class
• Top positions in government,
army and priesthood
• Emperor was Number 1
• Expected to conduct
themselves exemplary
• Punished more severely if
they were disobedient
Commoners
• Middle Class
(Macehualtin)
• Could improve status by
gaining recognition in the
military, becoming a priest,
merchant, artisan or trader.
• Warriors were seen as
equals to the Nobility.
Commoners
• Peasants (Mayeques)
Worked land of the nobles
Built and maintained temples
Paid taxes and tribute. They were allowed
to keep what was left over
Commoners
Tlacotin (Slaves)
- Lowest of the low
- Nobody born a slave –
sold self if they could not
afford to pay debts
- Owners only owned the
work they did
- Slaves could buy back freedom
Priests
• Boys from all classes could
study to become priests
• Top Ranking positions
reserved for the Pipiltin
• Most important job is to
offer Human Sacrifice to
the Gods
• Men in priesthood did not
marry
• Women Priests received
specific jobs worshiping
Goddesses
Gender Roles
Women
- Cared for household and family
- Could not have a position of power
- Could do crafts, run businesses and control
their own property
- Received legal protection from marital abuse
- If marriage ended women had automatic
custody of children
Gender Roles
Men
Did physical work and were
forced to join the army when
soldiers were needed.
Children
Start work at roughly age 5
Girls married in mid-teens
Boy married in late teens/
early twenties
Education
• Free for all
• Separate schools for
nobles and the
Macehualtin
• Schooled from early
teens till marriage
• Taught religious rituals, singing
dancing and music
- Passed traditions from one generation
to the next
- Most information passed through stories
Gender Roles in education
• Boys and Girls were taught separately!
Boys Learned
Girls learned
Occupational skills
History
Religious practices
Characteristics of good citizenship
Elements of warfare
How to be a warrior
To manage households
for their spouses
Spinning and weaving
Morality
Religion
History
Traditions