Aztec- society Flashcards
Tlacotin
lowest status of the Aztecs
Toltecah
An artisans, involves making things by hand
Pochteca
long distance trader and spies
held a position of high status in society
Mayeques
poorest peasants that were farmers that worked of the nobles
Macehualtin
middle class commoners
Priests
authorized religious leaders to perform the rituals.
the Eagle Knights and the Jaguar Knights
group of soldiers in the army of the Aztecs
2 military orders reserved for the nobility that gained sufficient honor.
Tecutin
ruled smaller areas than tlatoque
A leader under the Emperor that ruled smaller atelpetl (City-state). They kept records of tributes and managed the marketplace, important resources.
Tlatoque
ruled major towns and cities with empire.
Hereditary
when something is passed on based on inheritance or family line.
Council of Wise Men
A group of people made up of the greatest warriors and priest in their calpullis (Clan) to elect the emperor.
Chief of Internal Affairs
Was closes advisers to the emperor.
huey tlatoani
Emperor- the great speaker
Pipiltin
the upper class of the Aztecs or nobility
Triple Alliance
associations or union between three the city-states City-
states of Texaco co through an agreement that unified the Aztec’s kingdom.
Calpulli
clans of the Aztecs. group of people that belonged to an altepelt (city-state.)
altepetl
city-states
How did the structure of Aztec society tell us what was important to the Aztec people?
Structure of the Aztecs society tells us that decisions, respect for the Emperor was important for the Aztecs.
Draw the Aztec social hierarchy. How was it different from the feudal hierarchy of Europe?
Difference between the feudal hierarchy and the Aztec social hierarchy is that:- In Aztec social hierarchy, women were aloud to divorce her husband, and get her children’s custody, where is in Europe, women had to stay with her husband no matter what.
- Another reason is that you can move classes, for example if you were a commoner and a great soldier, you could be a emperor.
1) Emperor: the leader came from nobles
2) Nobility: people in political power and wealth.
3) Middle class: Merchants, Assistants, and warriors
4) lower class: farmers, fisher, lab ours
5) Slaves
Similarities: smaller group were on top and lower pyramid had a greater population, Same order but with different names, careers of each group are the same. Priest still have a major influence on king.
Difference: Individuals could move up and down the pyramid, Children in slavery was not born into slavery, Elected not born.
How did the emperor become the emperor?
elected by the Council of Wise man.
Describe the responsibilities of the emperor.
Responsibilities of an emperor was to make positive decisions for the society and the city-states. Also he was supposed to a role model for the society. Also keeping records of newly conquered lands, the tribute held in warehouses, and what tribute was owed.
2 jobs:
Commander of the Army
Head of State:
How did a person move up in status?
To move up in status, you would have to go to wars and
achieving success, get prisoners for human sacrifice (3 or 4).
Achieving success on battlefield became eligible for membership in higher social status.
What were the three signs of status?
1 sign to show if you are a slave is that you would have to wear this chain until you pay your debt.
2 sign to show your status was:if your house is right beside Tenochtitlan, you will higher status than your neighbor.
3 sign to your status was that your clothing style. If you ave a plain while shirt and the other person have a printed shirt that means they have a higher status.
How did the structure of Aztec society tell us what was important to the Aztec people?
The social structure of the Aztecs tells us that religion was very important. The emperor was thought the “be a god” and that with that should always obeyed. Again we can see religion as important as the priests had very high status and even the emperor would listen to their every direction in hopes to keep their culture alive. Warriors having a high status and being able to move up in status as great warrior tells us that warfare was important to the Aztecs and it was linked very close to religion which again demonstrates the importance about religion. Long they brought back with them about enemies also show that warfare was important.
