Aztecs Ch. 8

Question 1

What was the order of the Aztec Hierarchy?

Answer 1

Top: Emperor, Second: Nobles, Priests, Third: Merchants, Soldiers, Artisans, Fourth: Farmers, Fishers, Women, Last: Slaves.

Question 2

What three roles did the Emperor have?

Answer 2

1. Head of State; leader.
2. Commander-in-Chief; army
3. Chief Priest; highest ranked priest.

Question 3

what percent of the people does the nobility class hold?

Answer 3

10 - 15%

Question 4

What were the jobs of a merchant?

Answer 4

To trade things and act as spies.

Question 5

What quality did Artisans have?

Answer 5

They were Skilled Craftsmen.

Question 6

What did farmers do?

Answer 6

They were skilled hunters/fishers. They would work on chinampas.

Question 7

What was the job of an Aztec woman?

Answer 7

cook, clean, educate, care for children, and potentially go to war as a doctor/healer. They got married at the age of 16.

Question 8

How were slaves seen?

Answer 8

It wasn’t shameful to be a slave, just bad luck. They had laws to protect them. It wasn’t a permanent position.

Question 9

How could a slave be free?

Answer 9

If the slave escaped their owner and got to the Emperor’s palace without being caught, they were immediately free. Children who were birthed by a slave mother were automatically free.

Question 10

What was a calpoli?

Answer 10

These were similar to guilds (groups of people either family or similar work). There were a leader and council selected.

Question 11

What was the job of the council of a calpoli?

Answer 11

Assigned houses, kept the area clean, had responsibilities, had political power, and collected taxes.

Question 12

What were the 5 qualities of a model citizen?

Answer 12

1. Modesty
2. Self-sacrifice
3. Obedience
4. Courage
5. Clean Living

Question 13

Who was punishment most harshly? Why?

Answer 13

The nobles because they were supposed to set an example.

Question 14

What were judgements based off?

Answer 14

Evidence.

Question 15

Why were there laws?

Answer 15

To keep order

Question 16

What items showed your status?

Answer 16

Clothes, jewelry, houses

Question 17

Could you move up in society?

Answer 17

Yes. If you captured 4 or more prisoners in war

Question 18

What were the different names for schools, and for who?

Answer 18

Calmecac - Nobles Telpochcalli - Commoners

Question 19

What were the differences between schools?

Answer 19

Oral and music learning, memorize everything, physical labour, go to school at ages 10-15, didn’t know how to read or write = Telpochcalli.
Could read and write, used glyphs, only memorized things related to their future jobs, became a soldier at age 15 (followed and watched a soldier until then) = Calmecac.

Question 20

What about women?

Answer 20

They went to school until 15, married at age 16, cared for and educated children, could be sent to war as healers/doctors due to their knowledge of medicinal herbs.

Question 21

What kind of headdresses did warriors wear?

Answer 21

Eagle and jaguar

Question 22

What was the point of war?

Answer 22

To capture prisoners for sacrifice.

Question 23

Why was sacrifice significant?

Answer 23

It was needed to please their gods. Since their gods were greatly worshipped, sacrifice was VERY important.

Question 24

What were punishments for a crime?

Answer 24

Fines, enslaved, death (executed)

Question 25

What punishment would a child get for being disobedient?

Answer 25

Inhaling fiery smoke

Question 26

What was the significance of mountains?

Answer 26

They brought the Aztecs closer to their gods. They became significant. That’s why temples were built as pyramids (the shape of a mountain).