What was the Aztecs political structure?

The Aztec empire was made up of a series of city-states known as altepetl. Each altepetl was ruled by a supreme leader (tlatoani) and a supreme judge and administrator (cihuacoatl). The tlatoani of the capital city of Tenochtitlan served as the Emperor (Huey Tlatoani) of the Aztec empire.

What type of society were the Aztecs?

Day of the Dead The Aztec civilization was also highly developed socially, intellectually and artistically. It was a highly structured society with a strict caste system; at the top were nobles, while at the bottom were serfs, indentured servants and enslaved workers.

What was at the top of the Aztec social structure?

Aztec society was divided into five main social classes. At the top of the class structure were the ruler and his family. Next came a noble class of government officials, priests, and high-ranking warriors. The third and largest class was made up of commoners, citizens who were not of noble rank.

How did the Aztecs maintain political and social power?

In general though, the Aztec were subjects of the more powerful Tepanec and Aztec leaders were only allowed to remain in power by paying tribute to the Tepanec. Also, during this time period, Aztec rulers increased the power of their society by forming strong alliances with other societies around Lake Texcoco.

How was the social structure of the Aztec empire similar to the social structures of Latin America under European colonialism?

Making Comparisons How was the social structure of the Aztec Empire similar to the social structures of Latin America under European colonialism? Both systems were highly structured with the majority of people at the bottom in each system. The Aztecs were ruled by an emperor and military officials.

How did the Aztec social structure Honour the gods?

Priestesses also performed many ceremonies, prayers, songs, incantations, and divinations in honor of the gods as well. Their responsibilities included reading the calendar and interpreting the Sacred Calendar, divining the incantations to the gods, reading horoscopes, and making sacrifices and offerings to the gods.

How did Aztecs move up in society?

Two common ways to move up in the ranks of society were through the priesthood or through the military. Slaves who escaped their masters and made it to the royal palace would be set free. Slaves could have possessions including other slaves. The traveling merchants were often employed by the Aztec government as spies.

Did Aztec society have social mobility?

Whilst it’s true that Mexica (Aztec) society was strongly hierarchical, social mobility – both downwards and upwards – was not just possible, but surprisingly widespread. Thus a new institutionalised mechanism was created for social mobility, for improving one’s position in society…’ The plan worked.

How did the Aztecs maintain political control?

Through marriage alliances with ruling families in other city states, the Aztecs began to build their political base. In 1428, the Aztec ruler Itzcoatl formed alliances with the nearby cities of Tlacopan and Texcoco, creating the Triple Alliance that ruled until the coming of the Spanish in 1519.

Did the Aztecs have a government?

The Aztec government was similar to a monarchy where an Emperor or King was the primary ruler. They called their ruler the Huey Tlatoani. He decided when to go to war and what tribute the lands he ruled would pay the Aztecs. When an emperor died, the new emperor was chosen by a group of high ranking nobles.

What were the 5 social classes of the Aztecs?

Aztec society was composed of eight different social classes which were made up of rulers, warriors, nobility, priests and priestesses, free poor, slaves, servants, and the middle class. The most important of these were the tlatoani (rulers), warriors, nobility, and the high priests and priestesses.

What kind of economy did the Aztecs have?

Aztecs. The Aztec economy was based on agriculture and trade. Agriculture provided a great variety of fruits and vegetables, such as tomatoes, chili peppers, pumpkins, and beans, necessary to feed the high number of inhabitants in the empire.

What was the social organization for the Aztec?

Social organization The most basic social division in Aztec society was that between nobles (Nahuatl pīpiltin) and commoners (Nahuatl mācehualtin). Nobles held a large number of privileges not shared by the commoners, most importantly the right to receive tribute from commoners on their land.

What was the social structure of the Aztec civilization?

The Aztec social structure was a hierarchy of classes in which people had specific roles, and these roles included the noble class, commoner class and slaves. In most cases, each class included different types of people, often based on profession. The priests had specific rules, such as celibacy and temperance.

What were the two main social classes Aztec culture?

Aztec culture Social classes in Aztec culture. There were two main social classes in Aztec culture. Growing up Aztec. The Mexica people of the Aztec empire had compulsory education for everyone, regardless of gender or class. Adult Aztec culture. The noble class had a variety of vocations open to them. Everyday life. Age and death.

How was the social class system in the Aztec Empire?

The Aztec Empire had a strict social structure that was identified with nobles, commoners, serfs, or slaves. The social structure was also identified with boys and girls . Boys would receive a wider education than the girls and were taught how to fight and become a leader.